The 2027 NFL mock drafts suggest the Detroit Lions may target offensive lineman Cayden Green, edge rusher Will Heldt, and defensive tackle Mario Landino. These projections highlight the Lions' focus on strengthening their roster for the upcoming draft.
Key points
2027 NFL mock drafts suggest potential picks for Detroit Lions
Cayden Green, Will Heldt, and Mario Landino are top prospects
Mock drafts help gauge team needs and player potential
Previous drafts show unpredictability in Lions' selections
Cayden GreenWill HeldtMario LandinoDetroit Lions
CLEMSON, SC - AUGUST 30: Ashton Hampton #23 of the Clemson Tigers calls for the crowd to make noise during a college football game against the LSU Tigers on August 30, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
CLEMSON, SC - AUGUST 30: Ashton Hampton #23 of the Clemson Tigers calls for the crowd to make noise during a college football game against the LSU Tigers on August 30, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, itâs time for the annual tradition of immediately looking ahead to the next draft cycle to see what your favorite team might do (they almost certainly wonât) in the next offseason. While this exercise is meant to be fun and entertaining, I always recommend using it simply as a tool to help get you familiar with some of the more intriguing potential draft prospects in the next cycle.
Weâve been exploring this exercise for some time naw at Pride of Detroit, and while we can anticipate what the Detroit Lionsâ needs may be in 2027, not a single âway-too-earlyâ mock draft has accurately predicted who the Lions will take in the following yearâs draft.
In 2020, draft analysts looked ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft, and most expected the Lions to take a wide receiver; they instead took Penei Sewell. The way-too-early 2022 mock drafts had the Lions giving up on and grabbing a quarterback of the future; in reality, they took and . The stayed on the quarterback train, but the Lions secured and Jack Campbell. By gave up on quarterbacks and shifted to defensive trenches, and while they picked the right side of the ball, the Lions drafted corner (one mock did have the Lions taking an Alabama CB, but they projected it to be ). The expected the Lions to pick an edge, but they went with defensive tackle . As for the , we saw predictions of edge, guard, wide receiver, corner, and offensive tackle. And while the final mock we looked at got tackle correctâthe Lions took OT âthey projected it to be Oregonâs Isaiah World⊠who just went undrafted.
This look ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft is sponsored by the folks over at ****, who have the Lions listed as +1800 to win this yearâs Super Bowl, +850 to win the NFC Championship, and +150 to win the NFC North as the current favorites.
Q&A
What are the top projected picks for the Detroit Lions in the 2027 NFL Draft?
The top projected picks include Cayden Green (OL, Missouri), Will Heldt (EDGE, Clemson), and Mario Landino (DT, Indiana).
Why are mock drafts important for NFL teams like the Detroit Lions?
Mock drafts help teams and fans anticipate potential player selections and assess team needs ahead of the actual draft.
How have previous mock drafts predicted the Detroit Lions' draft choices?
Previous mock drafts have often mispredicted the Lions' selections, highlighting the unpredictability of draft decisions.
What positions are the Detroit Lions focusing on for the 2027 NFL Draft?
The Lions are focusing on strengthening their offensive line, edge defense, and defensive tackle positions for the 2027 NFL Draft.
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âThe Lions are well-known for their explosive weapons on offense, but the engine doesnât run if they donât hold things down in the trenches. Green has a ton of upside with his physical traits, and the versatility to slide inside to guard, where Detroit would have a more immediate need.â â Easterling
âThe Lions traded up in the second round to take Derrick Moore as Aidan Hutchinsonâs running mate, but it might be hard to resist first-round options next year. One promising possibility could be Heldt, who was talented enough to change the mind of noted transfer holdout Dabo Swinney. If the 6-6, 260-pound edge rusher continues to develop after posting 7 1/2 sacks last season, he could enjoy the draft surge that many of his former teammates missed out on in this cycle.â â Middlehurst-Schwartz
âThe Lions have some free-agency issues around the corner in their linebacker corps, and getting the active Villamu-Asa would boost their big plays through coverage and blitzing.â â Iyer
âThe 2026 season will be a pivotal season for some of the Detroit Lionsâ young cornerbacks as the team pushes for a Super Bowl. Mississippi State star Kelley Jones has a massive frame with elite speed, which could make him an instant star at cornerback in the NFL.â â Rome
âA former five-star and steady contributor in Kirby Smartâs defense, Bolden brings the run-pass versatility and instincts demanded of a first-round safety. While this may be a bit rich, his football intelligence and ability to play multiple spots in the secondary should strengthen his case.â â Petagna
Recap
Like last yearâs way-too-early mock draft, predictions are all over the map for the Lions. Detroit has done a nice job of solidifying their offense, so itâs not a surprise that only one mock draft had them taking a player on that side of the ball. That projection for a guard also makes some sense, as that is arguably the Lionsâ biggest question mark right on offense right now.
As for the defensive projections, the Lions received predictions at every major position, pointing to the fact that their defense is still a bit unpredictable. Not only do the Lions approach defense in a unique way, but they also have long-term injury concerns and contracts that will expire or are at risk of being terminated. That being said, those concerns are likely why the Lions used five of their seven 2026 draft picks to address that side of the ball.