The Detroit Lions are not in any position to begin looking at the draft board just yet. They're battling for a postseason spot to this point, with several key NFC games yet to be played down the stretch of the 2025 season. Still, it's fun to fire up the mock draft machine every now and again to see who Detroit could be keeping an eye out for ahead of 2026.
Using the NFL Mock Draft Simulator site, we can get a good idea for what draft sites think makes sense for the Lions. It aggregates those sites and their Lions picks for their database, and allows anyone to play around with their randomized draft tool.
After running a 3-round mock draft for the Lions using the site, we received a pretty startling hypothetical: Detroit deciding to begin to prepare for a team after Taylor Decker by taking a top tackle in the first round: Miami's Francis Mauigoa.
Lions prepare for a team post-Decker in latest mock draft
Mauigoa is ranked 2nd overall amongst tackles per NFL Draft Buzz, grading out at an 89.3 out of 100 with the site. The junior has been described as a pure athlete by several draft sites, with him being the obvious top choice for any team in dire need of reinforcements on their offensive line.
While the Lions will likely have competition for him for that reason, they are likely relying on other teams' needs at quarterback and wide receiver to win out over their need to spend a first-rounder on their trenches.
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Tackle might not be the first position that jumps out at you for Lions needs, though. They desperately need to build up their IOL, specifically at guard. Christian Mahogany's injury might keep him out for most of, if not the entire, 2025 season. Tate Ratledge has proved to be a promising rookie at guard, but the team could be interested in training him up to be their long-term answer at center.
However, Decker's injury woes this season also can't be ignored. A shoulder issue kept him out for a few games this season, and he's been a step slow instead of in perfect synch with Penei Sewell, who anchors the other side of the line. Adding some insurance to the line in the form of Mauigoa could be extremely beneficial for Detroit as they look to fortify their trenches again.
Guards that the Lions could, and should, consider in the first round include Olaivavega
Ioane, Jaeden Roberts, and Brian Parker II. At center, names to keep in mind are Jake Slaughter, Connor Lew, and Parker Brailsford.