Raiders draft QB Fernando Mendoza with 1st overall pick in hopes of turning around their fortunes
Las Vegas Raiders select QB Fernando Mendoza with the 1st overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25, with the Detroit Lions holding the No. 17 overall pick. The Lions aim to enhance their roster after finishing 9-8 last season and missing the playoffs.
Which players will become the newest members of the Detroit Lions?
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25, with all 32 teams making selections to help build their rosters for 2026 and beyond. The Lions, who finished 9-8 last season while missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022, are no exception.
The Lions have the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of the draft, which will take place on Thursday. Detroit currently has one pick on Day 2, the No. 50 overall pick in the second round, while possessing seven picks in Rounds 4-7 on Day 3.
The Lions have positional needs at offensive tackle, linebacker, defensive end and in the secondary, though Lions general manager Brad Holmes has not revealed exactly what his draft plan will b, beyond the usual "best player available".
We'll have all the updates for Detroit's draft picks as they come in over the next three days.
MORE: Brad Holmes' 5 worst picks as Detroit Lions GM
This section will be updated as picks come in.
The Detroit Lions have the No. 17 overall pick in the first round and the No. 50 pick in the second round, along with seven picks in Rounds 4-7.
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25.
The Detroit Lions finished the 2025 season with a record of 9-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
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The Lions traded both of their 2026 third-rounders, including a compensatory pick for defensive coordinatorĀ Aaron GlennĀ getting hired as the coach of the New York Jets, toĀ trade up for receiver Isaac TeSlaaĀ in the 2025 draft. Detroit also got an extra 2026 sixth-round pick in the deal.
The Lions received their extra fourth-round pick from the trade that sent running backĀ David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. Detroit got a compensatory pick in the fifth round after offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler left in free agency ahead of the 2025 season.
Detroit got another sixth-round pick in the trade that sent wide receiverĀ Tim Patrick to the Jaguars. Lastly, the Lions got their seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in aĀ 2024 deadline dealĀ that sent pass rusher Za'Darius Smith to Cleveland.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions live updates 2026 NFL Draft