The Detroit Lions have been pretty solid with developing their earlier round draft picks into rotation players. Even in 2025, Tyleik Williams managed to end up one of their better run defending linemen despite a slow start, finishing up with a PFF grade of 62.6 overall on the season.
It's what makes the idea of them taking a swing on a potential addition to their pass rush and defensive line in the first round so enticing. At 17th overall, they should have some decent talent still falling to them. In our latest 7-round mock draft, they snag a defensive lineman who could act as a nice pass-rushing punch nex to Aidan Hutchinson and, potentially, Al-Quadin Muhammad.
Peter Woods, a defensive lineman from Clemson, has been a top prospect throughout his college career. According to ESPN's Matt Miller, it's possible he lands somewhere in the top-10 of the draft order because of his talent as a high-motor pocket disruptor. In our mock, he lands comfortably at 17 to the Lions.
7-round mock draft has Lions stealing Clemson stand-out
Round 1, Pick 17: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
If the Lions lose D.J. Reader this offseason and decide to throw Alim McNeill into a trade for more draft capital or additional help in their secondary - just as a hypothetical - they would want to shore up their D-line again. Woods is a perfect investment on that front. From Miller on Woods' value in this year's draft:
"Woods is a 3-technique defensive tackle with the quickness to be an immediate pocket disruptor in the NFL. He gets double-teamed a lot because offensive linemen struggle to match his first step in one-on-one situations. Woods has the strength to counter that, accumulating five career sacks and 42 hurries despite the extra attention."
Imagining a world where second-year Williams, rookie Woods, Hutchinson, and ideally Muhammad anchor this line is a good one.
Round 2, Pick 50: OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa
It's no secret that the Lions have to get reinforcements along their entire offensive line, including at tackle, with Taylor Decker potentially retiring this offseason. If so, Dunker could be a solid investment to make at 50th overall. The Iowa product is another mullet-rockin' big-man that would add to an offensive line that has to get younger, and one with solid pass protection and run blocking grades.
This might be too high for the Lions to take a tackle, but they do need to consider investing this much into a higher-end tackle. It's either that, or a higher-end interior offensive lineman.
Round 4, Pick 118: IOL Logan Jones, Iowa
Pulling from the Hawkeyes' line once again, the Lions take Logan Jones at 118th overall in this mock draft. Jones has been one of the top centers in college football in 2025, earning a mid-season award for best center overall by PFF. Detroit is not likely to invest any more time into Graham Glasgow at center, and it's unclear what succession plan currently exists on their roster.
They also likely can't afford the top center to hit free agency this offseason, Tyler Linderbaum, so taking Jones here feels like an obvious choice.
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Round 5, Pick 155: LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
Detroit has to invest beyond Woods in their defense, and they also need some insurance in case Alex Anzalone walks in free agency. Trotter is a sophomore linebacker out of Missouri who had 43 solo tackles and two sacks this season. He led all SEC linebackers at one point in this past season in run defense per PFF, and had 13 tackles for loss on the year.
He would be a sneakily great get at this point in the draft.
Round 5, Pick 181: TE Jack Endries, Texas
Detroit might need to prepare for a slower start from Sam LaPorta headed into next season, and taking a tight end later in the draft could help out with their depth in that room. They'll still have Shane Zyltra signed through 2026, but just in case LaPorta isn't ready to go right away in 2026, they could potentially add 3rd-ranked Jack Endries to their options.
Round 6, Pick 188 (via CLE): EDGE Tyreak Sapp, Florida
Adding depth again, the Lions go with Tyreak Sapp with their last sixth round pick. Sapp posted just one sack and 34 total tackles during the 2025 season, so he'd be a project pick, for sure.
Round 6, Pick 209 (via JAX): IOL Sheridan Wilson, Texas Tech
Wilson would add another project to the Lions trenches, this time on the defensive end. The center had a very impressive 2025 with Texas Tech, allowing zero sacks and only three pressures. But, the competition wasn't very strong in the Big 12. Still, a worthy investment this late in the draft.
Round 7, Pick 222 (via CLE): IOL Logan Taylor, Boston
With their "final" mock pick (the Lions are likely to pick up a 4th rounder as compensation from the league, but it's unclear where they'll be picking with it), the team takes IOL Logan Taylor. He'd be adding to the Lions' guard room as a depth piece if the team isn't totally sold on the viability of Christian Mahogany and Kayode Awosika for a full season.
*An earlier version of this piece had the Lions' compensatory 4th-round pick attributed to the team losing Aaron Glenn last season. That was incorrect, and we've corrected the error.