Detroit Lions 7-Round Mock Draft 2026 (Part 1): Building the Roster Early

Round 4: Bud Clark, S, TCU

Bud Clark developed into a key contributor at TCU, earning a starting role midseason and finishing with five interceptions, tied for 11th nationally. He delivered a standout performance in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal against Michigan, returning an interception thrown by J.J. McCarthy 41 yards for a touchdown and recovering a fumble in the end zone.

Clark’s 2025 PFF grades included a 79.5 overall mark, a 75.7 coverage grade and an 84.2 run-defense grade across 664 snaps. At the combine, he ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash (seventh fastest), with a 1.56-second 10-yard split (sixth fastest), a 38-inch vertical (fifth best) and a 10-foot-7 broad jump (fifth best). His Next Gen Stats scores ranked him fifth overall, highlighted by a 79 production score.

Round 4: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon

Bryce Boettcher brings versatility and experience after beginning his career as a defensive back before transitioning to linebacker at Oregon. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound defender appeared in 55 games, recording 269 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups, all of which came in his final two seasons.

Boettcher posted a 73.3 overall PFF grade, including a 69.6 run-defense grade, a 66.2 pass-rush grade and a 73.4 coverage grade. Last season, he recorded 74 solo tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and 11 quarterback pressures across 657 snaps. His background in the secondary shows up in coverage, making him a potential fit in sub-packages.

Recap

Through four selections, the focus leans heavily toward defense, with three of the first four picks addressing that side of the ball. The offensive line is reinforced early with Proctor, while the addition of Lawrence provides value and upside as a pass rusher in the second round. Clark and Boettcher add depth and playmaking ability to the defense.

Lawrence stands out as the most impactful value pick, given his combination of production and elite athletic traits. Proctor, meanwhile, offers long-term upside and the potential to contribute immediately.

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