The Detroit Lions are one week away from a pivotal NFL Draft, and Brad Holmes isn’t sitting still. In this aggressive mock, Detroit makes bold trades to attack the trenches—landing impact players who could reshape both sides of the ball and push the Lions closer to true contender status.
The NFL Draft is officially one week away, and with the Detroit Lions holding the No. 17 overall pick along with eight additional selections, general manager Brad Holmes will have plenty of ammunition to work with. In this mock draft, I decided to take a more aggressive approach by incorporating trades to reshape Detroit’s draft capital and better align with immediate roster needs in the trenches.
To make this mock more realistic—and more impactful—I executed two trades. The first came with divisional rival Green Bay, where Detroit sent picks No. 118, No. 222, and a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for pick No. 52. This move allowed the Lions to jump into the middle of Day 2 and secure a player I believe fits perfectly within their defensive identity. The second trade was with Seattle, where Detroit dealt picks No. 181, No. 213, and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2027 fourth-rounder, recouping some future value after the earlier move.
With the trades complete, let’s break down the first three selections in this two-part mock draft series.
Round 1, Pick 17: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Ioane’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of dominant. He posted an 80.0 overall PFF grade, including an elite 87.0 pass-blocking grade and a strong 78.6 run-blocking grade. Across 614 snaps, he allowed zero sacks and zero quarterback hits, surrendering just four total pressures. That level of consistency earned him First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team All-American honors.
Over the course of his career, Ioane appeared in 43 games and logged more than 2,300 snaps, serving as a key piece of a Penn State offensive line that consistently generated explosive plays and 100-yard rushers. One of his most impressive performances came in the Big Ten Championship Game against Oregon, where Penn State rushed for 292 yards at 8.3 yards per carry against one of the nation’s top defenses.
Ioane wins with technique, balance, and awareness. His ability to anchor in pass protection makes him an ideal fit for a Detroit offense built around timing and rhythm with Jared Goff. While his run blocking is solid rather than dominant, his skill set suggests there is still room for growth in a power-based scheme.
In Detroit, Ioane could compete immediately for a starting guard role or provide elite depth with long-term upside. This is a high-floor, low-risk pick that aligns perfectly with the Lions’ identity in the trenches.
Round 2, Pick 50: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
After trading up, the Lions address the defensive interior with Lee Hunter, a player they have already shown interest in during the pre-draft process.
Hunter brings a strong, physical presence at the point of attack. He consistently wins with powerful hands and a sturdy anchor, allowing him to hold up against double teams and disrupt running lanes. His ability to wrap up and finish through contact makes him a reliable tackler and a tone-setter on early downs.
Over three seasons, Hunter appeared in 51 games, showcasing durability and experience. In 2025, he earned an 80.5 overall PFF grade, including a 82.7 run-defense grade and a 74.3 pass-rush grade. He totaled 25 pressures and two sacks across 421 snaps, numbers that suggest he can still develop further as a pass rusher.
Hunter would immediately bolster Detroit’s defensive tackle rotation, adding depth and physicality alongside Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams.
Round 2, Pick 52: Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
Lawrence is one of the most intriguing pass rushers in this class and arguably one of the best pure athletes available. He posted an 80.1 overall PFF grade in 2025, highlighted by an elite 89.5 pass-rush grade. In 470 snaps, he recorded seven sacks, 40 total pressures, 30 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and two batted passes.
His combine performance only reinforced his upside. Lawrence ran a 4.52 40-yard dash with a 1.59 10-yard split, both ranking among the top three at his position. He also posted a 40-inch vertical and a 10’10” broad jump, showcasing explosive lower-body power. At 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms, he has the ideal physical profile for an NFL edge rusher.
While his run defense (66.2 grade) still needs refinement, his athleticism and pass-rushing traits give him a high ceiling. Detroit could deploy him as a situational pass rusher early in his career while developing his all-around game.
Closing Thoughts
Through the first two rounds, the Lions add three impactful players who could reshape the trenches on both sides of the ball. Ioane strengthens the offensive line, Hunter reinforces the interior defense, and Lawrence injects much-needed explosiveness off the edge. If these selections hit, Detroit could take a major step toward building one of the most dominant line units in the NFL.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we break down the final three selections in this mock draft.