🏈 Lions NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Expert Mock Draft Picks, Team Needs, Best Fits & More
After a 9-8 step back following their historic NFC Championship run, the Detroit Lions hold the No. 17 pick and have a glaring hole at left tackle after parting ways with Taylor Decker - a problem they need to solve before Jared Goff takes another snap behind this offensive line.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Lions' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Detroit will draft in the first round, which begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Lions draft picks 2026
See where the Lions rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No. 17 |
| 2 | No. 50 |
| 3 | No pick |
| 4 | No. 118, 128 |
| 5 | No. 157, 181 |
| 6 | No. 199, 205, 213 |
| 7 | No. 222 |
🆘 Lions team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: OL, EDGE, LB, DB, DL
- Key additions: Larry Borom (OT), Isiah Pacheco (RB), Damone Clark (LB), Roger McCreary (CB), Tyler Conklin (TE)
- Key departures: Taylor Decker (OT), Alex Anzalone (LB, Buccaneers), D.J. Reader (DL), Zach Cunningham (LB), Dan Skipper (OT, retiring)
Left tackle is the obvious priority after Decker's departure left a gaping hole on Goff's blindside - Detroit was 31st in pass block win rate last season (55.5%). Finding an edge-rushing complement to Aidan Hutchinson is almost as important, and the linebacker corps needs reinforcements even after adding Clark. Borom provides a short-term stopgap on the line, but GM Brad Holmes needs a long-term answer at tackle in this draft.
🏈 Lions draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Lions' best prospect fit in a dream scenario, their safest pick, and their best upside pick tonight:
| Pick type | No. 17 pick | Grade | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | Spencer Fano, OT, Utah | 7.20 | It's not unrealistic that Fano could fall because of his lack of length, but if he's there when Detroit's on the clock, he's a perfect pick for them to plug in at tackle opposite Penei Sewell with his rare movement skills |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Blake Miller, OT, Clemson | 7.05 | If the Lions want a player that checks pretty much every box, Miller is a perfect pick for them with his athleticism, length (34 1/4" arms), and durability (he started 54 games at Clemson) |
| 🚀 Upside pick | Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia | 7.10 | Arguably the best combo of traits and size at tackle in the draft, Freeling can be a devastating run blocker with his ability to reach the second level, but he's one of the more raw projected first-round tackle prospects |
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📝 Lions mock draft consensus picks
I went through the final mock drafts from 10 top experts across the industry and gathered their NFL mock draft consensus picks for the Detroit Lions' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's who they expect Detroit to draft:
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (No. 17) |
| Peter Schrager (ESPN) | Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 13) |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) | Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (No. 17) |
| Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) | Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 17) |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (No. 17) |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 17) |
| Mike Renner (CBS Sports) | Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (No. 17) |
| Tice & McDonald (Yahoo) | Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State (No. 17) |
| Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) | Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 17) |
| Rob Paul (Sportsbook Review) | Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (No. 17) |
🎯 Lions first position drafted
Prediction market via Kalshi. You can use our Kalshi promo code for a $10 bonus by signing up today. Market subject to change.
Detroit was 31st in pass block win rate last season and needs an offensive tackle after releasing Taylor Decker. This is one of the strongest points of agreement among our NFL mock draft consensus picks, and the market agrees with a roughly 75% chance of the Lions drafting a tackle first tonight.
I broke down the latest NFL draft position odds for all 32 teams ahead of the first round.
🔮 Lions draft prediction 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 17: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
- Pro comparison: Kolton Miller
- Measurables: 6'7" | 315 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 9.99
It would be a shock if Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell don't target an offensive tackle in the first round, and Monroe Freeling has the most tantalizing athletic tools among the available options. Though just a one-year starter, the way Freeling moves and climbs to make second-level blocks jumps off the tape. He's raw and needs time to develop in pass pro, but adding Freeling at right tackle (with Penei Sewell shifting to the left side) would give Detroit two of the freakier athletes at offensive tackle.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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