🏈 Lions NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Mock Draft Picks, Best Prospect Fits, Team Needs & 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 Thursday 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 for Thursday:
| 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 |
More scouting reports & player profiles
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jeremiyah Love draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Lions mock draft consensus picks
I went through the latest mock drafts from other top experts across the industry and gathered their predictions for the Lions' first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Here's who they expect Detroit to draft at No. 17:
| Source | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia |
| Chad Reuter (NFL.com) | Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (at No. 13, trade up) |
| Mike Renner (CBS) | Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Blake Miller, OT, Clemson |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia |
| Charles McDonald (Yahoo) | Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State |
This might be the most unanimous position call in the entire draft: all six mocks we surveyed have Detroit selecting an offensive tackle. Georgia's Monroe Freeling is the most popular name with three projections, followed by one each for Blake Miller, Spencer Fano, and Max Iheanachor. Paul's prospect fits list is all tackles, too - the only question is which one falls to No. 17.
🔮 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
Ever since rumors of Taylor Decker's potential retirement (before he was released), the Detroit Lions have been linked to offensive tackle prospects. Luckily for Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, there are several offensive tackles worthy of being mid-first-round picks. Here they land one of the fastest risers in the class, Monroe Freeling, a freak athlete who explodes to the second level as a run blocker. While he needs to improve his leverage and hand placement, the athleticism is enticing.
🏈 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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