2026 Detroit Lions Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

Draft Capital: 7 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: September 07, 2026

Overview

Detroit Lions enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 7 selections. Biggest needs: Cornerback, IDL, IOL.

Complete Draft Class:

Round 1 (#21): Kelley Jones, Cornerback, Mississippi State — Grade B+

Round 2 (#53): AJ Holmes Jr, Defensive Line, Texas Tech — Grade B

Round 3 (#85): Wendell Gregory, Edge Rusher,

Kansas State

— Grade C+

Round 4 (#117): Peter Clarke, Tight End,

Temple

— Grade C

Round 5 (#149): Kip Lewis, Outside Linebacker,

Oklahoma

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#181): Alani Noa, Offensive Guard,

USC

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#213): Amare Thomas, Wide Receiver,

Houston

— Grade C-

View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →

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Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis

Pick #21 - Detroit Lions: Kelley Jones, Cornerback, Mississippi State

Rank: #25 overall | Grade: B+ Why This Pick:

Critical need filled. Detroit Lions desperately needed Cornerback help (need #1), and Kelley Jones was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

The Fit:

Kelley Jones brings immediate impact to Detroit Lions. Kelley Jones is one of the fastest risers in the 2027 cornerback class, a long, rangy press-man corner who turned a single breakout season into legitimate first-round buzz. A four-star 2023 recruit out of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Jones spent early ti... His best trait—elite length and height for the position at 6-4 with the wingspan to contest at the catch point—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Emmanuel Forbes (long, ball-hawking Mississippi State corner with elite length and a slight frame)-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Elite length and height for the position at 6-4 with the wingspan to contest at the catch point

Weaknesses: Limited body of high-level tape, with essentially one breakout season to evaluate

NFL Comp: Emmanuel Forbes (long, ball-hawking Mississippi State corner with elite length and a slight frame)

Full scouting report for Kelley Jones → | See Detroit Lions 7-round draft →

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Pick #53 - Detroit Lions: AJ Holmes Jr, Defensive Line, Texas Tech

Rank: #47 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:

Best player available. Detroit Lions needed Cornerback help, but AJ Holmes Jr (ranked #47) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.

The Fit:

AJ Holmes Jr brings immediate impact to Detroit Lions. Holmes is the kind of interior anchor a defense builds its run front around, and 2025 gave that base a pass-rush dimension that lifts the whole profile. He wins early with leverage, gets his hands inside quickly, and resets the line of scrimmage agai... His best trait—elite run defender graded near the top of the position over heavy snaps—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Poona Ford (stout, leverage-and-hands interior anchor who wins the run rep despite unremarkable timed speed)-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Elite run defender graded near the top of the position over heavy snaps

Weaknesses: Ordinary tackle finish with four missed tackles on the year

NFL Comp: Poona Ford (stout, leverage-and-hands interior anchor who wins the run rep despite unremarkable timed speed)

Full scouting report for AJ Holmes Jr → | See Detroit Lions 7-round draft →

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Pick #85 - Detroit Lions: Wendell Gregory, Edge Rusher,

Kansas State

Rank: #85 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:

Addresses key depth concern. While Edge Rusher wasn't the top priority, Wendell Gregory's talent at #85 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.

The Fit:

Wendell Gregory is a Edge Rusher who can contribute immediately in Detroit Lions's system. His college production and athleticism profile suggest he'll succeed at the next level. Evaluators see him as a day-one contributor.

Strengths: nan

Weaknesses: nan

Full scouting report for Wendell Gregory → | See Detroit Lions 7-round draft →

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Pick #117: Peter Clarke (Tight End,

Temple

) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #149: Kip Lewis (Outside Linebacker,

Oklahoma

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #181: Alani Noa (Offensive Guard,

USC

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #213: Amare Thomas (Wide Receiver,

Houston

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

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Draft Class Summary

Overall Grade: B | 7 positions addressed across 7 picks.

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