Detroit Lions Seven-Round Mock Draft

Call it a way-too-early mock draft if you want. Sure, we’re still awaiting the outcomes of three more NFL games before the 2025 season officially comes to a close, but for the Lions—and Lions fans alike—the season has been over for some time now.

It’s been a cruel winter watching our beloved Detroit Lions get their souls and our hearts snatched away by poor play down the stretch, something that seems surprising to Lions fans these days. But to any real Lions fan who’s been around the block longer than three seasons, it’s just back to what we’re used to.

Mock drafting before the conference finals… oh how I’ve missed it.

Of course, there will be a slew of things that happen between now and late April that render this mock draft pretty useless by the time the draft actually happens. For now, though, let’s take a look at where the Lions need improvement and who I think they should target to fill those needs.

The Lions head into the 2026 NFL Draft with eight picks overall. We will not be trading any—though we all know Brad Holmes probably will.

Francis Mauigoa – OT – Miami (FL)

The Lions are in desperate need of a major overhaul on their offensive line. Yes, injuries played a huge role last season, and rook Tate Ratledge performed well, while Penei Sewell was—per usual—the best offensive lineman in the league. But Mahogany got injured, Glasgow was forced to play out of position (and it showed), then he got injured, and Taylor Decker—who we love—is nearing the end of his career and started to show signs of decline at times last year.

Even if Decker returns, the Lions need to think about the future of the offensive line now and take the best tackle on the board. That’s Francis Mauigoa.

Helping keep Carson Beck upright for the entirety of the season, Mauigoa stands at 6’6” and 315 pounds. In 2025, he was a first-team All-ACC selection and a consensus All-American. At 6’6”, 335 pounds, Mauigoa has exceptional mass and in-built power, while also being a nimble, explosive, and rangy mover with easy hip flexibility, torque, and realignment ability.

Parker Brailsford – OC – Alabama

We’re sticking with the offensive line theme again in the second round—something I truly hope Holmes does as well. This is based on the roster before free agency moves, but the Lions are in need of a true center after last year’s late and surprising Frank Ragnow retirement.

The Lions did their best with Glasgow, a former center, filling in, and they tried to convince us Ratledge could play both guard and center. I want a guy who is built to play center.

Parker Brailsford is the definition of a “natural” at the position. In 2025, he earned third-team All-SEC honors. At 6’2”, 290 pounds, Brailsford is slightly undersized, but he makes up for it with elite athleticism and blocking range, nearly flawless leverage and pad level, and surprising compact play strength and power output.

4th Round – 118th Pick Preston Hodge – CB – Colorado Height: 6’0” | Weight: 200 lbs

5th Round – 155th Pick Jack Endries – TE – Texas Height: 6’4” | Weight: 240 lbs

6th Round – 203rd Pick Jakobe Thomas – S – Miami (FL) Height: 6’2” | Weight: 200 lbs

6th Round – 211th Pick Cameron Robertson – EDGE – SMU Height: 6’4” | Weight: 260 lbs

6th Round – 212th Pick Wesley Williams – EDGE – Duke Height: 6’3” | Weight: 265 lbs

7th Round – 222nd Pick Deven Eastern – iDL – Minnesota Height: 6’6” | Weight: 320 lbs

To round out the draft, I hope the Lions spend most of their capital on defense—specifically edge rushers, interior defensive linemen, cornerbacks, and safeties. There are a lot of question marks on that side of the ball, and with the way injuries have hit the defense, the Lions have to continue adding quality depth.

There’s also a chance the team loses DJ Reader and Alex Anzalone, and who knows when—or if—Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph will be fully healthy and available long term.

I also added a tight end for good measure, as Drew Petzing loves running two- and three-tight end personnel groupings.