A hard truth? The Detroit Lions' defense is set to be unbelievably shorthanded headed into 2026.
Brian Branch tore his Achilles late in 2025, meaning he won't be ready to go for the Lions until late in 2026 - maybe as a surprise postseason roster addition, if they make it that far. Kerby Joseph is also looking worse for wear, as he's dealing with a chronic knee issue that could leave him sidelined throughout the season.
This leaves Detroit with yet another hole they have to fill this offseason. It's not enough that they're shorthanded at edge rusher, tackle, and center - now, they've got to find help at safety.
The 2026 NFL Draft will have a prime safety available in the first round...and far before the Lions pick at 17th overall. That doesn't mean they can make moves to land the second-best option in the draft at safety, though.
4-round mock draft has Lions taking Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph replacement
Round 1, Pick 17: EDGE Cashius Howell
Detroit obviously needs pop along their line, and with Al-Quadin Muhammad set to walk in free agency, Cashius Howell is a nice replacement. Howell finished up his Texas A&M career with 11.5 sacks, six passes defended, and 31 total tackles.
He could be a sleeper in this draft that's already a deep one at edge rusher, and he could fall to the Lions at 17 just because of how many other potentially elite pass rushers will be available ahead of him. Detroit should go for an EDGE here, especially since they still don't know what Taylor Decker's plans are for 2026.
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Round 2, Pick 50: S Dillon Thieneman
With Caleb Downs being far and away the best safety option in this year's draft, the Lions could end up snagging Thieneman at 50th overall. The Oregon Ducks defender is not afraid of contact, and impacts passing plays with deflections and turnovers. Detroit just finished up their 2025 season with very few turnovers generated, which impacted the defenses ability to get off the field.
Thieneman could add that back to the fold for them in Year 1, which could be huge for the Lions' defense with both Branch and Joseph out for a potentially huge chunk of time in 2026.
Round 4, Pick 118: T Dametrious Crownover
Of course, we can't do a Lions mock draft without them taking a tackle. Brad Holmes loves projects, and Crownover would be the perfect, big tackle to develop behind Decker if he decides to go one more season. If Decker does decide to retire, though, you'd hope he lets the team know about that plan prior to April.
If he does stick around, Crownover is a developmental lineman for Detroit to invest time in. You're probably asking at this point, "why would the Lions basically re-do their Giovanni Manu decision rather than just giving Manu one more year to develop?" The answer to that question is, this is a mock draft, and we prioritized defense this go-around.
One note on Crownover courtesy Bleacher Report's Brandon Thorn that'll probably turn Lions fans off from this pick:
"Dametrious Crownover is a towering figure, who casts a wide net to cover up targets initially while bringing good physicality and effort as a finisher. These traits are accompanied by mediocre lateral quickness, an upright play-style and shaky anchor, which will make it difficult to rely on him as anything more than a long-term developmental tackle with swing upside during his rookie contract."
Taking a tackle in the first or second round is probably safest for Holmes this year - no more project picks for your blind side.