After a month of 2026 NFL Mock Drafts heavily projecting the Detroit Lions to select an offensive lineman in the first round, there was a dramatic shift towards defense over the past week of projections.<\/p>\n
Some of this could be associated with two strong defense teams competing in the Super Bowl this weekend, but we could also see NFL Draft analysts simply shaking things up. Regardless of the reason, of the 27 mock drafts we explored this week, 18 paired the Lions with a defensive player, exactly twice as many as projected offensive linemen.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to the Lions this week.<\/p>\n
Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5, 300) \u201cThe Lions have already seen Dan Skipper retire, and with Taylor Decker considering retirement, Dan Campbell may need to reload on the offensive front. Spencer Fano can instantly jump in at either tackle position after playing both at Utah, allowing the team to decide where they want to play Penei Sewell.\u201d \u2014 Rome<\/p>\n Kadyn Proctor, LT, Alabama (6-foot-7, 360) \u201dThe Detroit Lions could use another starter on the offensive line. The future of left tackle Taylor Decker seems to be unclear, and one huge reason why the Lions have been one of the better teams in the NFL in recent years is due to the top-tier offensive line.<\/p>\n \u201cLions GM Brad Holmes has also largely done a masterful job in the NFL Draft. There are so many quality players on the roster that Holmes found. Detroit should be able to bounce back in 2026. The defensive side of the ball underperformed in 2025, but a lot of that was due to the roster just not being able to stay healthy.<\/p>\n \u201cHealth goes a long way – the defense is probably more talented than you think, and in today\u2019s NFL, teams can more easily \u2018build\u2019 a defense through free agency. Offensively, it\u2019s more about drafting and developing.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the Lions do just that and take Kadyn Proctor from Alabama. If Proctor can\u2019t work out as a tackle, he could have a future along the interior as a guard.\u201d \u2014 Scataglia<\/p>\n Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia (6-foot-7, 315) \u201dGeorgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling was among the surprise declarations for the 2026 NFL Draft. Freeling is raw, but possesses ideal length while being a plus-level athlete on the edge. The Lions would be a terrific landing spot as a Taylor Decker replacement.\u201d \u2014 Melo<\/p>\n Proctor remains the most projected offensive lineman connected to the Lions, as his unique physical traits align well with the Lions\u2019 projected offensive scheme. Meanwhile, Freeling, who surprised some analysts by declaring for the draft, is gaining momentum as analysts dig into his game tape and realize his upside as an NFL LT.<\/p>\n Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-foot-3, 315) \u201cPeter Woods is an explosive defensive tackle with refined hands, a high motor, excellent agility for his position, and a high football IQ. He\u2019s an effective two-gapping defensive tackle against the run, and he also brings plenty of value on passing downs. That combination alone should make him highly sought after.\u201d \u2014 Infante<\/p>\n I firmly believe drafting another defensive tackle may not be the best use of resources\u2014with Alim McNeill on a second contract and drafting Tyleik Williams in the first round last offseason\u2014but there is no doubting the appeal of adding a player like Woods to the Lions\u2019 interior rotation. With the disruption that interior pressure can create on the quarterback\u2019s passing pocket, I\u2019m not ruling out the addition of Woods, who could do a lot of damage playing alongside McNeill, Williams, and Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.<\/p>\n Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-foot-6, 275) \u201cFrequent readers of mock drafts know that the Lions are often projected to use high picks on pass-rushing defensive linemen to draw attention away from Aidan Hutchinson. They\u2019ve resisted that urge in recent drafts, picking run-stopping defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round last year. But this could be the time for the Lions to finally add a defensive end with the talent to draw attention from both interior linemen and offensive tackles.<\/p>\n \u201cFaulk has the versatility to play inside or outside at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, and the power he generates would keep offensive lines honest. His two sacks last season were a disappointment after a seven-sack campaign in 2024, but Faulk has fans around the league who see him as an ideal hybrid defensive lineman.\u201d \u2014 Miller<\/p>\n Akheem Mesidor EDGE, Miami (6-foot-2 1\/2, 273) \u201c\u2018But Trevor, he\u2019s old!\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but for the Lions, I don\u2019t really care \u2014 and they shouldn\u2019t either. Mesidor will be 25 years old on draft night, but he\u2019s a ready-made NFL pass rusher, having earned a 94.2 PFF pass-rush grade versus true pass sets in 2025, in addition to generating a 20.8% pass-rush win rate. Being ready to slot in immediately makes Mesidor worthy of a first-round pick for a team in a winning window.\u201d \u2014 Sikkema<\/p>\n T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-foot-4, 263) Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (6-foot-5, 262) \u201cBully deluxe! When it comes to energy, attitude and block destruction, Young is that guy — and he has rush upside with more development.\u201d\u2014 Zierlein<\/p>\n The bulk of this week\u2019s projections land on the edge rusher position\u2014which has been a theme overall<\/a>\u2014and Faulk and Mesidor certainly look like two very realistic candidates for the Lions to deploy opposite Hutchinson. Faulk seems to be dropping in most mock drafts of late, and some analysts have significantly lowered their projections of where he\u2019ll be drafted since before the season. As far as Mesidor, I align my thinking with Sikkema in that his age won\u2019t matter to the Lions, who need a ready-made contributor on the edge.<\/p>\n Parker is a bit behind the above duo in my early rankings, but I see the appeal, while Young is a player I like for the Lions more in the second round. He\u2019s certainly talented and a scheme fit, but there are several off-the-field questions that I need answered before he climbs into my first round rankings.<\/p>\n Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-foot-0, 195) \u201cIt takes a lot for a player to miss an entire season and still be a potential first round pick. That\u2019s how good McCoy was in 2024 before tearing his ACL. He is a dynamic player with scheme versatility, athleticism, and ball skills similar to a Darius Slay. If he can get the stamp of approval from the medical staff, he could be a steal this late in the first round.\u201d \u2014 Belton<\/p>\n Avieon Terrell, CB\/NB, Clemson (5-foot-11, 180) \u201dTerrell projects inside, and his play style fits what the Lions seek in defenders. Even with Brian Branch already in house, he\u2019s coming off a torn Achilles. The Lions must accumulate defensive depth and talent.\u201d \u2014 Edholm<\/p>\n
Source: Nicholas Rome (Saturday Blitz<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Jacob Camenker (AI Chatbot via USA Today<\/a>), Lou Scataglia (NFL Spin Zone<\/a>), Sam Dehring (SI Fans<\/a>), Cody Carpentier (Roster Watch<\/a>), Chris Gregory (Rotoballer<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Justin Melo (Draft Network<\/a>), AJ Schute and Tyler Forness (A-to-Z Sports<\/a>), Andy (AndyNFL<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Jacob Infante (Pro Football Reference<\/a>), Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report<\/a>), Chris Perkins (Sun Sentinel<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Matt Miller (ESPN<\/a>), Joseph Hoyt (Dallas Morning News<\/a>), Ben Standig (Last Man Standig<\/a>), Matty Kiwoom (Player Profiler<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Trevor Sikkema (PFF<\/a>), Cody Williams (Fansided<\/a>), Sayre Bedinger (NFL Spin Zone<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Tarringo Basile-Vaughan (NFL Mocks<\/a>), Brad Menedez (Draft Countdown<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Lance Zierlein (NFL.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Daniel Belton (Cat Scratch Reader<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Source: Eric Edholm (NFL.com<\/a>), Curt Popejoy (Draft Wire<\/a>), Vincent Parise (Bears Wire<\/a>)<\/p>\n