7-Round Detroit Lions Mock Draft: After the many things we learned this week, the vision for the draft is clearer
So many things came to light in the last few days that really change the outlook of how the Lions may go about their draft
We’re less than a month away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and a few things are becoming a little clearer about what the Detroit Lions might do early in the draft. Here’s a seven-round mock draft that shows what we’ve learned this week.
Trade down with the Bills
Trading up in the first round just doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Lions. There are some good players up there, but trading down and adding to the Lions’ picks early makes more sense at the end of the day. The Bills wanted to move up for Clemson’s Peter Woods, so they offered this, and I took it.
Lions get: 26th and 126th picks
Bills get: 17th pick
26th pick: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Two things have become clear in the last week and change. The first one is that the Lions are thinking of stopping the run before anything else, but the pass rush is cool, too. Mesidor presents a guy who is very good at doing both of those things. The other thing we learned is that maybe the Lions are really considering starting Larry Borom at right tackle, and because of that, their urgency to find that next tackle as early as possible drops a bit. Luckily, the class is deep.
Trade up with the Chiefs
But maybe not deep enough to wait until 50 to get the guy the Lions go for here. He possibly could have made it since his average draft position is 40, but why take the chance? The Lions packaged together a deal to move up in the second round.
Lions get: 40th and 210th picks
Chiefs get: 50th, 126th pick, and a 2027 seventh-round pick
40th pick: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Lions get their right tackle of the future with Miller. He can come in and compete right away with Borom, and maybe he doesn’t win the job immediately, but he’s a guy you can see taking the spot by the bye week or definitely in 2027. Miller is one of the most experienced tackles in the draft.
118th pick: Jaishawn Barnham, Edge, Michigan
This isn’t necessarily the Lions doubling up on edge. In the draft, although he can do that. What Barnham can really bring to the Lions is the ability to play the Sam linebacker role. Considering they’ve already talked to him and other edge rushers about it, it makes sense that they’d draft someone for that role.
128th pick: Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
While I think Roger McCreary has the starting slot job on lock right now, the Lions have a chance to improve their depth there and get a guy who can compete for that job immediately. Canady started there for the Ducks in 2025 and allowed a passer rating of just 41.8. This guy can play.
157th pick: Anthony Lucas, Edge, USC
Ok, now the Lions are doubling up on edge. Lucas brings that dual threat ability of being able to rush the passer and stop the run. He just has a lot less experience than Mesidor. But Lucas did start for the Trojans all season in 2025, and he played very well.
Trade up with Steelers
Saw another opportunity to move up and double down on another room, and the Steelers were willing to oblige.
Lions get: 161st and 224th picks
Steelers get: 181st, 205th picks, and the Lions’ other 2027 seventh-round pick
161st pick: Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
While I think Barnham can play that Sam linebacker spot, I really think that York can play the Will that presumably Derrick Barnes is moving to. York gives the Lions a ton of insurance in case Damone Clark doesn’t work out, and Malcolm Rodriguez doesn’t come back in 2027.
- 210th pick: Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech
- 213th pick: Logan Fano, Edge, Utah
- 222nd pick: Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska
- 224th pick: Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
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