Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Sadly, the Detroit Lions finished the season 9-8 and did not make the playoffs. Injuries again plagued the team, especially in the secondary and along the offensive line. As Lions fans prepare to root against the Bears in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs when they host Mathew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, let’s have a little fun considering who the Lions should draft to regain their place atop the NFC North next season. 

Per detroitlions.com, the Lions currently have seven picks in this year’s draft and should see a 4th round compensatory pick. 

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 4
• Round 4 (compensatory) 
• Round 5
• Round 6 (from Cleveland)
• Round 6 (from Jacksonville)
• Round 7 (from Cleveland)

I used PFSN’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator. It’s easy to navigate and includes scouting profiles for most players, but you have to tolerate a lot of pop up ads. Here’s my picks and the logic behind them. 

R1, Pick 17: Spencer Fano, Offensive Tackle, Utah 

Fano is rated as Mel Kiper Jr.’s 12th overall prospect and second best offensive lineman. He’s widely considered a can’t miss prospect who backed up his blue chip talent with pristine performance. Fano allowed zero sacks over all 12 games he played during the 2025 season. 

Is offensive tackle an immediate need? Not necessarily compared to other needs, but if the draft board falls this way, Lions General Manager Brad Holmes should pounce. Left tackle Taylor Decker will be 32 years old when next season starts. He’s played 140 games over 10 seasons. Last season, Decker ranked 41st among offensive tackles, with a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 67.9 and two sacks allowed. 

Overall, Jared Goff was sacked more in 2025 than any season in his 10-year career, adding to an alarming trend where his sacks have increased each of the last three seasons (30, 31 and 38). The Lions know they need to improve the offensive line and prepare for both the future and potential injuries. 

Of note, Decker’s cap hit in 2026 exceeds $21 million. If Fano falls to the 17th overall pick, drafting him is an easy call. Restructuring or trading Decker’s contract becomes an option.

R2, Pick 50: LT Overton, Edge, Alabama 

At 6’5” and 278 lbs., Overton is big and explosive. Imagine him and Aidan Hutchinson crashing down on the quarterback, either from opposite sides of the defensive line or loaded from one side. Adding Overton would put fear in the hearts of opposing NFC North quarterbacks, coaches and fans. 

R4, Pick 118: Nicholas Singleton, Running Back, Penn State 

Jahmyr Gibbs will continue to be RB1, but recent comments by Brad Holmes seem to be preparing the team and city for losing David Montgomery. This is a classic Holmes’ move, too, adding strength on strength. Singleton is a big back (6’0”, 224 lbs.) with elite speed (23.6 mph in-game). Defenses will have to focus on stopping Gibbs and Singleton every play. One missed tackle, and either back will make a house call from anywhere on the field, run or pass. 

R4, Pick 155: Jake Slaughter, Center, Florida 

Center is a glaring hole on the Lions roster and must be addressed. Slaughter is a proven talent at the college level, with prototypical size at 6’5” and 303 lbs. 

R5, Pick 203: Drew Allar, Quarterback, Penn State 

Allar is the prototype of a classic NFL quarterback… 6’5”, 241 lbs., and a rocket arm. He broke his ankle in late October, requiring surgery and ending a quality college career. In Round 5, the Lions can afford to draft Allar and have him learn behind Goff for the short term. Allar is only 21 years old, but played in 45 games at Penn State. He has the upside to be a starter in the NFL.

R6, Pick 211: DJ Campbell, Guard, Texas 

Strong, mauling force in the middle of the offensive line. Great prospect given the value this late in the draft. Best player available. 

R6, Pick 212: Cole Wisniewski, Safety, Texas Tech 

At 6’4” and 218 lbs., Wisniewski can support the run or match up with tight ends and bigger receivers in coverage, especially in the red zone. Andrew Harbaugh, of Vikings Wire, had this to say: 

“Cole Wisniweski had a quiet 2025, but that does not mean he should be dismissed from the idea of being an NFL starter sooner rather than later. He is a dominant force in run support, but he is sneaky with his range and how well he covers the back end of defenses.” 

R6, Pick 222: Dontae Balfour, Cornerback, Texas Tech 

The Lions were thin at cornerback in 2025 due to injuries. Balfour has good size at 6’1” and 185 lbs. 

For me, I’d like to see the Lions take the best player available approach when they’re on the clock this April. That doesn’t mean neglecting positions of need. Brad Holmes can be trusted to rebuild the Lions roster after age and injury proved costly in 2025. 

Let us know your thoughts. 

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