The Detroit Lions didn’t have the 2025 season they wanted to. A year after claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Lions finished 9-8 on the season and last in the NFC North, losing a tiebreaker to the Vikings.
But the Lions can bounce right back to the top of the NFC with some smart moves in the offseason. They already signed some budget free agents like C Cade Mays, S Christian Izien, and CB Roger McCreary. But they have more work to do, and that’s where the draft comes in.
In this exercise, I’ll using PFF’s simulator to run a three-round mock draft for the Lions. As a scout and draft analyst, it’s a good way for me to highlight some prospects Detroit might be eyeing that will be both good fits and likely available where they’re picking. Technically, this will only be a two-round mock draft, as the Lions don’t have a third-round pick — but they do have a first and a second, Nos. 17 and 50 overall.
Round 1, Pick 17: The Detroit Lions Select Miami ED Akheem Mesidor
GettyMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Akheem Mesidor #3 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after a third quarter sack against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Getting Aidan Hutchinson some help on the defensive line is priority number one for the Lions in the draft. Al-Quadin Muhammad was the only non-Hutchinson Lions player to record more than five sacks in 2025, and he just signed with the Buccaneers.
Mesidor is an older prospect at 25 years old, so he’s not a fit for teams looking for younger players to grow with a core. But he’s a great fit in Detroit, a team looking for immediate pass rush help. One of the most advanced, experienced, and productive pass rushers in this class, Mesidor can do that.
In 2025, Mesidor had 63 tackles, 13 tackles, and four forced fumbles. The Lions could use his length and quick get-off, and his hand usage is excellent as well. The only reason Mesidor isn’t a top-10 prospect is his age, and Detroit is well-positioned to take advantage.
The other players I considered in this spot were LSU CB Mansoor Delane and Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane. It’s extremely unlikely that Delane would fall all the way to No. 17 in the real draft, but if he did, the Lions would strongly consider taking him. Ioane is an exceptional guard prospect and a player the league absolutely loves, but Detroit is high on their two young guards and may prefer to prioritize defense in the first round.
Round 2, Pick 50: The Detroit Lions Select San Diego State CB Chris Johnson
Cornerback is also a need for the Lions, and in this scenario, Johnson is sitting right there. PFF’s highest-graded cornerback in 2025, he’s coming off a season in which he had 48 tackles, four interceptions (including two pick-sixes), eight passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a sack.
Though Johnson is a better zone corner and he played a lot of off-coverage for the Aztecs, he proved at the Combine that he’s a plus athlete for the position. That generally translates well to man coverage, and the Lions could use him in multiple roles and schemes.
Alternatives for the Lions in this spot include Miami CB Keionte Scott, Cincinnati LB Jake Golday, and Central Florida ED Malachi Lawrence. Scott is a great option if Detroit wants a slot/nickel defender, while Golday and Lawrence are supreme athletes with great positional size and versatility.
Lions Nab All-American Pass Rusher in Latest 3-Round Mock Draft