Detroit Lions Upcoming 2026 Draft Picks (7)
The Lions desperately needed a tackle with Taylor Decker gone, and there was some discussion that they’d move up for Kadyn Proctor. Instead, they get Blake Miller, who fills an obvious need. I would have preferred Monroe Freeling over Miller, but I can see why Detroit would make this move. He’s a great athlete with lots of upside, but needs to get stronger for the pros, so he’s a project of sorts.
Yuck. I thought the Lions were going to trade up for Zion Young or Gabe Jacas. All of these talented edge rushers seemed like the Lions were going to fall to the Lions at No. 50. Yet, they moved up six spots for … Derrick Moore? The Michigan edge rusher was productive in school, but he’s undersized, so I definitely ranked him behind the other edge rushers. Horrible!
The Lions lost a linebacker in free agency, so a replacement makes sense at this spot. Jimmy Rolder is a quality tackler, but struggles to cover. He hasn't started many games. Still, he's someone I had in the fourth round, so this is a fine pick.
Keith Abney is a small cornerback but projects to play very well in the slot. The Lions have had issues with their cornerbacks recently, and they're taking a quality prospect with value at this choice.
Kendrick Law is a speedy slot receiver. The Lions obviously already have someone to play in the slot, but this is insurance in case Amon-Ra St. Brown gets hurt. I had Law as a Round 6-7 player, however.
Skyler Gill-Howard is extremely explosive, but happens to be very undersized. Injury history is a concern as well. If it wasn't for the injuries, he would have gone around the fourth round, so you could argue the Lions are getting some value.
Tyre West has a good motor and versatility, but he's undersized. I had West going to the Lions at No. 213, so I have to support this selection. The Lions need more pass rushers, so this pick makes sense.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/23/2026 - View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1
The Lions became a powerhouse through their great offensive line play. That has changed, with one of the reasons being Taylor Decker's departure. Decker must be replaced. Monroe Freeling is a reliable pass protector and a capable run blocker. He has good size and could become a left tackle in the pros. *** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: *** 1. Kadyn Proctor, OT - Another offensive lineman who makes sense for the Lions. 2. Kedric Faulk, DE - We were told long ago that the Lions liked Faulk, but they have bigger needs now. Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, if you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look. Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It's $7.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!
Round: 2
The Bears have elite blocking, so the Lions will need as many potent pass rushers as possible to crack through the Chicago offensive line. Gabe Jacas is a strong and quick defensive end, capable in run support and as a pass rusher.
Round: 4
Cornerback injuries were a big problem for the Lions, so here's some depth. Malik Muhammad showed some intriguing athleticism at the combine. Pick change; previously Seth McGowan, RB
Round: 4
Jared Goff is getting up there in age, so the Lions will have to find a young quarterback. Taylen Green has great athleticism and arm strength, but is extremely raw as a passer. Some teams believe he should move to receiver.
Round: 5
The Lions really missed Frank Ragnow last year, so they'll have to find a new center. Pat Coogan is limited in athleticism, but he's a tough run blocker who has been reliable in pass protection.
Round: 5
The Lions may want a better backup at tight end in case Sam LaPorta gets hurt again. Nate Boerkircher isn't much of a receiver, but he's a terrific blocker. He'll be a 25-year-old rookie. Go to 2026 NFL Mock Draft by Charlie Campbell Go to 2027 NFL Mock Draft by Walter Cherepinsky
Round: 6
It's hard to imagine the Lions not adding a running back after losing David Montgomery this offseason. J Jaydn Ott is a versatile running back built for the NFL. He has great vision, but comes with injury concerns. Pick change; previously Andre Fuller, CB
Round: 6
The Lions will be interested in adding more pass-rushing talent on Day 3. Tyre West has a good motor and versatility, but he's undersized.
Round: 7
Another cornerback makes sense for the Lions, who had severe injury issues at the position. Andre Fuller is well built and fast, but is extremely raw.
Past Grades and Selections
2025 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
D I said we’d see some bizarre picks in the 20s, and here we go. Tyleik Williams was a mid-second-round prospect at best, so I don’t understand why Detroit drafted him at No. 28. This is a reach. It’s not an insane reach, but definitely a reach. There were definitely better options at this spot.
B+ The Lions wanted to address guard in the first round, but they couldn’t land Tyler Booker or Donovan Jackson. They finally get their guard in the second round. Tate Ratledge’s pass protection is worrying, but he’s a great run blocker. He makes sense in this range.
MILLEN The Lions moved up for Isaac TeSlaa!? I don’t mind the prospect, as TeSlaa is an athletic player with upside, but I had him in the fourth or fifth round. I’ve heard some evaluate him in the seventh. There was no reason to trade up for TeSlaa, who easily could have been available late in the third.
A Miles Frazier could have gone earlier than this with no complaints. The Lions won't complain, as they wanted to draft a guard in the first round. There's a chance Frazier could start sooner rather than later.
B Ahmed Hassanein was a very productive player at Boise State. He lacks height and length for the NFL, but perhaps he can defy the odds and become productive for the Lions. He's a project, but could pan out, especially with having an attitude Dan Campbell loves.
C Dan Jackson is another prospect who wasn't on the radar as a draftable player, so we're reached that time of the draft. The Lions are just getting this player for special teams.
B Dominic Lovett has size limitations and figures to just be a slot receiver in the NFL. The problem is that Amon-Ra St. Brown plays there, so Lovett will be blocked, barring injury. Still, he should do well on special teams.
2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A+ I bet the Lions were absolutely shocked that Terrion Arnold was still on the board at No. 24. He wasn't going to last until No. 29, so I like Detroit moving up five spots to land someone who was considered the top cornerback in the draft by some. Detroit desperately needed a cornerback in the wake of Cam Sutton's arrest, and Arnold seems like an instant upgrade.
A+ The Lions may not have trouble stopping the pass much longer. I love that they're attacking cornerback, given how much of a weakness it has been in the past. Ennis Rakestraw provides amazing value because he was discussed as someone who could sneak into the end of the opening round. I'm surprised he lasted this long.
MILLEN Sorry, Lions fans, for giving you a Millen grade, but this isn't the best selection. Giovanni Manu is a late-round prospect, so had Detroit made this pick a round later, I wouldn't have minded it. However, surrendering a third-round pick in 2025 to get him is a huge mistake. A huge, kielbasa type of mistake.
C I don't think the Lions needed to trade up for Sione Vaki, who fits the range as a fourth-round prospect. Vaki is just a mediocre prospect, but he does fill a need, as Detroit needed to find more help for the secondary.
A+ I love Jaylin Simpson as a prospect. He's a highly instinctive safety who can challenge for a starting job right away. Simpson needs to bulk up, but this is a great pick, as I thought Simpson could be chosen in the third round.
B- I had Micah Abraham as my Mr. Irrelevant, so while this is a reach, it's not a very egregious one in the middle of the sixth round. The need makes sense for the Colts, who had to find another cornerback.
A I love this pick, as the Texans are adding an element to their offense they didn't possess. Jawhar Jordan is a small back who can't handle a full workload, but he has explosive ability and can go the distance, much like Keaton Mitchell.
A Here's a nice bargain for the Texans. LaDarius Henderson was projected to go a round or two earlier than this. He can play both guard and tackle, though he'll likely have to settle for the former in the NFL. Protection for C.J. Stroud had to be added.
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A The Cardinals had to move up ahead of the Raiders to draft Paris Johnson. This is the prospect Kyler Murray wanted, so it's hard to hate this selection. Arizona had to find someone to protect Murray, given that Murray hasn't been able to play a full season in the NFL yet. No one could have hated the Cardinals for picking Johnson at No. 3, so moving down three spots for him was great management.
B- I had Jack Campbell going to the Lions in the second round. However, this is not like the Will McDonald selection because I've had Campbell going in the 20s on occasion, as we knew there was some interest from teams in that range. Campbell will also fill a huge need for Detroit. Still, I wish the Lions would have traded down for Campbell.
B I'm not sure why the Buccaneers moved ahead of the Steelers for Cody Mauch, given that Pittsburgh drafted an offensive lineman yesterday. Still, this is a solid pick. The Buccaneers had a huge need on the offensive line, and Mauch is a rock-steady, plug-and-play guard.
C- The Chiefs traded up, so they must have gone after one of the Tennessee receivers. Apparently not. Rashee Rice projects as a solid No. 2 receiver in the NFL, unlike Jalin Hyatt. Given how many talented receivers were still available, I don't know why Kansas City thought it had to trade up, especially for this player.
B+ The rebuilding process is about to begin for the Titans, who could be trading Derrick Henry in the near future. Tyjae Spears is a complete back who could take over as the starter in the near future. He makes sense in this range.
C+ This is a bit early for Colby Sorsdal, whom I never had in my mocks. However, Sorsdal was a solid right tackle and a team captain. He could provide good depth on the offensive line.
B The Packers obviously needed a receiver, and they're getting a decent prospect in Dontayvion Wicks. The Virginia product has some speed concerns, but he's a tall, lengthy receiver who could be a good weapon in the red zone.
B- The sixth round is the right range for J.L. Skinner, who is a safety-linebacker tweener. He may not have a natural position in the NFL, but he should be able to play special teams well.
C+ Keondre Coburn is not someone I had in my mocks because there is concern with him being able to keep his weight under control. He has potential as a solid run stuffer, however.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B+ Grade
The Lions did not expect to land Aidan Hutchinson a couple of weeks ago. Hutchinson was chalked to go to the Jaguars back then, but things changed since then. Jacksonville selected Travon Walker, allowing Hutchinson to fall to Detroit. Hutchinson is not an elite pass-rushing prospect like Chase Young or the Bosa brothers, but he's just a notch below. He's the best player available for the Lions, so this is the right choice. It would've been better had Detroit been able to trade down, but that wasn't really a possibility.
B Grade
The Lions traded up from No. 32 to 12 for a quarterb- no, wait, that's not right. These are the Lions we're talking about. They've moved up for a receiver. The Lions using mulitple resources on a receiver ... where have we seen that before? Look, I love Jameson Williams as a prospect, minus the torn ACL, but surrendering resources to a divisional opponent for a non-quarterback is irresponsible. That said, the Lions aren't giving up as much as initially expected, so I don't hate this move at all! I don't know what the Vikings are thinking here.
C Grade
I don't hate this pick, but I think it could've been better. The Lions already addressed their edge rush with Aidan Hutchinson, and I thought Josh Paschal would go toward the end of the second round, so I don't love this value. There were better players available who filled bigger needs.
C+ Grade
I wonder if the Nick Cross pick influenced this because I think Kerby Joseph was a slight reach, though not really an egregious one. Joseph is talented, but is a one-year wonder, so there's some concern in that regard. Still, the Lions needed help in the secondary, and Joseph could help.
A- Grade
The Lions are concerned about not being able to retain T.J. Hockenson past the 2022 season, so this pick makes sense from that regard. It's also a solid value choice, as James Mitchell could've gone in the fourth round with no complaints.
A Grade
I love this value for the Rams. I had Daniel Hardy pegged as a fifth-round prospect, as he was a highly productive player at Montana State. The Rams needed a replacement for Von Miller, so perhaps Hardy can contribute at some point.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A+ Grade
I imagine the Lions are shocked that Penei Sewell made it past both the Bengals and Dolphins. This is a no-brainer selection. It could be argued that Sewell was the best player not named Trevor Lawrence in this class. Detroit has a huge hole at tackle, which Sewell will fill very nicely. Detroit's next quarterback - probably someone from next year's draft - go here for my 2022 NFL Mock Draft - will be thrilled to have Sewell blocking for him.
B Grade
The Lions maintained one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last year, so it's not a surprise to see them address that with this pick. I was never really a fan of putting Levi Onwuzurike in the first round because of his pass-rushing limitations, but he makes sense near the middle of the second round. This is a solid pick.
B Grade
This is a much better pick than Dallas' selection of Nahshon Wright. Like Wright, Ifeatu Melifonwu is a tall cornerback, but he's actually a good player. He'll be a liability in run support, but he could end up being a solid starter across from Jeff Okudah.
B Grade
Amon-Ra St. Brown was productive at USC, and he obviously helps fill a huge need for the Lions, who have nothing at receiver. However, I had St. Brown a bit later on Day 3, so I'm not wild about this value. Still, this is a fine selection.
B+ Grade
Here's another linebacker for the Browns to help neutralize Lamar Jackson. Tony Fields is an undersized player, and he's not very athletic, but he was very productive at West Virginia. I had him in the fourth round in some updates.
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