The 2026 NFL Combine is complete, and analysts from across the draft community are eagerly publishing their latest projections of what they believe will happen in the upcoming NFL Draft. Some plugged-in analysts are deciphering information they collected in Indianapolis, trying to accurately articulate what they learned. While some of the more novice analysts are working hard to gather information and avoid the pitfalls of overreacting to the results from the Combine.
In the 60 mock drafts we explored this week, we included established experts, as well as those new to the game, and everyone in between, to help give a full picture of which direction the Detroit Lions could lean come April. Additionally, we saw a near-even split in projections: 29 mock drafts paired the Lions with an offensive lineman, and 31 stuck to defense, with 23 expecting Detroit to grab an edge rusher. The final eight were split between defensive tackle (four), defensive back (three), and linebacker (one).
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With that in mind, let’s take a look at which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to the Lions this week.
Offensive linemen
Francis Mauigoa, RT, Miami (6-foot-6, 325)
Source: Henry McKenna (FOX Sports), Jonny McGonigal and Nick Farabaugh (Penn Live)
“Taylor Decker is returning, so the Lions don’t have a glaring need at the tackle spots. But with the way they operate on offense, it’s important that they never have a glaring need at the tackle spots. So they plan for the future with a tackle that many have as the best offensive lineman in this class.” — McKenna
Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5 1/2, 311)
Source: Ben Raven (MLive), Justin Melo (SI Draft), Tim Crean (Clutch Points), Joseph Hoyt (Dallas Morning News), Pat Fitzmaurice (Fantasy Pros), Cody Williams (Fansided), Scott Smith (4 for 4)
“Taylor Decker announced he’s returning for another season, but Brad Holmes is a smart general manager who addresses needs before they become glaring, especially at premium positions. Spencer Fano is an outstanding pass protector who also executed blocks in a variety of run-blocking concepts. Fano, an NFL Combine star, can play all five positions, which would give the Lions flexibility with Penei Sewell once Decker walks away.” — Melo
Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia (6-foot-7 1/2, 315)
Source: Tim Twentyman (DetroitLions.com), Nate Davis (USA Today), Luke Easterling (Anthon Sports), Daniel Flick (Sports Illustrated), Anthony Rizzuti (Panthers Wire), Bryan Prerz (Bears Talk), Christopher Carter (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), Sean Newcomb (Daily Targum), Fantasy Pros (Staff)
“The Lions love athletic traits in players, and Freeling has a 9.99 out of a possible 10.0 RAS score (relative athletic score), which ranks No. 2 out of 1,519 offensive tackles dating back to 1987. He’s got great size (6-7, 315) to go along with those athletic traits with plenty of room to grow and learn from two veteran tackles in Detroit after just 16 starts in college.” — Twentyman
Vega Ioane, LG, Penn State (6-foot-4, 320)
Source: Mark Schofield (SB Nation), Jamime Eisner (Draft Network), Curt Popejoy (The Draft Wire), Kurt Blakeway (Fantasy Pros), Lucas Adams (Last Word on Sports)
“Lions general manager Brad Holmes said Tate Ratledge is a potential option at center if they need to replace Graham Glasgow. You know what could make that move easier? Bringing in the best guard prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft to play alongside Ratledge. Olaivavega Ioane is a powerful, technically sound player who excels in pass protection and consistently creates running lanes. He’s unquestionably the best pure guard in the class.” — Eisner
Kadyn Proctor, LT, Alabama (6-foot-7, 352)
Source: Dane Brugler (The Athletic), Lance Zierlein (NFL.com), Josh Norris and Hayden Winks (Underdog Sports), Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports), Geoff Schwartz (FOX Sports)
“The return of Taylor Decker in 2026 gives the Lions options on draft night, but it doesn’t eliminate offensive line from being the move here. Proctor has the talent to give Detroit immediate depth at both tackle and guard, especially after the release of Graham Glasgow. He’d be a long-term building block.” — Brugler
Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah (6-foot-6, 313)
Source: Nate Tice and Charles McDonald (Yahoo Sports)
“While Giovanni Manu is still interesting to me, Lomu gives the Lions their Taylor Decker succession plan (and insurance for the 2026 season). Lomu has to continue to get stronger, but he has light feet, clean hand usage and the overall athleticism to stay on the left side and be a plus-blindside protector. Lomu has just turned 21, so a redshirt year under offensive line coach/run game coordinator Hank Fraley while continuing to add to his frame could make this a perfect player-team fit for a franchise that seems like it’s about to start transitioning to phase 2 of the Dan Campbell tenure.” — Tice
Erik’s Thoughts:
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No one has seen their stock rise since the Combine like Freeling. After declaring for the draft in the final hours before the deadline, analysts have been catching up on his game all offseason, and his elite athletic testing at the Combine has blown the top of his status. In many mock drafts and draft board updates, Freeling has risen into the top three of offensive tackle prospects, with several analysts projecting him to be the second or even first OT selected. While I think there is a bit of recency bias at play, he’s young, very athletic, plays on the left side, and looks to have a high ceiling, which will appeal to teams.
With every rising prospect, someone has to fall out of favor, and that tackle is Spencer Fano. With Fano’s arm length checking in below the preferred NFL standard (32 1/8-inches), many have dropped him down their boards or are projecting a shift inside to guard. That being said, there are some questions surrounding the accuracy of the measurements at the Combine this year (yes, again), and Fano’s wingspan (80 1/4-inches) is closer to acceptable NFL levels. He was also spectacular in on-field drills, which is why I’m not sold on his plummeting down NFL draft boards. If he’s there at pick No. 17, the Lions should take him.
Proctor and Lomu are the more likely tackles to be in the Lions’ range in the first round, but I also believe we’ll start to see Clemson’s Blake Miller enter the fray here as well. Miller will not only enter the NFL with a high floor, given his four years of experience playing at a high level, but he’s also a high-character individual. He fits the Lions in a lot of ways.
Defensive tackle
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-foot-2 1/2, 298)
Source: Andrew Hammond (AL.com)
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Caleb Banks, DL, Florida (6-foot-6, 327)
Source: Brian Lamb (Draft Breakdown), Brendan Donahue (Sharp Football Analysis), Eddie Brown (San Diego Union-Tribune)
“Caleb Banks was one of the top performers at the 2026 NFL Combine, especially for someone his size. I think he has the athleticism and versatility necessary to play across the defensive line. I love this move, and I think Lions fans should, too.” — Lamb
Erik’s Thoughts:
At this time, I’m having a hard time buying into the idea that the Lions would draft first-round defensive tackles in back-to-back drafts. Add in that starters Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams are already in place, and the fact that I’m not sure a single defensive tackle prospect is better than either of those two, and projecting them to address defensive tackle in other ways.
Edge rusher
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-foot-6, 276)
Source: Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report), Nick Suss (The Tennessean), Tyler Forness (AtoZ Sports), Daniel Belton (Cat Scratch Reader), Dylan Chappine (Wolf Sports), Rob Stanton (Seahawks Draft Blog), Matt Roonery (Bleacher Nation), Daniel Alamed, Steve Bradshaw (TWSN), Reuben Frank (NBC Sports – Philadelphia)
“B/R has Faulk listed as a defensive lineman rather than an edge-defender, but he can play as a base end in even fronts,” B/R scout Matt Holder said. “Plus, the Auburn product fits the physical profile that the Lions like at the position. The early entrant may not have the immediate impact as a pass-rusher Detroit is looking for, but he has plenty of traits to develop for the long-term plan.” — Sobleski
Akheem Mesidor EDGE, Miami (6-foot-3, 259)
Source: Jordan Reid (ESPN), Charles Davis (NFL.com), Brett Whitefield (Fantasy Points), Niqko Marshall (Last Words on Sports), Mark Morales-Smith (SI Fantasy), David Furones (Sun Sentinel)
“The Lions tend to be unconventional early in the draft and have passed on edge rushers at this juncture the past couple of years, but Mesidor checks every box of what they typically look for on defense. He’s a heavy-handed rusher with nonstop effort who wears down blockers. He finished last season with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss for the Hurricanes and would be an ideal edge pairing with Aidan Hutchinson. Mesidor’s age (he turns 25 in April) has been a talking point, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue with scouts I have spoken with.” — Reid
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-foot-4, 263)
Source: Danny Kelly (The Ringer), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports), Justin Bales (FF Today), Scott Smith (Buccaneers.com)
“The Lions bolster the defensive end spot opposite Aidan Hutchinson here, grabbing an athletic and physical edge player in Parker. The former Clemson standout is tough and powerful at the point of attack and should immediately boost Detroit’s run defense, and he also offers upside as a pass rusher.” — Kelly
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-foot-2 1/2, 253)
Source: Trecor Sikkema (PFF), Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), Derek Brown (Fantasy Pros), Matt Maiocco (NBC Sports California)
“Howell had a bit of an up-and-down week at the combine. His arm length was verified as one of the shortest of any edge rusher since 1999. He then placed in the 40th percentile in the broad and vertical jumps and the 80th percentile in the 40-yard dash and the 10-yard split before tweaking his hamstring during on-field drills. Regardless, Howell was one of the top pass rushers in college football over the past three seasons, bringing a tenacious and relentless rush style, and would pair nicely with Aidan Hutchinson.” — Sikkema
Erik’s Thoughts:
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If the Lions elect to select a defender at pick No. 17, my early March guess is that it would be between Faulk, Messidor, and Parker. Currently, they are the only prospects in my EDGE Tier 2 group for the Lions, and I believe all three fit the scheme and meet the size/athleticism preferences. Faulk is the biggest, with freaky athleticism for his size; Messidor is the most NFL-ready but is older; while Parker may have the largest upside but is coming off a down season. Right now, I could see the Lions liking them all very close to the same.
Howell has been a popular projection to the Lions this offseason because of his pass-rushing talent, but I think his problems in defending the run are too significant for the Lions to value him at the same level analysts do. Unless they change their preferences or tweak their scheme, I just don’t see the fit.
Linebackers
Anthony Hill, LB, Texas (6-foot-2, 238)
Source: Cody Carpenter (Roster Watch)
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No Explaination.
Erik’s Thoughts:
With no explanation from the mock draft, it’s not clear why the Lions were paired with Hill in this mock draft. I certainly could see how the young linebacker would fit in as a WILL in the Lions’ scheme, and I know he has his champions, but pick No. 17 seems too rich, and I’m not sure he’ll crack the Lions’ top three at the position.
Defensive backs
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-foot-1, 188)
Source: Rob Gregson and Adam Holt (A to Z Sports)
“McCoy brings inherent risk due to his injury history, but that is a risk I believe Detroit could take. If he works out and can stay available, he’s got Pro Bowl-caliber potential. Dominant 2024 tape before missing last season.” — A to Z
Avieon Terrell, NB, Clemson (5-foot-11, 186)
Source: Devin Jackson (Philadelphia Inquirer), Kyle Newman (Gang Green Nation)
“Detroit has needs along the offensive line, but Terrell has the fearless mentality, ball skills, and coverage instincts to fit at multiple spots in the secondary. Amik Robertson is set to be a free agent and Terrell played outside corner and nickel in college.” — Jackson
Erik’s Thoughts:
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If the Lions believe Terrion Arnold will be unavailable to them because of the recent accusations made against him in Florida, then I do believe McCoy would be in play for the Lions in the first round if he were available at pick No. 17. Arguably the best corner in the draft, McCoy is a press-man outside corner who is sticky in coverage and physical in the run game. His medicals will have to check out positively after missing last season due to injury, but the day one starting talent is there.
If the Lions elect to deploy more defensive subpackages in 2026, then Terrell is the best slot corner in the draft. His talent and upside are round-one worthy, and the Lions have a need, but the nickel position is typically a part-time role in most defenses, which is especially true for the Lions, as they used their nickel around 50% of the time. If the Lions decide to use fewer three-linebacker sets and increase their reliance on a nickel, then Terrell could be a sleeper for pick No. 17.
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