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Detroit Lions

NFC NFC North

Draft Needs

Priority Position Level Target Round Notes
1 OC CRITICAL Round 1 Frank Ragnow's retirement last offseason and continued instability at center is the most glaring need; signed Cade Mays to help but need a true long-term answer at center
2 EDGE HIGH Round 1 Aidan Hutchinson needs a complementary pass rusher; traded David Montgomery to HOU but defensive improvements require a second premium EDGE opposite Hutchinson
3 CB HIGH Round 2 Secondary injuries hampered man-coverage approach; three CBs are priority needs per WalterFootball; cornerback depth and a true CB1 are needed for the secondary
4 OT HIGH Round 3 Right tackle depth is a need; team is over the cap (-$6.53M) and needs cost-effective OL solutions to protect Jared Goff's blindside
5 DT MEDIUM Round 3 Interior defensive line needs reinforcement; Levi Onwuzurike and Roy Lopez hit free agency and D.J. Reader turns 32; signed Isiah Pacheco for RB but DT depth needed
6 LB MEDIUM Round 4 Linebacker depth has been a persistent need; need an athletic second-level defender who can handle the run and drop into coverage in Dan Campbell's defense

Draft Strategy

Balanced Approach

This team takes a balanced approach, weighing both player value and team needs. They will take the best player available when the value is clear, but will also factor in positional need when players are similarly rated.

Team Info

Detroit
City
Lions
Nickname
NFC
Conference
North
Division

2026 Draft Picks

9
Total Picks
1
Round 1
2
Top 3 Rounds
1
Compensatory
Round Pick Overall Type Original Team
Rd 1 17 #17 OWN -
Rd 2 50 #50 OWN -
Rd 4 118 #118 OWN -
Rd 4 128 #128 TRADE HOU
Rd 5 157 #157 OWN -
Rd 5 181 #181 COMP -
Rd 6 205 #205 TRADE JAX
Rd 6 213 #213 TRADE SEA
Rd 7 222 #222 TRADE CLE

Needs Summary

1 OC CRITICAL
2 EDGE HIGH
3 CB HIGH
4 OT HIGH
5 DT MEDIUM
6 LB MEDIUM

2026 Offseason Moves

+ Additions

Cade Mays C FREE AGENCY
from CAR $8.3M/yr 3yr
Christian Izien S FREE AGENCY
from FA 1-year deal; safety depth
Isiah Pacheco RB FREE AGENCY
from KC $1.8M/yr 1yr
Juice Scruggs OG TRADE
from HOU Acquired from Houston Texans along with a 2026 4th-round pick and 2027 7th-round pick in exchange for David Montgomery
Larry Borom OT FREE AGENCY
from FA 1-year deal; offensive tackle depth
Malcolm Rodriguez LB FREE AGENCY
from DET Re-signed on 1-year deal
Rock Ya-Sin CB FREE AGENCY
from FA $4.0M/yr 1yr
Teddy Bridgewater QB FREE AGENCY
from FA Signed as backup QB

− Losses

Alex Anzalone LB FREE AGENCY
to TB $8.5M/yr 2yr
Amik Robertson CB FREE AGENCY
to WAS $8.0M/yr 2yr
David Montgomery RB TRADE
to HOU Traded to Houston Texans for Juice Scruggs, a 2026 4th-round pick, and a 2027 7th-round pick
Kalif Raymond WR FREE AGENCY
to CHI $5.1M/yr 1yr
Kyle Allen QB FREE AGENCY
to BUF $3.0M/yr 2yr
Roy Lopez DT FREE AGENCY
to ARI $5.8M/yr 2yr
Taylor Decker OT RELEASE
Requested release; veteran offensive tackle departed