Our 2026 Pride of Detroit Community Mock is well into the second round (track each pick here) and has reached the Detroit Lions and pick No. 50 overall. After selecting Utah right tackle Spencer Fano at pick No. 17 in the first round, I am back on the clock for the Lions’ next pick.
As we do every year in this exercise, we picked a handful of players that Lions fans may want the team to select and published a poll for the community to vote on. As of publishing, the results of this poll show that the majority
of votes have landed on edge rushers T.J. Parker (Clemson) and Gabe Jacas (Illinois), with only a fraction of a percentage separating the vote.
As is tradition, I made my selection before the voting began, but my vision aligns with the fan base, and with pick No. 50 in the 2026 NFL Draft, I have the Detroit Lions selecting…
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Entering the 2025 season, Parker’s stock was soaring, and he was considered to be one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 draft class (if he declared as a true junior). He was coming off a 2024 season in which he led Clemson in sacks (11) and tackles for loss (19.5), and set a new school record with six forced fumbles.
Unfortunately, Clemson’s 2025 season was a catastrophic disaster, as they failed to meet expectations across the board. Parker—along with most of Clemson’s defensive starters—saw his production decline and his draft stock tumble. Parker went from being viewed as a potential top-10 pick to now being considered a late first to mid-second rounder.
Draft analyst rankings
- Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com): 24th
- Jordan Reid (ESPN): 28th
- Todd McShay (McShay Report, via Ringer): 28th
- Dane Brugler (The Athletic): 31st
- Trevor Sikkema (most recently with PFF): 34th
- Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): 6.29 grade (Equivalent to a second-round pick in this year’s class)
Excerpt from Jeremiah’s rankings:
“Parker is an intriguing edge rusher with the versatility to slide inside. He had a monster 2024 campaign (11 sacks) but saw his production drop off this past season (five sacks). He is a rugged pass rusher with a powerful shake/bull move coming off the edge. He can jolt blockers with his hands before separating and closing the distance with the quarterback. He doesn’t have an elite burst when rushing outside, but his quickness plays better when he rushes inside. Against the run, he can generate knock-back power at the point of attack and he’s adept at keeping opponents’ hands off his frame. Overall, Parker wasn’t quite as impactful in 2025, which ultimately could lead to a real value selection for his drafting team, but he did help himself with a strong week at the Senior Bowl.”
Excerpt from Brugler’s “The Beast”:
“Parker is still learning how to unlock counter maneuvers, but he offers a reliable foundation built on leveraged power and a consistent motor that helps him make plays as a rusher and run defender. He projects as a solid NFL starter, similar to Jabaal Sheard.”
Measurables
(Note: I added Parker’s 10-foot-0 broad jump to his official RAS card to generate an updated “unofficial” score.)
Overall, Parker fits the mold of what the Lions look for in an edge, both in body frame and athletic potential. His height is similar to that of former Lion Al-Quadin Muhammad, though he checks in 10 pounds heavier, putting him in the same ballpark as DJ Wonnum (260), Ahmed Hassanein (267), and Payton Turner (268), as well as former Lions Marcus Davenport (264), Josh Paschal (268), and Tyrus Wheat (263).
From an athletic standpoint, Parker’s 1.61-second 10-yard dash (measuring quickness off the snap) matches that of Aidan Hutchinson, while Parker’s 10-foot-0 broad jump (measuring explosion) exceeded Hutchinson by three inches.
Schematic fit and statistics
- 2023 (13 games): 32 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks,
- 2024 (14 games): 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 6 forced fumbles
- 2025 (12 games): 39 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
- Awards: Freshman All-American (2023), set a school record for forced fumbles (2024)
As mentioned in the introduction, Parker saw a massive dip in production in 2025, but his overall resume remains respectable. In total, Parker averaged over a half-sack per game—three-quarters of a sack per games started—while producing more tackles for loss (41.5) than games played (39).
As a speed-to-power rusher with the ability to set a strong edge, Parker is a stylistic fit in the Lions’ scheme (regardless of whether they adapt it or keep it the same) on the opposite edge from Hutchinson. His long-arm pass rush move can be lethal, but he could use a few more pass rush counters in his tool bag. That being said, he would arguably be the best pure pass rusher the Lions have lined up across from Hutchinson in the past four seasons.
Time to grade the Lions’ pick. Offer a score in the poll below and share your expanded thoughts in the comment section:
