The 2026 NFL free agency period is just over 10 days old, and the decisions made across the NFL have significantly altered the majority of mock draft projections. For the Detroit Lions, we have seen the field of prospects narrowing, and there’s also been a heavy shift toward one position.
In this installment, we explored 40 mock drafts published over the past week, and 80% of those predictions had the Lions selecting an offensive tackle to replace Taylor Decker. There was one projection of an interior offensive lineman, but the remaining mock drafts had the Lions targeting edge players.
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 1/2, 311)
Source: Justin Melo (SI – NFL Draft), Scouting department (Bleacher Report), Dante Collinelli (Casual NFL Draft Analyst)
“Taylor Decker surprisingly asked for his release. That leaves the Detroit Lions in a bind at offensive tackle opposite Penei Sewell. Spencer Fano was excellent at the NFL Combine, and his measurements proved he could stick at tackle. Fano is an excellent pass protector on tape who is also familiar with a variety of run-blocking concepts from his time executing Utah’s offense,” — Melo
Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia (6-foot-7 1/2, 315)
Source: Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com), Eric Edholm (NFL.com), Luke Easterling (Anthon Sports), Curt Popejoy (Draft Wire), Josh edwards (CBS Sports), Daniel Belton (Cat Scratch Reader), Andrew Harbaugh (Vikings Wire), Ian Harper (NFL Mocks), Cayden Steele (NJ.com), Eddie Brown (San Diego Union-Tribune)
“Freeling has the most upside of any tackle in this year’s draft — and the Lions have a void to fill at the position after parting ways with Taylor Decker.” — Jeremiah
Blake Miller, RT, Clemson (6-foot-7, 317)
Source: Jeff Risdon (Real GM), Joel Klatt (Fox Sports), Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports), Phil Perry (NBC Sports – Boston), Mario Puig (Rotowire)
“The Lions replace longtime left tackle Taylor Decker by adding Miller, Clemson’s longtime right tackle. Miller’s length and run blocking fit well with Detroit, even if it means pushing All-Pro Penei Sewell from RT to LT.” — Risdon
Vega Ioane, LG, Penn State (6-foot-4, 320)
Source: Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News)
”The Lions are still in the process of resetting their line, with center Cade Mays being the notable free-agent addition to start with all-world tackle Penei Sewell. Newcomer Juice Scruggs is an option to boost guard, but getting Ioane [sic]” — Iyer
Kadyn Proctor, LT, Alabama (6-foot-7, 352)
Source: Connor Rogers (NBC Sports), Mel Kiper (ESPN), Mason Johnstone (The Draft Network), Reese Decker (Pro Football Network), Brian Martin (Blogging the Boys), Zack Pearson (247 Sports), Cameron Willey (Stadium Rant), Pigskin Paul (Draft Countdown)
“The Lions entered free agency with a Taylor Decker-sized hole at left tackle after the veteran asked for his release. They signed Larry Borom, but they shouldn’t stop there. Proctor’s play was a little uneven last season, but I think he can stick at left tackle in the NFL and could help keep Jared Goff upright as Detroit tries to get back to the playoffs. Proctor has 40 starts worth of experience, knows how to take away opponent pass-rush moves and moves very well for a 6-7, 352-pound blocker.” — Kiper
Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah (6-foot-6, 313)
Source: Colton Pouncey (The Athletic), Nick Baumgardner (The Athletic), Michael Renner (CBS Sports), Christian Polantonio (Hogs Haven), Matthew Freedman (Fantasy Life), Ricky Bradshaw (SI – Cardinals)
”The Lions have boxed themselves into a bit of a corner this offseason. They released longtime left tackle Taylor Decker and replaced him with free-agent tackle Larry Borom — a low-end starting option. They don’t usually have a need as glaring as this, but they’re going to need a young tackle who can compete with Borom. I reached out to four teams about a trade-back into the 20s and received two rejections, one no-answer and an offer that would net us … a sixth-round pick. At No. 17, Blake Miller and Max Iheanachor were considered, but Lomu was the pick. An athletic left tackle with light feet, length and solid technique, Lomu’s addition could keep Penei Sewell at right tackle, if that’s what the Lions prefer. — Pouncy
Erik’s Thoughts:
With the heavy influx of projections pointing to the Lions selecting an offensive tackle, let’s walk through them one by one.
Fano and Francis Mauigoa (who isn’t being projected to the Lions anymore) have been ranked as the top two tackles for the majority of the draft process. However, a 32 1/8-inch arm length measurement at the NFL Combine had some questioning a move inside for Fano. At his Pro Day on Thursday, a remeasurement was made, and the results jumped him up to 32 7/8. Now, 3/4 of an inch may not seem like a lot, but some teams can be sticklers for measurables, and this new measure will surely vault him back up projection boards. Long story short, I think this entire situation was an overreaction, and Fano will be off the board when the Lions are on the clock—as has been expected all offseason.
Freeling has flown up draft boards since the Combine, as analysts have taken note of his athleticism and likely finally got around to watching his game tape. He’s still a raw prospect—just 18 starts in college—but he has elite measurables, and his developmental upside appears endless. Historically, the Lions would typically target a ready-to-play prospect in the first round, but with their focus this offseason being on youth, he may be higher up on draft boards than most think.
Miller hasn’t been projected to the Lions much this offseason, but if you’ve been following along with my draft analysis, you are likely very familiar with his game. With 54 starts on his resume, Miller is often looked at as an “older” prospect, but the reality is that’s simply not true, as he’s only four months older than Freeling. Miller is also a bruiser who enjoys contact, and in turn, most people believe he’s not athletic. But again, that is simply not true, as Miller scored an unofficial 9.97 RAS, while Freeling was only slightly ahead with a 9.99 score. So while all the buzz is currently landing on Freeling, I once again want to suggest to Lions fans that they get to know Miller, who is loaded with experience and grit, and may not be as “old” and “unathletic” as some think.
Proctor’s stock continues to be all over the place. Some view him as the best tackle in the draft, others believe he needs to shift inside to guard, and even more believe he has the makings to fit in perfectly with the Lions’ scheme and culture. Personally, I think Proctor has a rare combination of size and athleticism, but I have also heard some whispers that suggest he’s not as clean a culture fit as some think. The Lions reportedly met with him at the Combine, and if he had answers for some of those concerns, he could certainly be the pick.
Lomu is growing in popularity and finds himself projected to the Lions six times this week. He’s certainly ready to go as a pass blocker and could be an instant starter at left tackle, but his run blocking is not up to the Lions’ standards just yet. The need to improve his core strength makes him a bit of a tougher sell when projecting him to Detroit, but it’s also not necessarily a deal breaker.
Ioane has the talent to warrant a selection at pick No. 17 (and probably higher), but it’s tough for me to believe the Lions would pass on taking an offensive tackle for a guard.
Edge rusher
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-foot-6, 276)
Source: Kyle Crabbs (AtoZ Sports), Tyler Forness (AtoZ Sports), Matt Rooney (Bleacher Nation), Andrew Wilbar (Steel Curtain Network)
“There isn’t a lot of excitement surrounding Keldric Faulk, but there should be. He isn’t seen as a player with an elite pass rush profile due to his perceived stiffness, but he is surprisingly good at bending the arc and can grow into a much more refined player. He’s the exact type of player that the Lions would like to have start opposite of Aidan Hutchinson.” – Forness
Akheem Mesidor EDGE, Miami (6-foot-3, 259)
Source: Charles McDonald & Nate Tice (Yahoo Sports), Sam Farmer (LA Times)
“This pick doesn’t need much more explanation other than the fact that the Lions don’t have many pass rushers on their roster right now. They are razor thin at defensive end outside of Aidan Hutchinson, almost to the point where they have to take an edge rusher with this pick. Mesidor is a bit hit-or-miss on a down-to-down basis and turns 25 before the draft, but he has a chance to be a contributor in the NFL or even a legitimate, consistent threat off the edge if he hits the ground running. The Lions have to try something.” — Mcdonald
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-foot-2 1/2, 253)
Source: Matt Maiocco (NBC Sports)
”Aidan Hutchinson and Howell make it a race to the QB.” — Maiocco
Erik’s Thoughts:
Faulk and Mesidor are certainly stylistic and talent fits for the Lions’ edge rusher role opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and would likely fit in well with DJ Wonnum in a rotation during their rookie season. While I believe both would be incredible additions, the edge rusher group is much deeper than the offensive tackle group, and while the Lions “don’t draft for need,” this dynamic needs to be considered. If the Lions are truly in a “pick the best player no matter what” situation, and the offensive tackle board falls in a surprising way, Lions fans may get their wish, and general manager Brad Holmes may grab an edge rusher in the first round.
I hate ending on a negative note, but as long as Howell continues to be mocked to the Lions, I will continue to point out that his run defense is not close to the Lions’ standards, and that’s tough to justify with a mid-first round pick.
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