ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. shares final Detroit Lions NFL mock draft picks

With the 2026 NFL draft now just one week away, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has put the finishing touches on his last mock draft.

Kiper has released a pair of NFL mock drafts so far, initially projecting Penn State offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane to the Lions in late January. Then, in the first week of April, Kiper forecasted Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling to the Lions at pick No. 17.

Is Kiper still thinking Freeling for the Lions' first-round selection? Plus, Kiper shared his second-round pick for the Lions in his final mock draft as well.

Here's what Kiper projects in his final NFL mock draft for Detroit:

Mel Kiper Jr.'s final Detroit Lions NFL mock draft projections

• First Round (No. 17): Georgia OT, Monroe Freeling
• Second Round (No. 50): Michigan OLB, Derrick Moore

Mel Kiper Jr. is still sticking with Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling as the Lions' first-round selection at No. 17. Here's what Mel Kiper Jr. said about the pick for Detroit:

Freeling has a huge 6-7, 315-pound frame and long 34¾-inch arms, and he can erase pass rushers with his quickness and handwork. His 18 starts of experience might worry some teams, but I'd bet Detroit would be happy to land Freeling in this range. He has a ton of potential, and the Lions were 31st in pass block win rate last season (55.5%). Because Freeling played left tackle at Georgia,  could stick on the right side, too. Freeling would replace  at LT, with new signee  also getting plenty of reps. It'd be a key move in getting this team back to the postseason. -