By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions are no longer sniffing around respectability — they’re stalking a title. If this early 2026 mock draft is any indication, Brad Holmes and company aren’t just content with being competitive anymore. The front office is drafting like a team that’s tired of coming up short and ready to seal the deal. This isn’t about future-proofing. It’s about finishing the job.
And the message is loud and clear: stack the defense, and go win a Super Bowl.
Planning for Pick No. 32 — Because Why Not?
Sure, it’s early to talk draft when we haven’t even seen how the 2025 season plays out. But if everything goes the way fans are hoping — and if the Lions keep building on last season’s momentum — Detroit could be picking at or near the very bottom of the first round.
Which would mean only one thing: they’ve been to the Big Game.
So, with the help of NFL Mock Draft Database’s simulation, let’s peek at what Detroit’s front office could be cooking for 2026. This 5-round projection assumes they still hold four picks (thanks to that Isaac TeSlaa trade) and want to stay ferocious on defense.
Round 1, Pick 29: Deonte Lawson – LB, Alabama
Let’s start with a thumper.
Alabama linebacker Deonte Lawson lands in Detroit in this mock, and he’s got “Dan Campbell guy” written all over him. Physical, disciplined, and experienced, Lawson has racked up 194 tackles, 16 TFLs, five sacks, and a dozen pass deflections over four seasons with the Crimson Tide.
He’s a classic box linebacker with the kind of downhill explosion and IQ that would pair beautifully with Aidan Hutchinson’s chaos up front. Add him to a linebacker room already stocked with Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, and Derrick Barnes, and you’ve got a nasty crew built to punish.
Round 2, Pick 61: Anto Saka – EDGE, Northwestern
Detroit doubles down on defense with Anto Saka, a fast, aggressive edge rusher with upside to burn.
Saka isn’t a household name — yet — but his speed and burst are evident. He’s raw, yes, but under a coaching staff like Detroit’s, that potential could easily translate into real impact. With only 3.5 sacks in 2025, he’s got something to prove, and the Lions love that kind of hunger.
Think of this pick as a future weapon in Detroit’s growing pass rush arsenal.
Round 5, Pick 129: Daylen Everette – CB, Georgia
Another round, another defender.
Daylen Everette brings some intriguing tools to Detroit’s secondary. At Georgia, he logged 45 solo tackles, three picks, and two forced fumbles last season — showing both production and playmaking instincts. He’s athletic but needs polish — something the Lions’ coaching staff has shown a knack for developing.
He’s not CB1 material yet, but as a mid-round steal? He fits perfectly as depth with high upside, especially in a conference loaded with elite wideouts.
Defense, Defense, and More Defense
No offensive linemen. No flashy skill players. No quarterbacks. That’s intentional.
This draft projection screams a shift in attitude. The Lions are drafting like a team with a loaded offense and a singular goal — patch every defensive hole that’s kept them from ultimate glory.
Lawson. Saka. Everette. All hungry. All athletic. All pointing to a front office focused on now, not next.
The Takeaway
This isn’t just a random early mock draft. It’s a declaration.
Detroit isn’t dreaming anymore. They’re building. Stacking strength on top of strength. And come 2026, they’re not looking to surprise the NFL. They’re planning to own it.
If this draft reflects their mindset — buckle up. The Lions aren’t falling short again.