The NFL Combine is done and over with, and now we get ready for the next step in the offseason, NFL free agency. But first, let’s do a post Combine mock draft for the Detroit Lions based on what we learned in Indianapolis.

Trade down with Texans

The Lions’ picks are just really spread out uncomfortably. There’s a lot of ground from 17 to 50, and then there’s even more ground from 50 to 118. You know what would make everyone feel more comfortable? An extra second-round pick courtesy of the Texans. Here’s what the deal looks like:

Lions get: 28th and 59th picks
Texans get: 17th and 180th picks

28th pick: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Coming out of the NFL Combine, there was no player I was higher on, and there was no player who fit the Lions more in my opinion than Mesidor. He’s coming off a big season with 55 pressures, nine sacks, and a 90.5 run defense grade. He’s going to be 25 when the draft goes down, but this guy is ready to play right now. The Lions don’t need to think too deeply into the future on this one.

50th pick: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Now, here’s the spot where the Lions can afford to take their time and develop a little bit now that Taylor Decker is coming back in 2026. The former basketball player is new to football, but you wouldn’t know that based on how he’s played in the last two years. In 2025, he allowed just 14 pressures and no sacks. This is not a project player in the sense that Giovanni Manu is, but this is a player who can cook just a little bit more while Decker is the starter for one more year. He can also come in and play Dan Skipper’s role this year.

59th pick: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

The Lions are set at cornerback with D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold on the outside, but they need a slot corner, and Ponds is the best guy in the draft for that need. He played mostly on the outside, but his size, speed, and abilty is probably better in the slot in the NFL. The guy is small, but he plays like he’s 7-feet tall. The size is not a problem. Not even against bigger receivers. He allowed a passer rating of 55.4% in 2025.

118th pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt

It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve mocked Louis to the Lions, and it probably won’t be the last. Louis just fits everything this team wants to do at the Will. He can cover, he can be a ball hawk, he can pass rush, and he can hit the hit stick. I just can’t say enough about him. The only fear is that he might not be here at 118.

155th pick: Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

The blocking could be better, but the Lions find themselves another strong pass-catching tight end with Koziol, and they’re going to need another guy with that ability in Drew Petzing’s system. The good news is that he did show better blocking at Ball State. If he’s able to bring that to Detroit, it’s a double threat.

Lions trade 187th pick to Colts for Anthony Richardson

We wrote a whole story last week about how the Lions are probably the best landing spot for Richardson. I stand by that piece. The Lions’ coaching staff is built to rebuild a quarterback. There are so many former NFL quarterbacks and former quarterbacks coaches on this staff. It’s just perfect. Plus, the price is not much to pay, and the Lions get a 23-year-old quarterback who they might be able make something out of for the future.

204th pick: Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska

You can never have too many cornerbacks. Wright just had a great Shrine Bowl week working with Lions defensive quality control coach Dre Thompson. I think they look to see what else they can do with him.

222nd pick: Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

I find this player to be interesting because he’s kind of like Sione Vaki in the sense that he did more than one thing in college. He was like a superback at Navy. He can be a running back, he can be a fullback, and he can be a tight end. The Lions don’t have a player like this and with the 222nd pick, why not try it out?

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