The first wave of free agency is in the books, which means it’s time for my second 2026 NFL mock draft of the spring. The Detroit Lions haven’t done much in free agency, and the few moves they made should not impact their draft plans in any way.
They still a pass rusher, they still need a long-term fix at offensive tackle and they still have depth issues throughout their defense.
I filled one of those holes with the 17th pick in the first round, and believe strongly the Lions’ biggest needs – offensive and defensive line – will line up with the talent available to them in the middle of Round 1.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza
School: Indiana.
Buzz: No debate who goes No. 1.
2. New York Jets: EDGE Arvell Reese
School: Ohio State.
Buzz: This is a coin flip between Reese and David Bailey, but I think Reese is a stylistic fit for what coach Aaron Glenn wants on the edge.
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE David Bailey
School: Texas Tech.
Buzz: Not a bad consolation prize at No. 3; Bailey led the FBS with 14½ sacks.
4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love
School: Notre Dame.
Buzz: It makes sense to use this pick on help for Cam Ward and Love is the best offensive prospect in the draft.
5. New York Giants: S Caleb Downs
School: Ohio State.
Buzz: Coach John Harbaugh knows the value of safety after coaching Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore.
6. Cleveland Browns: EDGE Rueben Bain
School: Miami (Fla.).
Buzz: Bain might not have ideal arm length, but playing opposite Myles Garrett he’ll be a terror.
7. Washington Commanders: WR Carnell Tate
School: Ohio State.
Buzz: A weapon for Jayden Daniels.
8. New Orleans Saints: LB Sonny Styles
School: Ohio State.
Buzz: Styles had a combine for the ages, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and posting a 43.5-inch vertical jump.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Francis Mauigoa
School: Miami (Fla.).
Buzz: The Chiefs land the best lineman in the draft to protect Patrick Mahomes.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane
School: LSU.
Buzz: Delane is the best of a cornerback class that might only see two players go in Round 1.
11. Miami Dolphins: OT Spencer Fano
School: Utah.
Buzz: Whether he’s a tackle or a guard, he’d start somewhere for the Dolphins up front next fall.
12. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Keldric Faulk
School: Auburn.
Buzz: The Rashan Gary trade doesn’t solve all the Cowboys’ needs at defensive end.
13. Los Angeles Rams: TE Kenyon Sadiq
School: Oregon.
Buzz: Because coach Sean McVay needs more toys to play with on offense.
14. Baltimore Ravens: G Vega Ioane
School: Penn State.
Buzz: I like Ioane as a people mover on the interior of any offensive line.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Jordyn Tyson
School: Arizona State.
Buzz: A replacement for Mike Evans.
16. New York Jets: CB Jermod McCoy
School: Tennessee.
Buzz: Jets use the pick they got from Sauce Gardner to take his replacement.
17. Detroit Lions: OT Monroe Freeling
School: Georgia.
Buzz: The Lions should have their pick of the second tier of offensive tackles at No. 17, and after giving them Clemson’s Blake Miller in my first mock, I sent Freeling their way this time around. Miller is the more experienced and durable option, but I’m banking on Freeling’s upside with this pick. He has just 17 career starts, including 13 at left tackle last year, and can begin the year as the Lions’ swing lineman before moving into a full-time role later in the season or in 2027. His ability to play both tackle positions also gives the Lions the option of keeping Penei Sewell at right tackle, if that’s his preference.
18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman
School: Oregon.
Buzz: Three safeties could go in Round 1 this year: Downs, Thieneman and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
19. Carolina Panthers: WR Makai Lemon
School: USC.
Buzz: The Panthers continue investing in their receiving corps to help Bryce Young.
20. Dallas Cowboys: OT Caleb Lomu
School: Utah.
Buzz: With two first-round picks, the Cowboys can fortify the trenches on both sides of the ball.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE T.J. Parker
School: Clemson.
Buzz: I didn’t have Parker in the first round of my last mock, but I think he goes in the bottom half of Round 1.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Zion Young
School: Missouri.
Buzz: Odafe Oweh left for the Commanders in free agency, so the Chargers need another pass rusher.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Akheem Mesidor
School: Miami (Fla.).
Buzz: Eagles might be in a good spot to land one of the draft’s best pass rushers if he falls because of injury concerns.
24. Cleveland Browns: OT Blake Miller
School: Clemson.
Buzz: Miller grew up in suburban Cleveland a big fan of Joe Thomas. If the Lions pass on him, he might get the chance to follow in Thomas’ shoes.
25. Chicago Bears: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
School: Toledo.
Buzz: The Bears need more playmakers in their secondary after losing three starters in free agency.
26. Buffalo Bills: WR Denzel Boston
School: Washington.
Buzz: If he’s lucky, ownership won’t throw Boston under the bus like it did Keon Coleman.
27-San Francisco 49ers: OT Kadyn Proctor
School: Alabama.
Buzz: Trent Williams’ future remains uncertain, and if he returns in 2026 the 49ers have to be thinking long-term.
28. Houston Texans: LB Anthony Hill
School: Texas.
Buzz: The Texans had one of the best defenses in the NFL last year, and Hill gives them another playmaker in their front seven.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Avieon Terrell
School: Clemson.
Buzz: The Chiefs have a glaring need at cornerback after trading away the last corner they took in Round 1, Trent McDuffie.
30. Denver Broncos: OT Max Iheanachor
School: Arizona State.
Buzz: The Broncos can look to the future and take one of the draft’s toolsiest tackles.
31. New England Patriots: DT Kayden McDaniel
School: Ohio State.
Buzz: Coach Mike Vrabel goes back to his alma matter for the best run-stuffer in the draft.
32. Seattle Seahawks: DE Gabe Jacas
School: Illinois.
Buzz: You won’t find see Jacas’ name in the first round of many mocks, but I think he’s a good player who fits the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning defense.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NFL mock draft 2.0: Detroit Lions swing on offense with upside pick
Reporting by Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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