The Detroit Lions went an expected route with their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th overall pick. Miller literally checks every box that screams "Detroit Lion", and as the draft approached it was easy to see the fit.
Now, due to the trade up to draft wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa last year, the Lions enter Day 2 with just one pick between the two rounds (No. 50 overall). A trade up at some point in the night is possible, with seven Day 3 selections coming on Saturday, as is a trade down to likely add a third-round pick.
But as of now let's assume the Lions "stick and pick" at 50th overall Friday night. Otherwise, maybe they make a small move up to get a player they especially covet or down if they add a third-rounder and still get their guy. Something significant one way or the other would be surprising.
The Lions' division and conference rivals should have real fear they can lay the foundation for a rebound season in this draft.
With that in mind, and really league-wide if we get down to it, these five draft prospects cannot be allowed to fall to the Lions around where they currently sit on Day 2.
5 draft prospects the league cannot let fall into the Lions' range on Day 2 of the 2026 draft
5. S/CB Treydan Stukes
With health concerns around both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, safety could be on the Lions' radar before thisdraft is over. Stukes is listed as a safety, since that's where he'll play at the next level, but he actually played cornerback (slot and outside) more than anywhere else during his six-year career at Arizona.
If Stukes were to fall all the way into the Lions' stratosphere in the second round, it would be largely due to turning 25 early in his rookie season and where that'll put him age-wise when it comes time for a second contract. He returned from the knee injury that shortened his 2024 campaign with his best season last year (four interceptions, 52 total tackles in 10 games).
Stukes profiles a lot like Branch--a versatile chess piece able to play all over a secondary and do so quite well. The Lions would happily add him to their safety room if they can.
4. DE Gabe Jacas
In terms of the Lions' biggest needs in this draft, edge rusher now stand as No. 1 after the selection of Miller to fill the void at offensive tackle.
Similarly to Miller at Clemson, Jacas started 43 games over four years at Illinois. But he really hit his stride over his last two seasons in Champaign, totaling 19 sacks (11 in 2025 and 26.5 tackles for loss (13.5 last season) while earning an All Big Ten Team selection on both campaigns (Third and Second-Team respectively.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller had Jacas and the Lions as one of his best Day 2 matches, with another piece of background the Illinois product shares with Miller.
"Jacas is a heavy-handed slugger ready to go pound for pound against NFL tackles. A prolific high school wrestler, Jacas has impressive core and grip strength, which allows him to ragdoll bigger bodies against both the run and the pass. He doesn't have the quickest first step, but he has a deep bag of quick strikes developed over 43 starts that allows him to soften angles in the pass rush."
The Lions have a physical template they covet in edge players, and Jacas (6-foot-3 and 5/8, 260 pounds, 33-inch arms) fits it perfectly. There are some available edge rushers for Day 2 that are easy to like more, but Jacas is no slouch himself.
3. CB D'Angelo Ponds
As Terrion Arnold enters his third season with one career interception, and with a general lingering issue with penalties (six in eight games last season), the Lions could use another playmaker at cornerback.
Enter Ponds, who plays way bigger than his 5-foot-8, 182-pound frame with speed and ball skills (33 pass breakups over three college seasons) in equal spades. He may be pigeonholed as a slot/nickel corner at the next level, but that could be a dangerous short-changing of all he brings to the table.
Ponds' playing mentality and swagger looks like an easy fit with the Lions.
READ MORE: Adam Schefter throws cold water on a potential Lions trade for an EDGE
2. DE T.J. Parker
Now back to the edge rusher portion of our program. Like many of his Clemson linemates, Parker had a disappointing 2025 campaign with just five sacks. But he still had 9.5 tackles for loss last season, and what he did in 2024 (11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles) stands out and nearly one-third of his total tackles over three seasons were TFLs.
Similarly to his former teammate the Lions have already drafted, Parker played in 39 straight games to finish his college career. He also fits the physical profile Detroit wants in edge rushers (6-foot-3, 263 pounds, 33 and 1/8-inch arms).
1. DE Zion Young
Speaking of ideal available edge rusher fits for the Lions heading into Day 2, there's a strong case for Young at No. 1. While his sack production in college does not leap off the page, he did have 57 pressures last season (according to Pro Football Focus) along with 16.5 tackles for loss.
Terms like "game-wrecker", "violent" and "majors in block destruction" are used to desribe what Young does, particularly against the run. He isn't the most athletic or traits-filled edge player compared to some of his peers in this draft class, but he has a lot of room to evolve as a pass rusher along with the things he brings that you cannot teach (length, play demeanor).
If Young falls to No. 50, as he did in Miller's Day 2 mock draft, subsequent video from the Lions' draft room is sure to show a high level of exuberance.
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