It’s almost draft time. Starting next Thursday, April 23, all eyes of the football world will be on Pittsburgh, PA, for the 2026 NFL Draft. With only one week to go, boards are mostly set. Teams have met with potential draftees. Only the finishing touches need to be placed on each franchise’s draft strategy. For some teams, it’s easy to see which prospects they are likely to target. The Detroit Lions are not one of those teams. Even with only a few days left before the draft festivities begin, the Lions have managed to keep their intentions close to the vest. That said, I am making my final Lions’ mock draft before the fun starts next week. Here is my Detroit Lions 2026 7-round mock draft 5.0.
Unlike my last mock, this one includes trades that I think the Lions would benefit from making.
Detroit Lions 2026 7-Round Mock Draft 5.0
Round 1, Pick 17: TRADE!
I really think the Lions will make a move in the first round. Admittedly, I believe it is just as likely that Brad Holmes will trade up as he will trade down. Especially if top tackle prospects like Francis Mauigoa or Spencer Fano fall out of the top 10. Ultimately, I think the price to move up will be too high, and Holmes will look to move down a few spots and acquire a much-needed third-round pick.
Trade Details:
Cleveland Browns receive: Pick 17
Detroit Lions receive: Picks 24 and 70
Round 1, Pick 24: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
If the rumors about switching Penei Sewell to left tackle are true, as they should be, the Lions’ options for drafting a tackle greatly increase. Blake Miller is a day-one starter at RT for any team that drafts him. With Sewell moving to LT, that team should be the Lions.
Miller, at 6’7 and 315 pounds, is a nasty blocker with elite size and a ton of experience. Miller has accumulated 54 consecutive starts in college, never missing a game (and only one practice). That consistency and toughness will endear him to Dan Campbell and Lions’ fans.
An outstanding pass blocker, Miller possesses refined technique and heavy hands. Achieving a RAS score of 9.97, Miller is one of the most athletic tackle prospects in recent memory. The 22-year-old has all of the traits the Lions crave in a first-round pick.
Round 2, Pick 50: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
Finding a long-term tackle and edge rusher with their top two picks would be a great start to this draft for the Lions. Like Blake Miller, Derrick Moore has the grit factor the Lions covet. Moore, at 6’3 and 260 pounds, has good size and can line up all over the defensive line. Positional versatility is a very valuable commodity for Kelvin Sheppard’s defense.
Moore exploded in 2025 for Michigan. With a devastating bull rush as the top move in his pass-rush arsenal, Moore powered his way to 10 sacks and 41 pressures in his final college season. The Lions signed D.J. Wonnum in free agency to bolster their edge group. Wonnum is a much better run stopper than a pass rusher. Moore can finally provide Detroit with a strong complement to superstar Aidan Hutchinson.
An edge room with Hutchinson, Moore, Wonnum, and Payton Turner would be extremely formidable, giving the Lions’ defense an extra gear that it has lacked over the past few seasons.
Round 3, Pick 70 (From Cleveland): Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Using the extra pick acquired by trading down in the first round, Detroit grabs Kyle Louis, my top draft crush for the Lions. I admit I am trying to will this pick into existence. I don’t believe Louis will be available at Pick 118, so the Lions will likely need a third-round selection to get him. If that happens, Louis would provide the Detroit defense with a dynamic chess piece who can be used all over the field.
Often compared to Hall of Famers Derricks Brooks and Lavonte David, Louis would be an excellent replacement for Alex Anzalone. Louis is a playmaker, no matter where he lines up. Put him in the box, the slot, or covering RBs out of the backfield, and Louis will make his presence felt. The highly productive former Panther can both tackle and rush the passer, even snagging six INTs over his final two seasons at Pitt.
Round 4, Pick 118: Jalen Kilgore, S, South Carolina
With uncertainty lingering around Kerby Joseph’s chronic left knee injury and Brian Branch still recovering from a torn Achilles, the Lions would be wise to grab a young safety. Kilgore is an intriguing possibility for Detroit.
Kilgore has a knack for creating turnovers, accumulating seven INTs and two fumble recoveries over his last two collegiate seasons. The former Gamecock was one of the top performers at the 2026 Combine. Kilgore measured at 6’1 and 211 pounds and then ran a blistering 4.40 in the forty. He backed that up in explosion drills, reaching 37 inches on his vertical and hitting a 10’10” broad jump, earning an impressive 9.97 RAS score.
Drafting Kilgore would provide an immediate boost to Detroit’s secondary. Kilgore could compete for a starting spot if Branch and Joseph miss time, while also providing excellent depth once the Lions’ star duo is healthy again.
Round 4, Pick 128 (From Houston): Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Charles Demmings is no longer a well-kept secret in this draft. I have mocked him to the Lions previously in the late rounds, but it is no longer likely he makes it past the fourth round. Reports have linked the Lions to top CB prospect Jermod McCoy in the first round. If McCoy is gone or Detroit focuses on more pressing needs, Demmings is a prospect whom the Lions should be very interested in.
It is easy to see why. Demmings turned a lot of heads at the Combine. With excellent size for a CB at 6’1 and 193 pounds, Demmings wowed with a 4.41 forty, an insane 43-inch vertical, and an 11-foot broad jump. Athleticism like that makes NFL coaches salivate, resulting in Demmings flying up draft boards.
It will take time and patience for the small-school standout to reach his ceiling in the NFL, but the payoff could be great. The Lions need to add talent at CB, especially with Terrion Arnold’s legal strife still unresolved. Demmings has plenty of talent and can develop into a difference-maker for the Lions.
Round 5, Pick 157: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
One of my top targets for the Lions, Roush would be an outstanding fit for new OC Drew Petzing’s offense. Even after signing Tyler Conklin in free agency, the Lions could still add to their TE room.
Roush, at 6’5 and 260 pounds, is one of the best blocking TEs in this draft. However, Roush is still talented enough as a receiver to be utilized in all situations. Roush can be a factor in the intermediate passing game, while also giving Detroit another weapon in the red zone. Roush can become a top-end TE2 behind Sam LaPorta.
Round 5, Pick 181 (Compensatory Selection): Jordan van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech
Whenever someone scores a perfect 10.00 RAS, it generates some buzz. Especially when that someone is 6’3 and 310 pounds. Meet Jordan van den Berg. You will be hearing a lot about him in the next week.
This athletic freak from Georgia Tech isn’t just someone who was flying under the radar. There was no radar. Van den Berg wasn’t even invited to the Combine in February. Georgia Tech’s Pro Day revealed what a mistake that was, as van den Berg put on a show for the ages. A 36-inch vertical jump, 9’11” broad jump, and 4.19-second short shuttle (tied for best DT time since 2010) has firmly put van den Berg on the map.
The Lions, who lost valuable DT Roy Lopez (most likely D.J. Reader, as well), should take a gamble on a rare athlete like van den Berg. Detroit has a need at DT. Why not fill it with someone who has physical traits and potential that other DT prospects couldn’t even dream of?
Round 6, Pick 205 (From Jacksonville): Micah Morris, G, Georgia
Speaking of athletic marvels, Micah Morris earned a 9.97 RAS, good for 7th out of 1750 guards since 1987. Morris is a monster of a man at 6’5 and 335 pounds. The Lions should definitely give Morris a long look as a developmental guard.
Morris is strong and has shown excellent grip strength. The former Bulldog is poised, and his tape shows solid movement skills, taking good angles on his blocks. Morris is exactly the kind of high-potential lottery ticket teams should be looking for in the late rounds.
Round 6, Pick 213 (From Seattle Via Jacksonville): Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Isaiah World is both a fascinating and polarizing prospect. Once thought of as a potential first overall pick, World’s stock has fallen considerably. Still, the 6’8, 320-pound tackle has a “world” of talent (I’ll see myself out) who would be a terrific gamble for the Lions.
World’s rookie season will most likely be a redshirt year after tearing his ACL in the CFP Semifinal loss against Indiana. Brad Holmes drafted Giovanni Manu as a developmental tackle in 2024, and that move has not paid off. With Manu possibly on his way out in Detroit, Holmes could turn to World as a high-risk, high-reward prospect in a premium position. If the Lions hit on World, he could be the steal of the draft.
Round 7, Pick 222 (From Cleveland): Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
Desmond Reid carving out a role in the NFL and becoming a dynamic playmaker is a hill I am willing to die on. The diminutive Reid, at 5’6 and 180 pounds, is a weapon as a runner, receiver, and returner. Get Reid the ball in space, and fireworks will follow.
Of course, Reid’s small stature makes him injury-prone, so his role in the NFL will likely be limited. The Lions, who already have a solid stable of RBs, would be a perfect destination for a player like Reid. Detroit could deploy the former Panther on gadget plays. Reid could also serve as insurance if the newly acquired Greg Dortch should miss any time.
There you have it. With less than a week to go, I am getting very excited about what the Lions will do in the draft. What do you think of this mock? Let me know in the comments below.
