We’re getting very close to the NFL Combine, and that is where we’re going to learn a lot about what the Detroit Lions are really looking for. With that in mind, here’s one more guess of what we think they’re looking for. Let’s jump into this seven-round mock draft.

Trade down with the Steelers

We’ve got a big trade coming up in the second round, and I walked into this thing knowing that I wanted to do it. But I also knew I didn’t want a large gap between the first round and the fourth round. So I made this deal with the Steelers.

Lions get: 21st and 76th picks
Steelers get: 17th pick

21st pick: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

The Lions start this thing off with an edge rusher because, as we know, the tackle class is looking deeper and deeper every day. So here’s a chance to shore up the spot opposite Aidan Hutchinson with a player who can absolutley become a Pro Bowler at the NFL level. He’s coming off a season with 51 pressures and 12 sacks.

Lions trade the 50th pick and DL Mekhi Wingo to the Kansas City Chiefs for CB Trent McDuffie

The time is now. The Lions can’t afford to wait to see if maybe the corner situation they now have is going to work out. They need to lock things up in the secondary, and McDuffie absolutely helps them do that.

This is a win/win for the Lions and Chiefs. Kansas City is in cap hell right now, and Chiefs writer Brandon Kiley suggests that maybe the smartest way out of that is move McDuffie. The Lions would take on his $13 million cap hit in 2026, and they would likely be the team to give the 26-year-old cornerback his big extension.

It’s an added cost for Detroit, but it’s a controlled one. The Lions get a two-time All-Pro cornerback who comes in and starts right away and changes the Lions’ fortunes at cornerback. He and D.J. Reed would be a formidable duo with Terrion Arnold working into the rotation.

In terms of an extension, McDuffie is not going to get top cornerback money. He is very good, but he is not at the elite level of Sauce Gardner or Patrick Surtain. He could get an extension worth up to $90 million. That puts him in the top 10 of the league.

As for the Wingo part of things, he just doens’t fit what the Lions want to do on their defensive line, but he really fits what the Chiefs want to do. He could have a much better career in Kansas City.

76th pick: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa

Here’s your new right tackle. This situation works best if Penei Sewell heads to the left tackle spot. Dunker allowed just 10 pressures and two sacks in 2025. He really fits the Lions in the sense that this is a guy who cannot function in life unless he is hitting defensive players and opening holes. He’s a ball player in every sense of the word.

118th pick: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas

We don’t know what’s going on with Brian Branch or Kerby Joseph yet, but it would be wise for the Lions to get deeper at safety regardless of that. Taaffe is a very good safety who allowed a passer rating of 59.7 last year and had two picks. He was only targeted 18 times. He locked down his side of the field.

155th pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt

The expectation at this point is that Alex Anzalone is likely not returning. If that indeed happens, Louis fits right into his role. He’s good in coverage and can rush the passer as well. He had 60 tackles, three sacks, and two picks in 2025.

• 180th pick: Dalllen Bentley, TE, Utah
• 187th pick: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
• 204th pick: Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska
• 222nd pick: Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech

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