Mock drafts and big boards are beginning to hit their peak, with the 2026 NFL Draft just one week away. While the Detroit Lions have some obvious needs on their roster, they may end up just being able to take the best player available to them at 17th overall if the latest big board ranking holds any weight.
FanSided's Mike Luciano put together a massive big board ahead of next week's event, and within the top-50 ranking listed, there are plenty of potential Lions targets listed before the 17th player on the list. OT Spencer Fano, OT Francis Mauigoa, G Vega Ioane, and EDGE Keldric Faulk all make the ranking before the 17th slot, which is where another Lions target, OT Monroe Freeling, sits.
This could be of concern for the Lions, who seem primed to select one of the very few starting-caliber tackles or pass rushers in this year's class.
If those targets are off the board before they pick, though, Detroit wouldn't necessarily be that worse for wear, as two other huge potential targets could fall right into their lap as a result of those prior selections: CB Jermod McCoy, EDGE Akheem Mesidor, or OT Kadyn Proctor
Lions could see 3 targets fall into their lap based on latest big board ranking
Luciano has McCoy listed at 23rd overall on his big board, writing that despite the obvious injury concerns with the defender, he's still an extremely talented ball-hawk who could be worth betting on to see a "boom" career, as opposed to a "bust" one.
"With peerless ball skills, tremendous technique, and a willingness to tackle in the open field, McCoy would be a lock for the Top 10 if he didn't have the injury concerns surrounding him," says Luciano of the former Tennessee Volunteers cornerback.
Mesidor lands just after McCoy at 26th on the ranking, with Luciano stating that while his age of 25 years old as a rookie should be a concern teams take into consideration, Mesidor's run-defense and athleticism as an edge rusher are still worth a first round consideration.
If fans wanted to know more about Mesidor's character, and how he could fit in swimmingly (no pun intended) with this Lions squad, please take a few moments to read ACC reporter Andrea Adelson's latest profile on the pass rusher.
Proctor lands all the way at 42nd on this 50 player big board, with Luciano much lower on the tackle than most.
"Proctor's tape is not what you want to see from a 5-star recruit with first-round hype due to his whiffs against speedier edge rushers. Proctor is a lottery ticket that only should be purchased by teams with good offensive line coaches. If he hits, Proctor's mammoth size and ability to wash defenders out of plays make him someone who could challenge for All-Pro teams at his peak."
READ MORE: Ian Rapoport thinks the Lions may have something "big" in mind for the draft
As Lions fans know, Proctor has been the name to monitor for them in recent weeks. Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports reported back on April 1 that the Lions were circling the wagons on Proctor at 17th overall, which could either be a smokescreen or a genuine feeling held by the Lions' front office.
They have a huge need at tackle, but it feels unlikely that Detroit would be willing to snag a tackle this early in the draft if they can't start them right away. Proctor might need time to develop, especially since he's a left tackle. You don't want, as Luciano describes, a "lottery ticket," protecting your quarterback's blind side.
Still, if all other options are off the table for Detroit, it seems like a sure-thing that Proctor - as well as Mesidor or McCoy - could be available to them early on in this year's draft.
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