Detroit Lions mock draft 2026 roundup: Which O-lineman should they pick at 17?

Q: What are the Detroit Lions' biggest needs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Lions have identified needs at center, tackle, and in the secondary as they approach the draft.

Q: When is the 2026 NFL Draft taking place?

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

Q: Who did the Detroit Lions trade during the offseason?

The Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans during the offseason.

Q: What position did the Lions fill by signing Cade Mays?

The Lions signed Cade Mays to fill the center position as part of their offseason moves.

It's mock draft season, as Detroit Lions fans are anxiously waiting to see how the team fill some of its biggest needs.

The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, with the Lions looking to round out a busy offseason. The Lions are selecting in the first round at No. 17 overall after a disappointing 9-8 season, one where they finished in last place in the NFC North and missed the playoffs.

Detroit came into the offseason with needs at center, tackle and in the secondary, and addressed some of those issues with its two biggest transactions of the offseason – trading running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans and signing free agent center Cade Mays.

But many still see the Lions' offseason moves as part of an underwhelming return, with many starting slots still needing filled.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Running back Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball as defensive end Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions defends during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Running back Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes tackles Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the second half of the Lions' 21-20 win on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 7, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium, Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Ariz.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

Running back Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes tackles Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the second half of the Lions' 21-20 win on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 7, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Isiah Pacheco joins Detroit Lions backfield as violent runner

If the most recent mock drafts from NFL outlets are to be believed, the Lions are going to focus on drafting an offensive tackle with their first-round pick following the release of longtime left tackle Taylor Decker. The veteran's departure leaves a hole at tackle that the Lions may not be able to immediately replace with options currently on the roster, making it likely they'll look for a starting-caliber replacement through the draft.

For his part, Lions general manager Brad Holmes says the Lions don't need to focus on an offensive tackle in the draft, saying that newly-signed lineman Larry Borom might be able to replace Penei Sewell at right tackle if Sewell moves to left tackle.

But NFL draft experts still think the Lions will focus on drafting an offensive lineman in the first round, though there is no consensus on who that will be.

Here is what the NFL mock drafts say so far:

BIRKETT: Brad Holmes on contract futures of Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell

USA TODAY: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Nov 9, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Last year, the Lions selected an offensive guard from Georgia (Tate Ratledge) with their second-round pick, and this year, For The Win's Christian D'Andrea believes the Lions will go back to Athens for their first-round selection, taking offensive tackle Monroe Freeling.

"The Bulldog star was an absolute stud at the combine, posting some of the best all-around numbers in offensive line history," he writes. "He's got long arms, quick countering and smooth lateral movement. While he's still got tools to add to his box, he lands with a franchise capable of taking him down every aisle of Home Depot."

Quite a description!

CBS: Freeling

Monroe Freeling #57 of the Georgia Bulldogs blocks Chris Murray #3 of the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama.

Though he doesn't bring the same hardware metaphors as D'Andrea, CBS' Mike Renner shares the writer's belief that the Lions will make Freeling their first-round selection.

"The Lions' need at tackle is desperate enough to take whoever falls at 17. Fortunately, it's one of the strongest positions in the class," he writes. "Freeling improved significantly over last season and backed it up with a rare combine performance."

Detroit Free Press: Freeling

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (OL24) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Our Dave Birkett's most recent mock draft is from nearly a month ago, but he appeared to be on the same wavelength that many mock draft experts are still feeling about Freeling.

"The Lions should have their pick of the second tier of offensive tackles at No. 17, and after giving them Clemson’s Blake Miller in my first mock, I sent Freeling their way this time around," he writes. "Miller is the more experienced and durable option, but I’m banking on Freeling’s upside with this pick. He has just 17 career starts, including 13 at left tackle last year, and can begin the year as the Lions’ swing lineman before moving into a full-time role later in the season or in 2027. His ability to play both tackle positions also gives the Lions the option of keeping Penei Sewell at right tackle, if that’s his preference."

ESPN: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

ESPN's Peter Schrager has the Lions staying in Big Ten country with their first-round pick, taking Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane at No. 17 overall.

"I'm not sure there's a more 'Dan Campbell' player in this draft than Ioane," he writes. "He's 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, and he plays with a mean streak. Ioane didn't give up a single sack and was an All-American last season at Penn State. Nice fit on the interior for the Detroit line."

Fox Sports: OT Blake Miller, Clemson

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller (OL35) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Fox Sports' Rob Rang took a slightly different approach with his most recent mock draft, not selecting who he thinks the team will pick, but selecting a "perfect pick" for each team at their respective slot. And for a Lions team in need of a starting offensive tackle, he settled on Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller, who Birkett also mentioned in his most recent mock draft.

"At the NFL Annual League Meeting, Dan Campbell suggested that the Lions were 'ready' to move their All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell back to the blindside role he played in college, if necessary. Doing that would put Larry Borom in position to start on the right side, but I think there are several candidates in this class who would be better," he writes. "Miller hasn’t generated as much buzz as some of the other offensive tackles of this class, but he’s a relatively sure thing with 54 career starts and an ideal combination of size, athleticism and technique."

Pro Football Focus: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Spencer Fano #55 of the Utah Utes llines up on the defensive line during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker thinks the Lions will draft an offensive tackle, but he thinks Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, a highly-rated draft prospect, will fall low enough in the draft for the Lions to take.

"Detroit has a sneakily big need along its offensive line after cutting veteran Taylor Decker, plus experiencing an underwhelming season from Christian Mahogany. Whether playing on the perimeter or inside, Fano and his great run-blocking (13.6% impact run-block rate) are perfect for Dan Campbell’s bunch," he writes.

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions NFL mock draft roundup, offensive linemen available