7-Round Detroit Lions Mock Draft: Life after David Montgomery

Lions also find their quarterback of the future.

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Apr 26, 2025; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The White team defeated the Blue team 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

The college football season ends this week with the National Championship game between Indiana and Miami. With that in mind, it’s time to get one more mock draft in before the Senior Bowl officially starts the pre-draft process.

Detroit Lions 7-Round 2026 Mock Draft

17th pick: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

We still don’t know what Taylor Decker’s plan is for 2026 yet, but it doesn’t matter. The Lions learned from Frank Ragnow that they have to just act as if the retirement is happening and plan for the future. What the Lions need is another member for their Bloodline.

If Penei Sewell is Roman Reigns, then Mauigoa has everything you need to be the Jey Uso of the gang. We’re talking about a guy who’s allowed two sacks in the past two years, on the other side of a guy who just made another All-Pro team. Mauigoa is a day one starting tackle. The question is, what side does he start on?

Trade down with the Patriots

When I got to the 50th pick, it felt like a good time to close the gap between the second and fourth rounds. The Patriots were nice enough to help with that.

Lions get: 62nd and 94th picks
Patriots get: 50th pick

62nd pick: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

I’ve mocked Young to the Lions before, and it’s because Missouri is a spot 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.

94th pick: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

I know Lions fans are super high on the Grand Rapids native, but at this point, he’s not expected to be a much higher pick than this, and it doesn’t help that he’s actively trying to stay in college.

If he heads to the draft, which looks like something that’s going to happen, the Lions can grab a guy who needs a little bit more time to cook, but has tremendous upside. Jared Goff is this team’s quarterback for the foreseeable future, but in 2028 or 2029, when Chambliss is 26, he could be ready to take the job.

118th pick: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

The Lions are likely to move away from David Montgomery this offseason, and I know Lions fans hate that, but this is just part of the business. Allen is a younger version of Montgomery with the upside to be even more. He runs hard, is shifty, and he can also help out with the pass game as a solid pass protector and receiving threat. It might be Sonic and Tails in Detroit going forward.

155th pick: Logan Jones, C, Iowa

At this point, the Lions likely plan to sign a free agent center or trade for one, rather than finding their next starter in the draft. They need a steady hand on the wheel right now. But Jones can grow into a starter and be a big part of the team moving forward.

  • 180th pick: Bud Clark, S, LSU
  • 187th pick: Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
  • 204th pick: Jeadyn Lukus, CB, Clemson
  • 22nd pick: Jack Velling, TE, Michigan State

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