Detroit has three very clear holes to fill on their roster this offseason: finding a true backup at left tackle in case Taylor Decker retires, finding a center that can replace Graham Glasgow and ensure Tate Ratledge continues to develop into a great guard, and finding an EDGE to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson and potentially back up Al-Quadin Muhammad.
The draft offers some answers for a few of these roster holes. The Lions just have to hope they hit on one or two of these holes within the first few rounds of the draft, where more premium talent will be available. Anything after the 2nd round is going to be shaky ground, considering how poorly general manager Brad Holmes has done in those rounds.
In our latest 3-round mock draft, simulated using NFL Mock Draft Simulator, the Lions attempt to address tackle and EDGE with their 17th and 50th overall picks. One pick is obvious, while the other might need some research.
Lions address tackle, EDGE in latest 3-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 17: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
This name has cropped up a lot as falling to the Lions at 17th overall, likely with the value of Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa skyrocketing recently. You need premier talent on your line to survive in this league and make deep postseason runs as defenses tend to just get better and better, so the Lions snag one of the best tackles in the class by taking Proctor at 17th overall in this mock draft.
Proctor posted a 81.9 pass blocking grade in 2025, and a 85.2 grade overall according to PFF. He allowed just two sacks on the season and four quarterback hits, but did give up a notable 19 pressures. Still, the sheer number of snaps he took in 2025 - 878 - with 857 of those taken at left tackle, show his value to a roster like the Lions'.
Also fun: Proctor played some snaps at tight end, showing he could be utilized as a down-field blocker and potential receiver in one of Dan Campbell's hair-brained schemes, if he's moved.
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Round 2, Pick 50: R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
With no third rounder in this year's draft, the Lions pick last in this mock at 50th overall. With that pick, they take Oklahoma Sooner EDGE R Mason Thomas.
Thomas had 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the year with the Sooners, He's a bit on the smaller size for an edge rusher, but the Lions also have the benefit of Hutchinson already on their line to make up for those potentially exploitable mismatches against Thomas.
Thomas would be a nice backup to Muhammad if the Lions are able to re-sign him given that he does need some work as a run defender, but he's definitely worth the investment at this point in the draft. If not Thomas, the Lions should be focused on a center or safety at this point in the draft, assuming all premier cornerbacks are already gone at this stage.