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.
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.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to the Lions this week.
Offensive linemen
Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5, 300)
Source: Nicholas Rome (Saturday Blitz)
“The 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.” — Rome
Kadyn Proctor, LT, Alabama (6-foot-7, 360)
Source: Jacob Camenker (AI Chatbot via USA Today), Lou Scataglia (NFL Spin Zone), Sam Dehring (SI Fans), Cody Carpentier (Roster Watch), Chris Gregory (Rotoballer)
”The 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.
“Lions 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.
“Health goes a long way – the defense is probably more talented than you think, and in today’s NFL, teams can more easily ‘build’ a defense through free agency. Offensively, it’s more about drafting and developing.
“So the Lions do just that and take Kadyn Proctor from Alabama. If Proctor can’t work out as a tackle, he could have a future along the interior as a guard.” — Scataglia
Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia (6-foot-7, 315)
Source: Justin Melo (Draft Network), AJ Schute and Tyler Forness (A-to-Z Sports), Andy (AndyNFL)
”Georgia 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.” — Melo
Erik’s Thoughts:
Proctor remains the most projected offensive lineman connected to the Lions, as his unique physical traits align well with the Lions’ 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.
Defensive Tackle
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-foot-3, 315)
Source: Jacob Infante (Pro Football Reference), Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report), Chris Perkins (Sun Sentinel)
“Peter Woods is an explosive defensive tackle with refined hands, a high motor, excellent agility for his position, and a high football IQ. He’s 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.” — Infante
Erik’s Thoughts:
I firmly believe drafting another defensive tackle may not be the best use of resources—with Alim McNeill on a second contract and drafting Tyleik Williams in the first round last offseason—but there is no doubting the appeal of adding a player like Woods to the Lions’ interior rotation. With the disruption that interior pressure can create on the quarterback’s passing pocket, I’m 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.
Edge rusher
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-foot-6, 275)
Source: Matt Miller (ESPN), Joseph Hoyt (Dallas Morning News), Ben Standig (Last Man Standig), Matty Kiwoom (Player Profiler)
“Frequent 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’ve 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.
“Faulk 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.” — Miller
Akheem Mesidor EDGE, Miami (6-foot-2 1/2, 273)
Source: Trevor Sikkema (PFF), Cody Williams (Fansided), Sayre Bedinger (NFL Spin Zone)
“‘But Trevor, he’s old!’
“Yes, but for the Lions, I don’t really care — and they shouldn’t either. Mesidor will be 25 years old on draft night, but he’s 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.” — Sikkema
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-foot-4, 263)
Source: Tarringo Basile-Vaughan (NFL Mocks), Brad Menedez (Draft Countdown)
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (6-foot-5, 262)
Source: Lance Zierlein (NFL.com)
“Bully deluxe! When it comes to energy, attitude and block destruction, Young is that guy — and he has rush upside with more development.”— Zierlein
Erik’s Thoughts:
The bulk of this week’s projections land on the edge rusher position—which has been a theme overall—and 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’ll be drafted since before the season. As far as Mesidor, I align my thinking with Sikkema in that his age won’t matter to the Lions, who need a ready-made contributor on the edge.
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’s 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.
Defensive backs
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-foot-0, 195)
Source: Daniel Belton (Cat Scratch Reader)
“It takes a lot for a player to miss an entire season and still be a potential first round pick. That’s 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.” — Belton
Avieon Terrell, CB/NB, Clemson (5-foot-11, 180)
Source: Eric Edholm (NFL.com), Curt Popejoy (Draft Wire), Vincent Parise (Bears Wire)
”Terrell projects inside, and his play style fits what the Lions seek in defenders. Even with Brian Branch already in house, he’s coming off a torn Achilles. The Lions must accumulate defensive depth and talent.” — Edholm
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina (6-foot-0, 190)
Source: Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)
“Cisse is a versatile corner who can consistently lock down receivers in press-man coverage and showcases elite athleticism, with explosive downhill speed and next-level change-of-direction ability. Whether he’s driving on quick routes from off coverage or playing in press, he’s consistently in position for pass breakup opportunities. He’s also one of the best run-defending CBs in this entire class.” — Wilson
Erik’s Thoughts:
When considering the best player available at pick No. 17, McCoy could be in the conversation if his 2025 ACL injury causes him to fall. Still, I maintain that selecting an outside corner is not a great use of resources, given the Lions’ heavy investments in D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold.
Edholm raises an interesting suggestion of moving Terrell inside to nickel, but that only makes sense if the Lions plan to adjust their defensive scheme. Last year, the Lions only used their nickel defensive back around 50% of defensive snaps, not an ideal percentage for a first-round pick. However, if the Lions elect to move on from linebacker Alex Anzalone and instead shift to two-linebacker sets, thus increasing the nickel defensive back role to a full-time position, there is an argument to be made that drafting Terrell makes a lot of sense.
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