We have made it through two days and three rounds of the NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions have made two selections so far. In Round One, Detroit selected Clemson OT Blake Miller. GM Brad Holmes then traded up in the second round to nab Michigan edge rusher, Derrick Moore. Who could have seen those picks coming? Oh yeah, me (not to brag). The third and final day of the draft begins at noon. There are still plenty of talented players available (a few shockingly so). With six total picks over the last four rounds, Detroit will be very active. Here are the top targets for the Detroit Lions on day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft:
Top Targets for the Detroit Lions on Day 3 of 2026 NFL Draft
Round 4
1. Kyle Louis, LB/S, Pittsburgh
My Kyle Louis dream lives on for another day. The former Panther would be a fantastic pick for Detroit at pick 118 (or a trade up). At Pitt, Louis was extremely productive and could line up anywhere on defense and make plays. There is no name I would rather hear called when the Lions make their next selection.
2. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
It is mind-blowing that McCoy is still on the board. Just a shocking fall for a player with legit top-10 talent. The medicals on McCoy’s injured knee must be terrifying, but, at this point, the star cornerback is easily worth the risk. Even if NFL teams worry that McCoy may not have a long and healthy career, the talent is undeniable. McCoy could be the steal of the draft.
3. Keionte Scott, CB/S, Miami
Keionte Scott is another prospect who should be long gone by now. Coming in at number 53 in Dane Brugler’s Top 100, the hard-hitting DB would provide excellent value in round four. Some even thought that Scott could sneak his way into the end of round one. The Lions’ secondary would be instantly improved if Scott is Detroit’s pick at 118.
4. Jalen Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Staying in the secondary, Jalen Kilgore would be another great pick for the Lions. Kilgore is an elite athlete who excels in man coverage, making him a seamless fit for Detroit’s defensive scheme. With Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph both surrounded by question marks heading into 2026, Kilgore would make a lot of sense for the Lions.
5. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
Notice a theme yet? Round four has become a gold mine for teams looking to add talent to their secondaries. The Lions need to improve the back end of their defense. Drafting Zakee Wheatley will achieve that immediately. Wheatley has the talent and upside to become a starting safety in the NFL, providing excellent value here.
Round 5
Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
Harold Perkins Jr, LB/EDGE, LSU
Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss
In round 5, the Lions would be wise to add depth to the middle of their defensive line. Rayshaun Benny or Zxavian Harris would both be terrific additions with ceilings to start, eventually. Either would be a quality DT3 for Detroit. Even after drafting Derrick Moore, the Lions could get fantastic value in Perkins, who can develop into a ferocious pass rusher.
Round 6
Jordan van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech
Micah Morris, G, Georgia
Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Round 6 could give the Lions an excellent opportunity to select an ultra-athletic interior lineman, either on defense or on offense. Both van den Berg and Morris are freak athletes who would be enticing lottery tickets in the late rounds. Cole Payton would give Detroit a young quarterback with a ton of upside to develop behind Jared Goff.
Round 7
Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Desmond Reid is another of my draft darlings and could give the Lions an explosive playmaker, though not in a major role. Tyren Montgomery is a talented WR who dominated small-school competition. Once thought to be a potential top overall pick, World has fallen mightily but has the potential to become a solid NFL tackle. If the Lions took Montgomery or World anywhere in rounds 5-7, I wouldn’t complain. However, with the way the draft board has fallen, both may last until the final round.
The final day of the draft is where the great teams find hidden gems who greatly outperform their draft slots. Lions GM Brad Holmes has excelled on day three, snagging All-Pro WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and starting LB Derrick Barnes, among others. Holmes could hit the jackpot again by taking any of these prospects.
