In our final 7-round mock draft for the Detroit Lions, we land the team several potential starters, and a few other solid options to backup often injured positions.
While the team has no third round pick (as of yet), the Lions still hold nine total selections over three days in Pittsburgh. General manager Brad Holmes has to feel good about that, especially as the team is looking to cheaply fill in gaps left behind by several key free agent departures.
We conducted this mock draft using NFL Mock Draft Database's free tool, which predicts what all 31 other teams will do ahead of, and after, the Lions select a player. We also have a 2026 NFL draft tracker, where you can keep up with all nine selections made by Detroit.
Lions 7-round mock draft lands team most obvious fits
With Kadyn Proctor and Monroe Freeling off the board in this mock draft, we selected Spencer Fano out of Utah. The versatile lineman can play left or right tackle, but it feels more likely that he'd be slotted in at RT, with Penei Sewell taking over Taylor Decker's old spot. Fano is 13th on FanSided's NFL draft big board, with writer Mike Luciano saying of Fano:
"No matter where he plays, Fano is going to give whomever drafts him a premium athlete with some of the best pass protection tape you'll see in this draft. Teams that like to get linemen on the move in the running game will love Fano, as his mobility shines when compared to some of the other top tackles in this class."
Fano and Sewell run-blocking on this Lions line feels like a dream, especially with their interior seeing some improvement by way of the Cade Mays signing in free agency. This would be a dream "consolation" pick.
What's better than one former Wolverine on the edge for the Lions? Two.
Moore would be joining forces with another Michigan standout in Aidan Hutchinson, landing in Detroit at 50th overall. While this edge rusher class is deeper than some other positions, it doesn't make sense for the Lions to punt taking a pass rusher until the 4th round - unless someone surprising falls all the way to 50 for them.
Moore finished up his final year with Michigan with a career-high 10 sacks, in addition to two forced fumbles, three passes defended, and 30 total tackles. NFL.com's draft expert Lance Zierlein wrote of Moore:
"Moore is far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles."
Detroit went for the best player available at 118th overall in this mock draft. Clark fills a need at backup safety for the Lions, adding to a room featuring an injured Brian Branch, an injury-prone Kerby Joseph, newly-signed Christian Izien, and re-signed defensive backs in Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox.
Clark finished up his final season at TCU with four interceptions, seven passes defended, and 56 total tackles. He also had a sack in 2025, his first and only of his career. He's described as an eventual average starter by Zierlein, with an apt comparison to a familiar pro by Zierlein: Kerby Joseph.
From Zierlein's profile:
"Clark is a coverage-versatile safety in a cornerback’s body with the talent to range over the top or man up on the slot. He plays with an overriding desire to do everything all at once – which produces spectacular takeaways and occasional breakdowns – but the good outweighs the bad."
READ MORE: NFL Draft expert thinks Lions would be making huge mistake by selecting Kadyn Proctor
We've mocked Allen to the Lions at this 128th overall selection before, and we stick to our guns in this mock draft, as well. Allen is a decent backup option for Detroit to consider if Isiah Pacheco begins to show signs of slowing down. Allen is an option for the Lions as either a special teams returner or as competition for Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors.
The Lions land a Proctor in this mock draft, but not the one they've been rumored to be enamored by. This Proctor is one with some upside as a pass-rusher up the middle, and is considered a "tweener" by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper. He tabbed Proctor as a sleeper defensive lineman in this year's draft, writing:
"Proctor doesn't have ideal size for an interior defender at 6-foot-2 and 291 pounds, so he's a bit of a tweener. But he is quick as a cat, as we saw during his 4.79-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Proctor can get interior push, with nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season. And if you want to chalk that up to playing in the FCS, watch the LSU game from September, when Proctor had five tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss."
Kiper noted in his blurb on Proctor that he was also impressed by the simple fact that he stayed put at Southeastern Lousiana for his entire collegiate career. That sort of committment should appeal to the Lions, especially for such value.
Detroit could use some added competition to their cornerback room, which is why Prysock landed with the team in this mock draft at 181st overall. Prysock has some room to grow as a defender, with the former Washington Husky not generating many turnovers despite being 6-3.
This knock might remind some Lions fans of Terrion Arnold and his issues with generating turnovers, but Prysock is a lot less of a polished prospect than Arnold was in his draft. But, for a 5th-rounder, it's not that scary of a gamble to snag Prysock.
Lions fans might recognize Burton's name after RAS shared a mind-boggling RAS score for the Kentucky center: 9.88 overall. He tested similarly to NFL players Elgton Jenkins and Connor McGovern, who are both majorly impactful. Being able to snag Burton at 205th overall could be a steal for Detroit, especially since they don't have much reliable depth behind Mays.
If Burton could develop into a backup guard, as well, that's even greater news for Detroit.
Detroit needs some depth at tight end, and Royer was good value at 213th overall in this mock draft. Zierlein has Royer projected as, at most, a good TE2 or TE3 if he can develop into a stronger blocker. That's basically all Detroit needs from a new tight end, with Sam LaPorta likely to return from a back injury Week 1 and Brock Wright also ready to go at backup.
The Lions love having strong catchers on the field for Jared Goff, and that makes the Royer pick a little easier to swallow.
With the last pick in this final mock draft, the Lions take a second pass rusher in Sapp. The former Gator does not stand out in a deep edge class, but Detroit could be trying to add competition to their thin pass rusher room with this pick. He was also, simply, the best player left in the 7th round who could also provide the Lions an additional option in an area of need.
It's unlikely Sapp would beat out Moore, or D.J. Wonnum, for the backup edge spot.
Add us as a preferred source on Google