The 2026 NFL Draft is two weeks away, and instead of talking about the guys the Detroit Lions will draft, let’s spend some time talking about the guys they almost definitely aren’t going to.

It’s UDFA time, Lions fans! Let’s talk about the guys who are not likely to get drafted, but could be signed by the Lions after the draft. Here are our favorite candidates:

Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech

For us, it’s all about the possibility of the Lions having their own version of Taysom Hill, and that is exactly what King could be for the Lions. I’m talking about a practice squad guy you can elevate against certain teams and run some trick plays with. King can move on his feet, and he can catch the ball. He can throw, too. He is a quarterback after all. This would be fun. He also has some premium backup upside.

Tyre West, DT, Tennessee

West came in for a top-30, and he’s been gaining a lot of attention. He still might not get drafted, though. But he could be a priority free agent for the Lions and pretty much everyone else. There should be a scramble for him. He’s mostly an interior guy, but he has some big edge possibilities, too.

Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan

Another guy the Lions have had in for a top-30 visit. Rolder has some strong Will linebacker possibilities. Like, there are thoughts that he could potentially be a starter in the NFL there someday. He’s very instinctive and reactive, and if he had more playing time at Michigan, we could be talking about a guy who would get drafted. But he only has one year as a starter.

Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska

We’ve mocked Wright to the Lions in the seventh round here and there a few times this year. He’s right on that edge where he could get drafted, or he could be a UDFA. Wright has some solid coverage skills, and there is some versatility to his game as well. The Lions love a guy who can do more than one thing.

Patrick Payton, Edge, LSU

Payton is a developmental guy whom the Lions can try to grow off the practice squad. He’s a big, tall edge who might need to put on a little muscle, but he’s a guy who has some upside worth taking a look at.

Uar Bernard, DT, Nigeria

An absolute freak athlete. There aren’t many defensive tackles who have six percent body fat and a 10′ 10″ board jump. The obvious thing here is that Bernard is very raw and has very little football experience. You’re going with the possibility that maybe you can help him realize the potential. That is, if a team doesn’t draft him first.

Miles Kitselman, TE, Tennessee

Tight end is the one spot I can’t really figure out for the Lions. On paper, it looks like they’re all set. But you never know, they might want more. Kitselman is a really good run blocker, and I think the Lions need more of that from their tight ends.

Shad Banks Jr., LV, UTSA

The intriguing thing about Banks is that he was a junior olympian. The guy can run pretty well. He does need to work on his coverage skills, and he really only has two years of starting experience. He also had an injury that ended his time at TCU before he transferred.

Detroit Lions News

Top 25 Prospects For The Detroit Lions In The 2026 NFL Draft: If the Lions wind up with any of these guys, they had a good draft

Mike Payton April 8, 2026