With the Detroit Lions’ 2025 season coming to a close, it’s time to reintroduce our 2026 Mock Draft series. If you’re not familiar with how this 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.
Essentially, this series is designed to be a relaxed way to familiarize readers with the upcoming NFL Draft class, without getting too deep into the weeds of prospect scouting. So, don’t get too caught up pondering which mock drafter is correct, and instead, use this exercise as a tool to familiarize yourself with some of the prospects that may or may not fit what the Lions are looking for.
In this initial kickoff to the series, we explored 28 mock drafts, and the split was nearly even between players chosen from the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Offensive tackle saw the most projections with 11, guard saw two, and three players were projected at defensive tackle, with five edge rushers and seven cornerbacks rounding out the week.
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: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today), Curt Popejoy (DraftWire), Jeff Ratcliffe (FTN Fantasy), Nicholas Rome (Saturday Blitz)
“Solid to the core in pass protection and a true punisher in the run game, Mauigoa will up the physicality of whatever front he joins. That’s something that Dan Campbell would covet as he tries to re-establish Detroit’s ability to set the tone up front with a stronger interior.” — Middlehurst-Schwartz
Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5, 300)
Source: Daniel Flick (Sports Illustrated), Paul Banks (The Sports Bank)
“Lions left tackle Taylor Decker is contemplating retirement, and while Detroit could—and still may—decide to move right tackle Penei Sewell back to the left side, where he played in college, there’s still a starting spot to fill on the offensive line. The 6′ 6″, 308-pound Fano has experience playing both tackle spots. He has quick feet to mirror speed rushers and handle counters, and he’s effective pulling and climbing as a run blocker.” — Flick
Kadyn Procter, LT, Alabama (6-foot-7, 360)
Source: Nick Baumgardner (The Athletic), Ayrton Ostly (USA Today), Cody Williams (Fansided)
“The Lions could have needs nearly across the board on the offensive line, especially with left tackle Taylor Decker and interior lineman Graham Glasgow pondering their futures. Proctor is still more sizzle than steak, but the potential — like his 6-foot-7, 360-pound frame — is enormous.” — Baumgardner
Ioane Vega, LG, Penn State (6-foot-4, 335)
Source: Mark Schofield (SB Nation), Nate Tice and Charles McDonald (Yahoo Sports)
“A major reason behind the Detroit Lions’ downward turn this year was the struggles in front of Jared Goff. While he posted an Adjusted Completion Percentage of 68.5% when pressured according to Pro Football Focus, tenth-best in the NFL, he was sacked a career high 36 times. Finding some help along the interior is a big need for Brad Holmes, and Detroit gets that in Olivavega Ioane, a bright spot for Penn State this past season.” — Schofield
Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah (6-foot-6, 305)
Source: Jordan Reid (ESPN), Jacob Infante (Pro Football Network)
“It could be time for the Lions to develop a succession plan for left tackle Taylor Decker, who will be 32 before next season and struggled with injuries in 2025. Detroit needs young talent on the offensive line, and Lomu is a 6-foot-6, 304-pound redshirt sophomore who is loaded with potential. He improved his consistency in pass protection this season, giving up only six pressures and zero sacks, but Lomu still needs to add strength to his frame to become a better run blocker.” — Reid
Erik’s Thoughts:
With Taylor Decker contemplating retirement and the struggles the Lions saw on the offensive line this season, it’s no surprise that there was such a heavy lean of predictions on the offensive line. With All-Pro Penei Sewell’s ability to comfortably switch between right and left tackle, the Lions have the luxury to simply pick the best offensive tackle available and adapt. The projected top two offensive tackles in this class finished their college season playing at right tackle, while the rest of the group played on the left side. Both Mauigoa and Fano look like plug-and-play options (who could also kick inside to guard as a rookie if Decker doesn’t retire), while the left tackles in this class will have to overcome flaws as rookies.
If the Lions choose to solidify their interior, Vega (whom our friend of the site, Mark Schofield, recommended) is the best in this class and a perfect scheme/attitude fit. I broke down how the interior line would need to shuffle in order to add a guard instead of a tackle if they drafted Vega, essentially counting on Tate Ratledge to shift inside to center (which the Lions have hinted at being a possibility) and flipping Christian Mahogany to right guard (his natural position).
Defensive tackle
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-foot-3, 315)
Source: Keith Sanchez (The Draft Network)
“The Detroit Lions found out this year that it is tough to have sustained success; if you’re not getting better every offseason, you’re getting worse. I don’t think it’s time to panic in Detroit—it’s just time to tweak and retool. One of those retooling actions that could happen is improving this defense in the trenches. Peter Woods is one of the best players in this entire draft and has the upside to be an impact player early on for the Lions’ defense, serving as a nice one-two punch with Aidan Hutchinson.” — Sanchez
Kayden McDonald, NT, Ohio State (6-foot-2, 326)
Source: Todd McShay (McShay Report), Rob Rang (Fox Sports)
“General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have prioritized brute size, strength and physicality along the line of scrimmage, but that didn’t keep the Lions from slipping to 14th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed in 2025 after ranking fifth in this critical category a year ago. With injuries and inconsistency plaguing Detroit’s middle, the club could see McDonald — this draft’s best run-stuffer — as an immediate upgrade.” — Rang
Erik’s Thoughts:
With Alim McNeill under contract and last year’s first-round pick Tyleik Williams potentially being under contract through 2029, it seems a bit unusual for the Lions to consider taking another defensive tackle in the first round. DJ Reader and Roy Lopez are both pending unrestricted free agents, so the Lions could use depth, and general manager Brad Holmes loves a “best player available” approach to the draft, but this would appear to be a bit of overkill at the position with several other more obvious holes on the roster.
That being said, Woods entered the season as the projected No. 1 prospect on several pre-season draft boards, illustrating his upside, while McDonald is the best run stuffer in this class and fits the Lions’ scheme like a glove.
Edge rusher
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami (6-foot-3, 250)
Source: Danny Kelly (The Ringer)
“The Lions add another kneecap-biting defensive lineman in Bain, a tough and powerful pass rusher with a tenacious, high-motor style. The Miami star wins as a rusher with a combination of explosiveness, powerful hands, and enough bend to dip past offensive linemen. He’s a solid run defender who can contribute on all three downs for Dan Campbell and Co.” — Kelly
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-foot-6, 275)
Source: Jeff Risdon (RealGM), Tim Crean (Clutch Points), Joe DiTullio (The Game Haus), Nick Gray (The Tennessean)
“Faulk fits the ‘crush the can’ style of pass rush Detroit favors as a virtual physical clone of pending free agent Marcus Davenport, sans injuries. The Lions only have two DEs (Aidan Hutchinson and perennial healthy scratch Mekhi Wingo) on the roster after stripping away free agents, and as good as Aidan Hutchinson might be, he can’t be a solo act.” — Risdon
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-foot-2, 249)
Source: Nick Merriam (SI Fan Nation – College Football)
“Not many teams will consider Howell this highly, but he brings a pass-rush element the Lions currently lack. Dan Campbell values high-motor players, and Howell has one of the best in this draft.” — Merriam
Erik’s Thoughts:
When exploring this edge rushing group, there seem to be three players who have separated themselves from the rest of the group. Texas Tech’s David Bailey was off the board in most mock drafts before the Lions were on the clock, but Bain and Faulk should be mentioned in the same breath. Bain is going to check in a bit undersized, but it’s easy to see his impact, while Faulk would fit the Lions’ scheme perfectly, but isn’t as flashy.
This is higher than I would project Howell, especially for the Lions, but PFF thinks very highly of him, so it’s not surprising to see him get some first-round love—I just don’t see it as a clean fit in Detroit.
Defensive backs
Jermod McCoy, CB Tennessee (6-foot-0, 195)
Source: Bleacher Report (Staff), Eddie Brown (San Diego Tribune), Luke Hubbard (Essentially Sports)
“Despite not playing this past season, McCoy’s tape still ranks among the class’ best. He’s incredibly athletic and physical, which allows him to play both man and zone with smooth transitions.
“The 6’0”, 193-pound corner is long, twitchy and displays excellent closing speed. He can cover multiple wide receiver skill sets, while locking down his side of the field. His physicality transitions to the run game, too, as a fantastic tackler.
“McCoy is the kind of defensive playmaker Lions head coach Dan Campbell will love.” — Daniel Harms, Bleacher Report
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (5-foot-11, 191)
Source: Michael Renner (CBS Sports), Fran Duffy (DNVR), Lou Scataglia (NFL Spin Zone), Cayden Steele (NJ.com), Chris Gregory (Rotoballer)
“Delane was the best man corner in college football this fall, and the Lions are one of the man-heaviest teams in the NFL. While the Lions have options in the pipeline, like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, they’ve yet to prove anything meaningful two years in.” — Renner
Erik’s Thoughts:
With D.J. Reed missing nearly half the season due to injury, Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw finishing the season on injured reserve, as well as Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin being unrestricted free agents, it’s easy to look at the Lions’ roster and say they need cornerback help.
If the Lions elect to go back to the NFL draft for help, McCoy and Delane look like they could be the top options in this draft class, and both could be available when the Lions are on the clock. Even if the Lions elect to incorporate more zone coverage in the future, they will still want the option to play man against specific teams, and both McCoy and Delane look capable of filling those requirements.
