After the Detroit Lions received news that Brian Branch would be out for the year with a torn Achilles suffered against the Dallas Cowboys, one thing should have become immediately clear for fans: the team has to take a safety in the 2026 NFL draft.
There aren't many options at safety once we're past many mock drafts in the first round, headed into this year's class, which means the Lions should stand pat and take a position of need in the first round - an edge rusher or, even better, someone to shore up their guard or tackle room.
There are plenty of talented tackles that should be available for Detroit to snag in this draft, but they might need to seriously consider nabbing a safety in the second round. One that could be available, and one that we've drafted in our last mock draft done on NFL Mock Draft Simulator is Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman.
Lions snag safety early in latest NFL mock draft
Thieneman, the seventh-best safety in his positional class per NFL Draft Buzz, is a junior apart of the currently dominant Big Ten Ducks squad. He's got a major hit stick in his arsenal, and could be a scary complement to Jack Campbell in the Lions' defense if the team were to take a swing on him. This is especially important if the team loses Alex Anzalone this offseason.
Shades of Carson Schwesinger ooze off of Thieneman in clips of him from his playing days with Purdue and now with Oregon, and that sort of tough-nosed tackling and ball tracking is what the Lions like on their defense and in their secondary. He hasn't been as much of a turnover machine as in his freshman year with the Boilermakers, only pulling in two interceptions so far this season.
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But, his tackling and run stopping are what make him a solid prospect.
Other than Thieneman, the Lions also take a top projected tackle in Spencer Fano in this mock draft. Fano, who currently plays for the Utah Utes, is considered the number one offensive tackle coming out of the 2026 class. If the Lions wanted to add insurance behind Frank Ragnow, this is the perfect player to do that with.
Other areas of need, such as at edge rusher and left guard, might need to be addressed in free agency and on the trade market, depending on how much finesse Brad Holmes has in this year's draft. As of now, Detroit has two picks through the first two rounds and no third-rounder.