7-Round Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Rebuilding the trenches and run game

The Lions can turn it all around in the trenches with these picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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The Detroit Lions’ 2025 season is basically over, so let’s do a mock draft! Are you feeling down? Do a mock draft.

Are you eating your feelings after Sunday’s loss? Do a mock draft instead. Are you having marital problems? Sit down with your spouse and do a mock draft. Here’s mine:

Trade down with the Bills

I took the opportunity to secure an additional second-round pick by just moving down a few spots with the Bills. Here’s what was agreed to:

Lions get: 24th and 56th pick
Bills get: 17th, 205th and 255th picks

24th pick: Kaydn Proctor, OT, Alabama

I’m telling you, this is the guy right here. If the Lions walk out of this draft with Kaydn Poctor, they will not feel bad about Taylor Decker retiring if that happens.

Even if Decker stays, Proctor should probably be the pick for them. He just fits what this team wants to do on offense so well. His athleticism allows him to do Penei Sewell-type stuff, like getting downfield and blocking for Jahmyr Gibbs. Brad Holmes and the Lions have been out to Alabama to watch him this season, too.

49th pick: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Missouri is another spot we know the Lions have had scouts watching this season, and you have to believe that Young caught their eye.

This season, he’s racked up 48 pressures and eight sacks in the SEC. The other big thing is his 27 run stops. He is one of the best run-stopping edges in the country, and that is right up the Lions’ alley.

56th pick: Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon

I’m not going with a center because I believe the Lions are sticking to their guns and moving Tate Ratledge to center in 2025, and that opens up a spot at right guard.

The Lions can take Emmanuel Pregnon and have him play the right guard spot, or keep him on the left and move Mahogany. Miles Frazier is good, but he should be the do-all guy off the bench. He can play essentially any spot. You want a guy like that to be available.

117th pick: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

Whether it’s this offseason or next, the clock is ticking for David Montgomery and the Lions. I hate to see it as much as you do, but all things come to an end, even Sonic and Knuckles.

Kaytron Allen is a hard-running and shifty guy, much like Montgomery, but is a younger and cheaper option. This year, he led the nation in rushing touchdowns with 15 and ran for 1,303 yards in the Big Ten. He can play.

  • 156th pick: Carson Beck, QB, Miami: While Goff is still playing at an MVP level, the Lions need to at least start thinking about the future a little bit. Beck has a lot of upside that can be developed over time.
  • 195th pick: Christian Gray, CB, Notre Dame: You can never have too many cornerbacks. Every GM lives by that motto.
  • 230th pick: Jack Velling, TE, Michigan State: Do all that you can to prevent the tight end situation the Lions are going through from happening again.

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