The Detroit Lions’ offense is loaded with talented skill players, but their offensive line is the engine that makes everything run. That engine looks like it’s headed for a tune-up after an inconsistent performance in 2025 and two starters contemplating retirement. NFL Draft analysts are starting to embrace this concept, and you see the results in recent mock drafts.
Of the 23 mock drafts we examined this week, 12 projected the Lions to take an offensive lineman in the first round. Fortunately for
the Lions, this year’s offensive line prospects appear to line up well with their draft position; they currently hold the No. 17 pick.
If you’re not familiar with how this mock draft roundup series operates, each week we collect data from the latest mock drafts published over the last seven days and compile them (with links to the original pieces) in one easy-to-access article. In addition to providing Lions fans with the names of prospects being paired with Detroit, we also offer commentary that highlights trends, player fits, and the team’s overall philosophy.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to the Lions (who hold the No. 17 overall pick) this week.
Offensive linemen
Francis Mauigoa, RT, Miami (6-foot-6, 325)
Source: Mex Chadwick (PFF), Nicholas Rome (Saturday Blitz), Paul Guillemette (Draft Countdown), Nicholas Rome (Saturday Blitz), Steve Bradshaw (TWSN)
“The Lions would be wise to address their offensive line this offseason, especially with longtime left tackle Taylor Decker contemplating retirement. Detroit gets a potential steal here in Mauigoa. His 86.4 PFF pass-blocking grade is sixth among all FBS tackles this year, while his 78.4 PFF run-blocking grade is 20th. Mauigoa has played right tackle his entire career, but either he or Penei Sewell is capable of switching to the left side.” — Chadwick
Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5, 300)
Source: Justin Melo (The Draft Network)
“Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker is weighing retirement this offseason. The offensive line must be prepared for his potential departure. The offense missed Ben Johnson in 2025. Spencer Fano is a fluid mover in space with short-area athleticism. In this scenario, Fano would transition to left tackle.” — Melo
Ioane Vega, LG, Penn State (6-foot-4, 335)
Source: Charles McDonald and Nate Davis (Yahoo Sports), Jacob Infante (Pro Football Network), Denny (Mock Draft Database)
“The Lions aren’t far from getting back to being NFC contenders, but they’ll need to get a bit more talented on their offensive line to have a more consistent offense to close out seasons and games. Ioane has the size and athleticism that head coach Dan Campbell has grown to covet in his offensive linemen and fits Detroit’s bruising style of play.” — McDonald
Kadyn Procter, LT, Alabama (6-foot-7, 360)
Source: Alec Elijah (Pro Football Network), Ayrton Ostly (USA Today)
“Kadyn Proctor’s sheer size immediately alters the math for the Detroit Lions. Despite his massive build at 6-foot-7, Proctor’s lateral quickness stands out, covering ground efficiently on pulls and climbing to the second level with deceptive ease.
“He displaces defensive linemen with alarming ease, creating vertical movement that opens lanes before backs even reach the line of scrimmage. Against top-tier competition, he’s shown the ability to cave in fronts and impose his will snap after snap. Power rushers simply struggle to move him, and when defenders try to convert speed to strength, they’re often met with immovable resistance.” — Elijah
Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah (6-foot-6, 305)
Source: Dane Brugler (The Athletic)
“It shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Lions address their offensive line early, although I am intrigued by which prospect Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell would see as the best fit.
“I have questions about Lomu’s play strength, which might be an issue for this team in particular, but his above-average athleticism and processing will be strong selling points.“ — Brugler
Erik’s Thoughts:
Of the 12 mock drafts connecting offensive linemen to the Lions, six settled on Mauigoa or Fano, the top two tackles on most draft boards right now. While both would be slam dunk picks, I do wonder if their stock will rise to a point where they’ll be out of the Lions’ reach.
Vega could be a dominating presence inside for the Lions if they desire to shift Tate Ratledge to center, while Proctor and Lomu offer the Lions the opportunity to plan for Taylor Decker’s retirement—whether that’s this year or in the next few. Proctor has the size and play style that the Lions look for in their lineman but he’s still developing his skills, while Lomu is a polished pass rusher who needs to add more play strength. Both have details that need improving, but also have the upside to lock down a starter role for the next five seasons.
While these five names are the most commonly projected in mock drafts, keep an eye out for others to start making their way into the conversation. Georgia left tackle Monroe Freeling and Northwestern left tackle Caleb Tiernan could start getting more love over the next two months.
Defensive tackle
Kayden McDonald, NT, Ohio State (6-foot-2, 326)
Source: Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), Terringo Basile-Vaughan (NFL Mocks)
“The Lions need more punch on their defensive line to support Aidan Hutchinson. McDonald can be a powerful asset vs. the run and also provide some extra inside pass-rush juice.“ — Iyer
Erik’s Thoughts:
While Alim McNeill and last year’s first-round pick Tyleik Williams are in line for starting roles in 2026, the Lions’ desire to stop the run will always have mock drafters pairing them with defensive tackles. Peter Woods from Clemson is typically considered the best interior defensive line player in this class, but McDonald is arguably the class’s best run defender, so expect to see his name connected to Detroit throughout this process.
Edge rusher
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-foot-6, 275)
Source: Steve Serby (NY Post)
“A raw 6-6, 285-pound power player with unrefined pass rush skills to bookend Aidan Hutchinson.” — Serby
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-foot-3, 265)
Source: Mark Schofield (SB Nation), Christian D’Andrea (For the Win), Lou Scataglia (For the Win)
“Detroit needs a pass rusher big enough to hold down the edge and the intelligence to react and adjust as plays unfold. The 6-foot-3, 265 pound Parker qualifies as a valuable counterweight to Aidan Hutchinson.
“Though his numbers tailed off after last year’s absurd 19.5-TFL, 11-sack campaign, he remains a versatile piece with a high ceiling and useful floor. He’s violent at the point of attack, using a quick punch and active hands to shed blockers, though he’s fast enough to win with speed on the edge as well.“ — D’Andrea
Erik’s Thoughts:
In the five or so offseasons that we’ve been tracking mock drafts, this is probably the lightest number of mock drafts projecting an edge rusher that we’ve seen. Some of that is surely due to the projected need on the offensive line, but I believe it also speaks to the edge class being a bit muddled after David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Rueben Bain (Miami).
I do think Faulk belongs in the Tier 1 edge rusher conversation, especially for the Lions’ preferences at the position, but beyond him, there’s a wide range of preferences. For Detroit, fans should keep tabs on Parker, Akheem Mesidor (Miami), and Zion Young (Missouri) as more traditional fits. While pass rushers like Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), and Romello Height (Texas Tech) are electric off the edge, they may not match Detroit’s current defensive playing style.
Defensive backs
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-foot-0, 195)
Source: Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)
“McCoy is a physical corner who can play man on an island and is also comfortable in zone looks. He’s in phase on vertical routes, and in run support he comes downhill looking to thump someone. He’s coming off a January ACL injury, and while he’s yet to get back on the field, he could end up being the best CB in this class.” — Wilson
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (5-foot-11, 191)
Source: Nick Merriam (SI – College Football HQ), Sayre Bedinger (NFL Spin Zone)
“There’s not much Detroit can do about their defensive depth issues other than continue to throw darts at key positions. Delane could end up getting selected much higher than this after an excellent season in the SEC.” — Merriam
Avieon Terrell, CB Clemson (5-foot-11, 180)
Source: Josh Weil (Pro Football Network), Tankathon (Staff)
“The younger brother of All-Pro CB A.J. Terrell checks all of the boxes, skills-wise, to be a starting cornerback in the NFL for a long time, but teams are just worried that he may be too small to go against the best in the world. What Detrout will love is his nose for the big play, as exhibited by his three sacks and five forced fumbles this season. Look for the Lions to bring him in and Terrell to make an immediate impact on a defensive back room that showed how bad it needed depth this season.” — Weil
Erik’s Thoughts:
Mock drafters suggesting the Lions draft a cornerback in the first round have drawn strong reactions from fans. Some welcome the idea, given significant injuries at the position—for the second season in a row—and the difficulties of playing so much man coverage in the Lions’ scheme. Others reject the idea because the Lions have invested significant capital in their secondary, both in the NFL Draft and in free agency, and desire other needs to be addressed. Further complicating things is the fact that this year’s projected top corner, McCoy, is coming off a season lost due to an ACL injury.
While I personally don’t think the Lions would target an outside corner in the first round, it’s still very early in the process, and free agency could certainly throw offseason priorities in a blender. The Lions could certainly use more depth in the secondary, and with Amik Robertson potentially departing in free agency, the Lions may end up with a need for a starting nickel, but I also think that position could be addressed beyond the first round—looking at you, Keionte Scott.
