Walter football Charlie (18. Will Heldt, DE, Clemson: The Lions have Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal entering free agency after this season, and they need more consistent pass-rushing production across from Aidan Hutchinson.. Thus far in 2025, Heldt has 29 tackles with four sacks and has played well for Clemson. Heldt played well for Purdue in 2024, recording 56 tackles with five sacks. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has good size, length, a surprising burst, and plays really hard. 50. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson: The Lions could use a tackle to develop behind Taylor Decker. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Miller has been a starting tackle for Clemson. He is a good athlete with quickness and agility on the edge. Miller could stand to get stronger and play with more physicality.) (12-5-25): https://walterfootball.com/draft2026charlie_1.php?rbTop
Draft Tek (19. DE David Bailey: The Ravens still can't rush the passer, but at least they recognize that. They sent a conditional 5th round pick to the Titans in exchange for the versatile Dre'Mont Jones, who gives Baltimore more juice in the front seven. Still, the Ravens defense hasn't allowed 20 points in a game in over a month, while the offense has done just enough to enjoy a 4-game win streak. Playoff hopes are alive and well in Baltimore. The team could very well be in best player available mode in Round 1 of next April's draft. - not because they have no holes, but because they have several. The offensive line needs more consistency, the defensive front is old and injured, and the secondary could use another young corner. Even wide receiver could warrant some consideration. Still, though, the Ravens should choose to address their biggest need. Matayo Uiagalelei's 2024 production (10.5 sacks) nearly matches that of the entire Ravens' defense through 10 games. That doesn't sit right in the city that once housed Terrell Suggs. Uiagalelei is a similar-yet-better prospect than Tavius Robinson, who Baltimore used a 4th round pick on in 2023 and has grown to love. The ability to play both inside and outside could help a team that craves versatility. - Gabe Kamins, Ravens Analyst. 51. CB Domani Jackson. 100. (Comp) WR Deion Burks. 125. S Amare Ferrell. 134. (Comp) Malachi Fields. 165. (Trade) OT Brian Parker II. 196. (Trade) OC Matt Gulbin. 206. (Trade) ILB Ernest Hausmann. 219. (Trade) RB Darius Taylor) (12-4-25): https://www.drafttek.com/2026-NFL-Draft-Team-Pages/Lions-Draft-Page.asp
USA Today Middlehurst-Schwartz (17. T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson: Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard openly acknowledged Monday that the Lions aren't doing nearly enough to throw opposing quarterbacks out of rhythm. With three sacks against South Carolina, Parker is starting to serve up reminders of his first-round toolkit. A well-rounded approach that includes an admirable approach against the run should help him catch the eye of Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell as the long-sought running mate for Aidan Hutchinson.) (12-3-25): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/12/03/nfl-mock-draft-2026-quarterback-first-round/87567716007/
Walter football Walt (18. Drew Shelton, OT: The Lions suddenly have a very shaky interior line. They need help at guard and center. Drew Shelton is an athletic lineman who has played every position at Penn State. 50. Kamari Ramsey, S: Aaron Glenn is gone, so the Lions need as much secondary talent to make up for the departure. Kamari Ramsey has excellent coverage skills.) (12-3-25): https://walterfootball.com/draft2026_1.php
Athlon Sports Easterling (18. David Bailey | Edge | Texas Tech: Aidan Hutchinson has returned to the same level of dominance he had before last year’s season-ending injury, but the Lions are still searching for a worthy running mate to line up across from him on the defensive front. Bailey has been an absolute game-wrecker for the Red Raiders this season, spearheading one of the most dominant units in all of college football with his ability to get after the passer. 50. OC Connor Lew) (12-2-25): https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2026-nfl-mock-draft-updated-2-rounds-nfl-week-14
PFN Cummings (
18. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State: Hear me out, Lions fans. I didn’t love the value at other positions of need here, and Alex Anzalone is set to become a free agent soon. The Lions are close to a best-player-available situation, and the best player available is indeed Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. Styles is 6’4″, 243 pounds, and had six sacks as a blitzer in 2024, so don’t get caught thinking he can’t provide something as a pass-rush catalyst. But his prime function is as an elite WILL linebacker, with sideline range, take-on physicality, and high-end coverage value.
50. Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC: The Lions need a long-term complement to Aidan Hutchinson. While Anthony Lucas still needs greater consistency, his power profile is eye-catching at 6’5″, 272 pounds, and on his best reps, he flashes an impressive blend of quickness, hand force, and finishing strength. 118.
Justin Joly, TE, NC State. 134. Austin Barber, OT, Florida. 158. Kayin Lee, CB, Auburn. 199. Barion Brown, WR, LSU. 206. Tomas Rimac, OG, Virginia Tech. 222. Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State) (11-28-25):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-mock-draft-7-round-cummings-november-2025/
Draft Network Eisner (
18. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech: Al-Quadin Muhammad has helped, but we’ve been talking about the Lions adding to their EDGE room for a few years now. They didn’t invest premium draft capital at the position last year, so maybe they’ll finally pull the trigger in 2026. David Bailey, the FBS sack leader, continues to have a remarkable season for Texas Tech. The combination of speed, power, and sack production has moved him firmly into the first-round conversation.) (11-23-25):
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/11/23/nfl-mock-draft-2026-november-23
PFN Fragoza (
18. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson: T.J. Parker established himself as a premier 2026 NFL Draft prospect entering 2025, posting exceptional production (16.5 sacks and 33 total tackles for loss) through just two collegiate seasons. Yet, Parker’s stock has corrected slightly from the summer, as his flexibility and lack of elite first-step explosiveness limit his ceiling compared to other athletes.
50. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State: Davison Igbinosun brings an uncommon blend of length, vertical speed, and quickness that allows him to play at both the slot and the boundary. He entered Ohio State as a toolsy, raw prospect with high highs and low lows. While he’s evened out the inconsistencies, it’s still his athletic traits and developing instincts that have him firmly on NFL radars, not polished technique.) (11-22-25):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-mock-draft-2026-fragoza-november/
USA Today Ostly (
18. OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama: This almost doesn't seem fair. You can't tell us Dan Campbell saw the Crimson Tide use the 6-foot-7, 360-pound Proctor as a receiver on a few screen passes and didn't get visions of doing the same with him next year. Proctor is an outlier athlete for his size but needs some improvement in his consistency and hand usage. There are few better places for him to learn and develop than Detroit.) (11-22-25):
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/11/22/2026-nfl-mock-draft-titans-giants/87322961007/
ESPN Miller (
18. T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson*: Aidan Hutchinson is a one-man show on Detroit's defensive line, which ranks dead last in pass rush win rate since offenses are able to key on him. Parker is the type of running mate we've tried to match to Detroit in mock drafts for several years now. At 6-3 and 265 pounds, he plays the edge with length and strength that are pro-caliber, which led to 11.0 sacks as a sophomore in 2024. While he has only 2.0 sacks this season as offenses slide to stop him, Parker's effort and upper-body strength are exactly what Detroit needs opposite Hutchinson in a 4-3 scheme.) (11-19-25):
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47000736/2026-nfl-mock-draft-first-round-predictions-32-picks-matt-miller
Draft Network Sanchez (
24. Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon. The Detroit Lions attempted to improve their defense by drafting defensive backs a few years ago, and the return on that investment is still unknown. But the Lions’ success defensively still appears to be dependent on Aidan Hutchinson’s ability to impact the game. At some point, the Lions have to give Aidan help at the edge rusher position, and in this mock draft, they do exactly that. Matayo Uiagalelei could be a great complementary piece to Hutchinson and give the Lions a strong one-two punch.) (11-16-25):
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/11/16/nfl-mock-draft-2026-november-16
PFSN’s Stats and Insights team (
24. Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon: Matayo Uiagalelei has all of the traits to be a stellar pass rusher in this league, and playing alongside Aidan Hutchinson would certainly help him realize that potential sooner rather than later. He is a perfect fit for a Dan Campbell-led defense, as he has an elite work rate and brings it on every single play. Uiagalelei has four sacks on the season after recording 10.5 sacks last year in his sophomore season.
56. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State: I expect the Lions to fortify their defensive line with both of their first two picks, as they are pretty strong in most other aspects of the game. Kayden McDonald is a large man who utilizes his size as an effective run defender, taking on offensive linemen and regularly bringing them to the ground. He has also been used as a goal-line fullback, and I can definitely see the Lions having fun with that.) (11-15-25):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-3-round-mock-draft-november-weil/
CBS Edwards (25. Matayo Uiagalelei EDGE: Josh Paschal and Marcus Davenport just haven't been able to stay healthy. The situation is reminiscent of San Francisco, where the 49ers cycled through free agents for years before finally investing premium draft capital at the position. Matayo Uiagalelei can be Detroit's version of Mykel Williams.) (11-11-25): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2026-nfl-mock-draft-three-qbs-top-5-surprise-no-1-pick/
Athletic Baumgartner (
23. Matayo Uiagalelei, edge, Oregon: The Lions could look for offensive line help in the first round (either tackle or interior O-line), but a long-term answer opposite Aidan Hutchinson still remains at least a possibility. Uiagalelei, yet another young Oregon defender, has the ability to convert speed to power while playing multiple spots up front. He’d be a perfect Hutchinson complement.):
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6780201/2025/11/06/nfl-mock-draft-2026-jets-cowboys-arvell-reese/
PFF Sikkema (
21. Detroit Lions: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn: Faulk is a sure-fire future NFL contributor; the question is just how valuable his skill set will be. The conversation with him will be similar to that of Mykel Williams last season: great in run defense (85.2 PFF run-defense grade) but leaves a lot to be desired as a pass rusher (9.8% pass-rush win rate). Some teams will value his frame, strength and high floor. Others might see only the limited pass-rush ceiling. I could see the Lions targeting him, given his play strength.) (11-5-25):
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2026-nfl-mock-draft-post-trade-deadline-edition
FanDuel Swaim (
21. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson: What do you give a team that has it all? The Detroit Lions really just need health more than anything on defense. Depth wouldn't hurt, either, and T.J. Parker would be an outstanding compliment to Aidan Hutchinson for a Detroit D that already generates plenty of pressure. Parker is probably the most disappointing preseason Clemson prospect with just 2.0 sacks this year after 11.0 in the Tigers' ACC-winning season a year ago, but Dabo Swinney's bunch has infrastructure issues that are well-known at this stage. The pre-draft process will be vital to sorting out a gaggle of EDGEs behind Bain Jr., and Parker is still in that mix.) (11-4-25):
https://www.fanduel.com/research/2026-nfl-round-1-mock-draft-fernando-mendoza-and-ty-simpson-lead-ambiguous-qb-class
Round 1 (15 DE, 4 OT, 2 CB, 2 OG, 1 LB):
5 DE T.J. Parker
3 DE Matayo Uiagalelei
3 DE David Bailey
2 OT Kadyn Proctor
1 DE LT Overton
1 DE Keldric Faulk
1 DE Cashius Howell
1 DE Will Heldt
1 CB Avieon Terrell
1 CB Kelley Jones
1 OT Drew Shelton
1 OT Caleb Lomu
1 OG Olaivavega Ioane
1 OG Emmanuel Pregnon
1 LB Sonny Styles
Round 2 (3 CB, 1 OT, 1 OC, 1 S, 1 DT, 1 DE):
1 OC Connor Lew
1 OT Blake Miller
1 CB A.J. Harris
1 CB Domani Jackson
1 CB Davison Igbinosun
1 S Kamari Ramsey
1 DT Kayden McDonald
1 DE Anthony Lucas
Round 3 (Comp) (1 WR):
1 WR Deion Burks.
Round 4 Pick 125 (1 S, 1 TE ):
1 S Amare Ferrell.
1 TE Justin Joly
Round 4 Pick 134. (Comp) (1 WR, 1 OT):
1 WR Malachi Fields
1 OT Austin Barber
Round 5 Pick (1 OT, 1 CB):
1 OT Brian Parker II
1 CB Kayin Lee
Round 6 Pick 196 (1 OC, 1 WR):
1 OC Matt Gulbin.
1 WR Barion Brown
Round 6 Pick 206 (1 LB, 1 OG):
1 ILB Ernest Hausmann.
1 OG Tomas Rimac
Round 7 (1 RB, 1 QB):
1 RB Darius Taylor
1 QB Cole Payton
