Detroit Lions 2026 draft preview

 

Detroit Lions Draft Picks

1st Round # 17

2nd Round # 50

4th Round #118

4th Round (Texans) #128

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 (Mauigoa, Freeling, Fano, Miller, Proctor, Iheanachor)

Defensive End (Faulk, Parker, Young, Jacas, Moore)

Linebacker (Rodriguez, Allen, Hill, Golday, Trotter, Rolder, Perkins, Gentry)

Safety (Scott, Haulcy, Kilgore, Clark Ramsey)

Cornerback (Ponds, Johnson, Muhammad, Everette, Igbinosun, Cisse, Rivers)

Defensive Tackle (Banks, Jackson, Capehart, Ball, McClellan)

Tight End (Delp, Klare, Hibner, Bentley, Raridon, Klein)

Running Back (Johnson, Singleton, Heidenreich, Connors)

Guard (Ioane, Bisontis, Pregnon, Farmer, Dunker)

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.

Detroit Lions draft preview QB/RB

 

The Lions have 6 running backs under contract. However, a middle to late round pick could be used to supplement the position group.

Players that could interest the Lions:

The Penn State backs Allen and Singleton are intriguing. Singleton is the younger more athletic of the two. He is known as a very hard worker. Johnson is 22 and is a three down back. There are many older backs in this draft. Many are 24 and older. 

Quarterbacks

Lions have two QB under contract. A developmental player in the mid to late rounds is possible.

Players that could interest the Lions:

I have two Cole Payton and Haynes King. Payton is a one year starter with excellent tools. A perfect developmental candidate. King is an NFL athlete who could play a role without being the starter.