7-Round Detroit Lions Mock Draft After First Wave Of Free Agency: Defensive line comes out looking stacked
The Lions go heavy on the defenisve line
The Detroit Lions’ first wave of free agency is pretty much in the books at this point. There are still a lot of players left on the board, but now is a good time to take a look at what the Lions can do in the 2026 NFL Draft with the signings they recently made in free agency. Let’s jump into it.
Trade down with the Steelers
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? A third-round pick courtesy of the Steelers. Here’s what the deal looks like:
Lions get: 21st and 76th picks
Steelers Get: 17th and 222nd picks
21st pick: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
There he is. The Lions’ next right tackle. Yes, I’m saying right tackle because with Taylor Decker gone, moving Penei Sewell to left tackle is the move Detroit should make. Similar to what the Bucs did with Tristan Wirfs. It’s much easier to find your next right tackle than it is to find your next left tackle. Miller fits the Lions like a glove. He has an attitude and work ethic very similar to Frank Ragnow’s. This dude will get a knee surgery and then play the next week. He’s that kind of guy. A Dan Campbell type of guy.
The fact that he’s been a starter since his freshman year makes things better here, too. The point here is that you want to find a tackle who can come in and play right away and has experience in big games against big teams. Miller is that guy.
50th pick: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
I ran the simulator five times, and he fell to 50 three times. I know it seems maybe a little far-fetched. But at this point, we don’t really know what this draft is going to look like after the first half of the first round. It usually never goes the way we think it will. 2024 is a perfect example of when nearly the entire first half was offensive players.
Like Miller, Mesidor is ready to play right now. He’s an older player at 25 (the obvious reason he would fall), but that works to the advantage of the Lions because they’re not trying to find a player they have to develop right now. They want a guy who can play right now. Mesidor is that guy.
76th pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
I will never stop mocking Louis to this team. You cannot stop me. Nobody can stop me. I am the king of mock drafts, and I sit on high on mock draft mountain, and my will is strong.
Ok, seriously, Louis is just the perfect fit for the Lions. He fits the culture, he lays the wood, he can be a ballhawk, and he doesn’t miss a ton of tackles. It just works. Ask other guys on the beat. They’re all in love with him, too. I think.
118th pick: Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina
Hybrid is the word here. Kilgore is not just a safety. He’s a nickel, he’s an outside corner, he’s a slot corner. He can cut your grass and do your taxes on a Sunday if you need him to. The Lions love positional versatility, and that is what Kilgore brings to the table.
128th pick: Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
Everyone is focusing on edge rushers, but the Lions need interior defensive linemen as well after Roy Lopez left for the Cardinals. Onyedim has some pass-rush ability, but it’s the run-stuffing that really makes him a great addition.
157th pick: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
The Lions can bring in the young 23-year-old quarterback and surround him with a bunch of former quarterbacks and quarterback coaches who can get him ready to maybe start one day, or at least be a premium backup quarterback.
181st pick: Nadame Tucker, Edge, Western Michigan
The Lions add another edge, who had a very productive season in the MAC last year. The only reason he goes this low is that he was at Houston for three years and had trouble getting on the field. There’s a James Houston pass-rush specialist type of player here. Maybe the Lions can get more out of him like they hoped they would with Houston.
205th pick: Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
Had an 82.9 run defense grade in 2025 in the SEC. That’s pretty impressive. He brings next to no pass rush to the table. But you don’t need him to start. You just need him to come in just to stop the run on occasion.
213th pick: Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska
The Lions spent some time with him at the Shrine Bowl. Before he gets picked up as a priority undrafted free agent, the Lions swoop in and grab him. There’s some upside here.