2026 Detroit Lions draft picks

 

1st round #17

Blake Miller OT Clemson
6066 317 34 3/8 arms 5.04 32 32" 905 4.65 7.75
54 starts at Clemson 52 at right tackle 2 at left tackle
Team Captain, 2 time All-ACC Freshman All-American
Set the Clemson records for offensive snaps in a career. (3778)

Hometown: Strongsville, OH

22 years old

Analysis:

A solid, tough player. Should slide into the right tackle. Long arms, good athlete.

Very Durable. Should be a great fit in Detroit. 

Round 2 Pick #44

Derrick Moore DE Michigan

6037 257 30" 907

53 games 24 starts 95 tackles 21 sacks 3 FF 8 pd

Team Captain All-Big Ten Senior Bowl

Hometown: Baltimore

Age 23

Analysis:

Had an excellent senior year at Michigan. A solid all around three down end. Played very well at the Senior Bowl which boasted his stock. The Lions traded a fourth round pick to move up from 50 to 44. 

Likely to pick ahead of the Ravens.

Round 4 Pick #118

Jimmy Rolder LB Michigan

6024 238 17 36" 911 4.26 7 

43 games 11 starts 118 tackles 2 sacks 1 int

Hometown: Chicago

Age 22

Analysis

A one year starter at Michigan and played very well. Excellent tackler, low missed tackle percentage. Best fit is at Will LB. Has the potential to be a three down LB and a replacement for Anzalone. 

Round 5 Pick #157

Keith Abney CB Arizona State

5097 188 4.45 15 4.38 6.91

34 games 26 starts 98 tackles 6 int

All-Big 12 Junior

Hometown: Waxahachie, TX

Age: 21

Analysis: 

a two year starter at outside corner for ASU. He has excellent ball skills and is noted as intense worker. Lacks height and arm length. Should start on the special teams and step in when the injuries hit.

Round 5 Pick #168

Kendrick Law WR Kentucky

5113 208 4.45 21 42" 1008

Kentucky 12 games 8 starts 53/540/3 rec

Alabama 34 games 8 starts 33/343/1 rec

Hometown: Shreveport, LA

Age: 22

Analysis:

Excellent athlete with return ability.  Played gunner on the punt team. Played at the East-West Shrine game. Should compete with Lovett for the a receiver spot.

Round 6 Pick #205

Skylar Gill-Howard DT Texas Tech

6005 280 5.06 27 30.5 907 4.73

Texas Tech 6 starts 13 tackle 1/55/1 int

Northern Illinois 25 games 1 start 76 tackles 5.5 sacks

Northern Iowa 4 games 3 tackles

Hometown: Milwaukee

Age: 24

Analysis:

a 3 technique who has been described as a great leader. A captain at Northern Illinois and a noted Big brother at Texas Tech. Quick, plays with great energy. Injured ankle caused him to miss the last half of the season. He will compete for backup snaps at defensive tackle.

Round 7 Pick #222

Tyre West DT Tennessee

6017 283 4.84 20 33" 903 4.84

48 games 5 starts 65 tackles 10 sacks 2 FF American Bowl Senior Bowl

Hometown: Tifton, GA

Age 23

Analysis:

Had an excellent senior season at Tennessee. Can play both end and 3 tech. Was called in late into the Senior Bowl and had an early impact. Will compete for snaps at end and tackle. 

UDFA

Luke Altmyer QB Illinois

6016 211 4.72 32" 906

Illinois 35 games 632/986/21 7607 57 td 293/741/12 rush Senior Bowl

Ole Miss 9 games 28/54/3 317 3 yards

Hometown: Starkville, MS

Age 24

Melvin Priestly OG Illinois

6030 317 5.56 18 24" 708 5.06 32 1/4" arms

Illinois 26 starts Hula Bowl

Grambling State 22 games 15 starts

Hometown: East St. Louis, IL

Played right tackle at Illinois and left tackle at Grambling. He will have to move inside for a chance. 

Miles Kitselman TE Tennessee

6051 251 4.9 34.5 908

Tennessee 48 games 24 starts 48/558/6 rec East West Shrine game

Alabama 19 games 2/18 rec 

Hutchinson: 6 games 2/16/1 rec

Hometown: Lyndon, KS

Age 24

Analysis: 

Big in-line tight end. Can block and do enough in the pass game. He had surgery for a sports hernia. He will compete for a spot at the third TE.

Eric O'Neill DE Rutgers

6021 247 4.81 27 35.5 909 4.4 7.38

Rutgers 12 games 37 tackles 2.5 sacks

James Madison: 13 starts 52 tackles 13 sacks

LIU 25 games 22 starts 133 tackles 15.5 sacks

Hometown: Staten Island

Anthony Lucas DE USC

6054 260 34 3/8" arms

USC 31 games 19 starts 73 tackles 3 sacks East West Shrine game

Texas A&M 7 games

Hometown: Scottsville, AZ

Age: 22

Aidan Keanaaina DT Cal

6031 321 5.17 24 27.5 809 4.67 7.58 32 1/8 arms

Cal 26 games 101 tackles 2.5 sacks 1 Fr

Notre Dame 11 games 11 tackles 0.5 sack

Hometown: Brighton, CO

Eric Hunter LB Morgan State

6023 224 4.45 37"1010 4.28 33 1/8" arms

Morgan State 45 games 298 tackles 3 int 7 ff American Bowl HBCU Legacy

Hometown: Capitol Heights, MD 

De'Shawn Rucker CB SFU

5091 192 4.38 18 37" 1008 4.31 7.27

South Florida 24 games 100 tackles 1 int 1 FF American Bowl

Tennessee 24 games 2 starts 14 tackles

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL

Aamaris Brown CB UNLV

5094 197 4.53 34.5 1008

UNLV 13 starts 52 tackles 4/117/2 int 3.5 sacks

South Florida 28 games 70 tackles 4 int

Kansas State 13 games 15 tackles 1/7 fr

Hometown Tampa

Detroit Lions 2026 draft preview

 

Detroit Lions Draft Picks

1st Round # 17 Blake Miller OT Clemson

2nd Round # 44 Derrick Moore DE Michigan

4th Round #118 Jimmy Rolder LB Michigan

5th Round #157

5th Round #181 Compensatory

6th Round #205 (Jags)

6th Round #213

7th Round #222 (Browns)

The Lions need to acquire at least one third round pick. Plenty of quality linebackers and defensive backs will be available. Possibilities include a trade back from 17 to the mid twenties and/or trading up using the the third day picks.

Positional Priorities

Tackle (Miller)

Defensive End (Moore)

Linebacker (Rolder, Perkins, Gentry)

Safety (Kilgore)

Cornerback (Rivers)

Defensive Tackle ( Capehart, Ball)

Tight End (Bentley,)

Running Back (Johnson, Singleton, Heidenreich, Connors, Jam Miller)

Guard 

Detroit Lions Draft Preview Secondary

 

The Lions have many of their corners back from 2025. Amik Robertson signed with the Commanders. He was replaced by Roger McCreary. Both outside corners struggled in 2025. Reed looks like a major free agent bust while Arnold and Rakestraw look like major draft busts.  The corner draft is deep with players who can contribute to be find in the third round.

Players that interest the Lions:

Ponds is my favorite player. An Antonie Winfield type player. Small but makes plays. McCoy tore his ACL in January 2025. He missed the entire season. Johnson could go in the first. The next six guys are early NFL starters. Potential with the group that follows. The Lions have been linked to Demmings. He impressed at the Senior Bowl and has the size and speed. 

Safety

An unexpected need for the Lions. Kerby and Branch both have major injury concerns. The Lions signed Christian Izien and Chuck Clark to compete with Thomas Harper and Avonte Maddox. A pick in the middle rounds is possible but not a lot depth for the later rounds in this draft.

Players that could interest the Lions:

Scott is a good player but is 25. I Like Haulcy and Kilgore both are first day starters. Clark is one of my favorite players but is 24. Ramsey and Wheatley are possible starters in the third round. Smith is a center fielder but a poor tackler. Good special team players remain on day three.

Detroit Lions Draft preview Linebacker

Lions have five linebackers under contract: Anzalone left to Tampa leaving a hole at WILL. Rodrigo struggled upon his return from two knee surgeries.  Barnes was one of the worst players on a bad defense. He will need a position change. A player with speed and special teams ability would bolster this unit. Don't be surprised if the Lions draft multiple linebackers in this draft. 

Players that could interest the Lions:

Rodriguez would be ideal. He won't be around at 50. Allen is a missile. Can run and hit. Hill is a three down backer who makes plays.  Golday has Anzalone size but not known for his coverage. Perkins is really intriguing. A tweener who played edge and off the ball. Louis and York lack size. Many good special teams players are available late in the draft. 

Detroit Lions draft preview Defensive Line

 

Defensive End:

A major need for the Lions. Four players under contract with only Hutch long term. Wonnum has starting experience and is tough against the run. Payton Turner is a complete shot in the dark. Adding players to the rotation is must. A first or second round pick is needed to draft a capable player as a rookie.

Players that could interest the Lions:

The Lions target Ends that are 6'5" and 270 Lbs. Faulk would be an ideal for their scheme. Only 20 years old, he has the size and burst to play all three downs.  Young has the size but has off field issues. Jacas is a little light but can rush the passer. Derrick Moore is a possible pick at 50. Barham would have to play SAM linebacker for the Lions. Overton is a Josh Paschal like player. 

Tackle

The Lions lost their two nose guards from 2025. DJ Reader has not re-signed, Roy Lopez returned to the Cards. Williams will move to the Nose. McNeill, Levi, Lacy and Wingo return at 3 tech. Lions could use a backup nose and depth across the line.

Players that could interest the Lions:

Banks took a visit to Allen Park. Big with movement skills, Plays tall at times but has potiental. Miller probably goes in the second. Jackson has the size the Lions covet. I don't like Hunter, he reminds me of Brod Martin. Harris and Corleone are huge and could go early on the third day.

Detroit Lions draft preview Offensive Line

 

The Lions have begun to overhaul the offensive line. In 2025, the line was poor in almost ever metric. The team released Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow. Skip retired and Yode signed with the Chargers. The Lions signed Cade Mays to play center, Larry Borum at tackle along with Juice Scruggs and Ben Bartch to compete at guard. 

Even with all of that turnover, Early and often investment needs to be made. Lions could potentially take lineman in the first or second round. Probably ending with at least two in this draft.

Tackles

Players that could interest the Lions:

I would feel great with any of the following players at 17: Mauigoa, Freeling, Fano or Miller. Proctor and Max are likely rookie starters as well. Freeling and Proctor are likely left tackles with the others on the right side. The second group would include Lomu and Tiernan. Both may need time to develop. There is a significant drop off after that. Bottom line if you want a starter draft one in the first round.

Guards

Lions have a need at left guard. None of the four players that played last year stood out. Yode and Colon are gone. Mahogany is the returning starter. He struggled early got hurt and was awful upon his return. Frazier was hurt most of the year and his ability is still unknown, A pick in this draft is likely to shore up the position,'

Players that could interest the Lions:

Ioane is one of the highest graded players in the draft. A true left guard he would improve that position for the Lions. Bisontis is a left guard. He could go in the top 40 picks. Rutledge is a right guard. At the Senior Bowl, he was undefeated at right guard and helpless at left guard. 

Center

Lions signed Cade Mays to a three year deal. A true center is probably not what they are looking for. A swing guard who can play center is a possible pick.

Players that could interest the Lions:

Slaughter need size but could play some guard. Parker played tackles at Duke. Burton is a good athlete.

Detroit Lions draft preview WR/TE

 

The Lions do not have a great need at Wide Receiver. Brown, Williams, TeSlaa are under long term contract. A good slot guy who can return kicks would be tempting in the middle to late rounds.

Players that could interest the Lions

Deion Burks is a fast play maker. Wedjen is a tough slot who excels at returns. Many good outside receivers in this draft. Not a great need for the Lions.

Tight End

The Lions top three tight ends are on the last year on their contracts. A mid round pick in this draft seems likely. There is a good depth at this position.

Players that could interest the Lions:

Many actually, I like Hibner, a strong player with speed to attack the seam. Klein from Michigan is a good player but injury prone. Many good in-line blockers in this group if they sign LaPorta long term.