With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the annual tradition of immediately looking ahead to the next draft cycle to see what your favorite team might do (they almost certainly won’t) in the next offseason. While this exercise is meant to be fun and entertaining, I always recommend using it simply as a tool to help get you familiar with some of the more intriguing potential draft prospects in the next cycle.
We’ve been exploring this exercise for some time naw at Pride of Detroit,
and while we can anticipate what the Detroit Lions’ needs may be in 2027, not a single “way-too-early” mock draft has accurately predicted who the Lions will take in the following year’s draft.
In 2020, draft analysts looked ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft, and most expected the Lions to take a wide receiver; they instead took Penei Sewell. The way-too-early 2022 mock drafts had the Lions giving up on Jared Goff and grabbing a quarterback of the future; in reality, they took Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams. The 2023 way-too-early mock drafts stayed on the quarterback train, but the Lions secured Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell. By 2024, the way-too-early mock drafts gave up on quarterbacks and shifted to defensive trenches, and while they picked the right side of the ball, the Lions drafted corner Terrion Arnold (one mock did have the Lions taking an Alabama CB, but they projected it to be Kool-Aid McKinstry). The 2025 way-too-early mock drafts expected the Lions to pick an edge, but they went with defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. As for the 2026 way-too-early mock drafts, we saw predictions of edge, guard, wide receiver, corner, and offensive tackle. And while the final mock we looked at got tackle correct—the Lions took OT Blake Miller—they projected it to be Oregon’s Isaiah World… who just went undrafted.
This look ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft is sponsored by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, who have the Lions listed as +1800 to win this year’s Super Bowl, +850 to win the NFC Championship, and +150 to win the NFC North as the current favorites.
Pick No. 24: Cayden Green, OL, Missouri
Source: Luke Easterling (Athlon Sports)
“The Lions are well-known for their explosive weapons on offense, but the engine doesn’t run if they don’t hold things down in the trenches. Green has a ton of upside with his physical traits, and the versatility to slide inside to guard, where Detroit would have a more immediate need.” — Easterling
Pick No. 18: Will Heldt, EDGE, Clemson
Source: Michael MiddleHurst-Schwartz (USA Today)
“The Lions traded up in the second round to take Derrick Moore as Aidan Hutchinson’s running mate, but it might be hard to resist first-round options next year. One promising possibility could be Heldt, who was talented enough to change the mind of noted transfer holdout Dabo Swinney. If the 6-6, 260-pound edge rusher continues to develop after posting 7 1/2 sacks last season, he could enjoy the draft surge that many of his former teammates missed out on in this cycle.” — Middlehurst-Schwartz
Pick No. 23: Mario Landino, DT, Indiana
Source: Curt Popejoy (Draft Wire)
Pick No. 25: Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon
Source: Brian Bosarge (Draft Countdown)
No. 19: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
Source: Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News)
“The Lions have some free-agency issues around the corner in their linebacker corps, and getting the active Villamu-Asa would boost their big plays through coverage and blitzing.” — Iyer
Pick No. 22: Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
Source: James Dator (SB Nation)
Pick 24: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Source: Nicholas Rome (Saturday Blitz) and Zach Bachar (Bleacher Report)
“The 2026 season will be a pivotal season for some of the Detroit Lions’ young cornerbacks as the team pushes for a Super Bowl. Mississippi State star Kelley Jones has a massive frame with elite speed, which could make him an instant star at cornerback in the NFL.” — Rome
Pick No. 23: KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Source: Cooper Petagna (CBS Sports)
“A former five-star and steady contributor in Kirby Smart’s defense, Bolden brings the run-pass versatility and instincts demanded of a first-round safety. While this may be a bit rich, his football intelligence and ability to play multiple spots in the secondary should strengthen his case.” — Petagna
Recap
Like last year’s way-too-early mock draft, predictions are all over the map for the Lions. Detroit has done a nice job of solidifying their offense, so it’s not a surprise that only one mock draft had them taking a player on that side of the ball. That projection for a guard also makes some sense, as that is arguably the Lions’ biggest question mark right on offense right now.
As for the defensive projections, the Lions received predictions at every major position, pointing to the fact that their defense is still a bit unpredictable. Not only do the Lions approach defense in a unique way, but they also have long-term injury concerns and contracts that will expire or are at risk of being terminated. That being said, those concerns are likely why the Lions used five of their seven 2026 draft picks to address that side of the ball.
