Detroit Lions mock draft: Pre-NFL Combine, full 7-round edition

The Detroit Lions are in an enviable position right now. Coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game, with a young roster, plenty of cap space and four top-100 picks in April's draft to keep stocking the cupboard with young talent.

The pre-draft process will ramp up to a fever pitch this week, with draft prospects and the league as a whole descending on Indianapolis for the NFL Combine.

The results of free agency will help dictate where the Lions' draft needs sit in terms of priority, but overall we know Brad Holmes is not driven solely by need in the draft. And through three drafts as Lions' general manager, what he's doing is clearly working.

Using Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator, here's a new, full 7-round pre-Combine mock draft for the Lions.

Detroit Lions 7-round pre-combine mock draft

First Round, No. 29 overall: Ennis Rakestraw Jr.. CB, Missouri

Rakestraw is getting all kinds of buzz as an ideal fit for the Lions, including a comparison to a cornerback who was a three-time Pro Bowler during his time in Detroit.

Rakestraw's raw stats don't leap off the page. But last season he was limited by a core muscle injury that required surgery, and according to Pro Football Focus he was targeted just 28 times in the nine games he played. PFF has him as one of their highest-graded corners against the run, and over his last two seasons at Missouri he had 16 pass breakups and six tackles for loss among his 70 total tackles over that span.

ESPN's Matt Miller called Rakestraw his "draft crush and "an ideal Lions player" during a conference call last week.

Cornerback should be on the Lions' draft radar regardless of what's done in free agency (or via a trade). Taking Rakestraw here at No. 29 was easy.

Second Round, No. 61 overall: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

The Lions could use someone next to Alim McNeil at defensive tackle who has some juice. Fiske fits that bill, as a high motor player equally able to be disruptive as a pass rusher and rush defender.

Fiske started his college career at Western Michigan, where he progressively upped his production over four seasons. He transferred to Florida State for his final college season, and he was just as productive (six sacks, nine tackles for loss, 43 total tackles) in the step up to the ACC.

Fiske is big (6-foot-5, 300 pounds), but he gets high marks for his first step explosiveness and lateral agility. One knock, as might be expected given his height, is his high pad level that allows offensive lineman to have their way in the leverage battle. But that feels like something new defensive line coach Terrell Williams can work with him on.

Third Round, No. 73 overall: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan

Kneeland will be looking to carry his strong showing at the Senior Bowl to the NFL Combine. Over his last three seasons at Western Michigan, he had 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, while lining up at multiple positions. In 10 games last season, he had 57 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Kneeland has what scouts would consider an ideal length, size, power profile (6-foot-3, 268 pounds), with scheme/alignment versatility that will put him on the radar of a lot of teams. For the Lions, he'd be a nice addition on the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson, with the ability to move inside on clear passing downs.

Third Round, No. 92 overall: Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College

The Lions could lose one or both of their starting guards (Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow) in free agency, so the position could become a significant need in the draft. Regardless, cultivating some depth there via the draft could be on the radar.

Mahogany (6-foot-3, 330 pounds) was a three-year starter at Boston College, at left guard as a freshman in 2020 and at right guard in 2021 and 2023. He missed the entire 2022 season after suffering a torn ACL during a home workout, but came right back to allow zero sacks last season.

Mahogany gets (however obviously) high marks for his size and strength, while also displaying good technique overall with athleticism that might not be expected. A concern in any scouting report you'll see is as a pass protector, particularly from a balance perspective when he doesn't win right away.

Mahogany's flaws feel like they can be worked on as he moves to the next level, with NFL-level coaching. He could be an immediate starter, or eventually become a starter as the Lions look to keep their offensive line among the best in the league.

Fourth Round

The Lions sent their 2024 fourth-round pick to the Vikings in the T.J. Hockenson trade at the 2022 deadline. Holmes may try to wheel and deal to fill a 70-pick gap between selections, but with no trades in this mock we stood pat.

Fifth Round, No. 162 overall: Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan

If the Lions have a top need on the offensive side of the ball, heading into free agency anyway, it's a big, contested catch type of wide receiver.

As could be expected playing in a run-oriented Michigan offense, Johnson's college numbers aren't outstanding on the whole. But he did top 600 yards in two of his final three seasons, with six touchdowns in the other (2022). He averaged nearly 15 yards per catch during his career, and he was mixed in as a runner a bit too.

Johnson's ability to be a big immediate contributor in the NFL is a question. But he has the size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and overall tools to be interesting, and outside of the top-150 he is a fine flier for the Lions.

Sixth Round, No. 206 overall: Reddy Steward, CB, Troy

Steward, due solely to having played in the Sun Belt at Troy, is not a household name in the 2024 NFL Draft. But he is versatile, able to play outside and nickel, and there's no arguing with his production over the last two seasons.

2022: 63 total tackles, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups
2023: 50 total tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups

At the Hula Bowl Steward was listed at 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds, so he's definitely on the smaller side. But here in the sixth round, as the Lions consider plenty of options (including taking another cornerback), his versatility and ball skills stand out.

Seventh Round, No. 246 overall: Brennan Jackson, EDGE, Washington State

The Lions' edge rusher group is lined up for an overhaul, so taking a second one here made sense.

Jackson is a versatile defensive lineman, strong in the run and game and athletic enough to play out on the edge. He garners high marks for his effort, physicality and football IQ. His final season at Washington State was his best, with 8.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and three pass breakups.

Jackson needs to develop a broader pass rush repertoire, with not much more than a bull rush in his bag of moves. How he tests athletically at the combine could be interesting, and further point to the upside potential here.

Broadly, as Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus noted, Jackson seems like the kind of player the Lions will gravitate toward.