Predicting how the Lions will surprise in the 2026 NFL Draft

We’re officially just a week away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and it feels like we’re no closer to being able to predict what the Detroit Lions could do. Each year, Lions general manager Brad Holmes seems to do something unexpected. Whether it’s taking a running back and linebacker in the first round, drafting back-to-back cornerbacks in the 2024 draft, or trading three third-round picks for a wide receiver, Holmes hasn’t been afraid to go unconventional during draft weekend.

Further clouding the Lions’ intentions this year is their ability to work in the shadows. As of this publishing, there are only seven known pre-draft meetings at the Lions facility, and the last date for those meetings was on Wednesday.

So today, we’re just going to try to predict the unpredictable. Today’s Question of the Day is:

How will the Lions surprise during the 2026 NFL Draft?

My answer: Consider this my “bold” prediction: the Lions will take a cornerback on Day 1 or Day 2.

For the 2026 season, cornerback is not high on the team’s needs list. They have DJ Reed, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Roger McCreary, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey, and Nick Whiteside. That’s not a bad crew to go into the season with.

However, of those seven defensive backs, only three (Reed, Arnold, Rakestraw) are signed beyond this season, and all three of those players are not guaranteed to be part of the team’s long-term plan. Arnold and Rakestraw need to take serious Year 3 jumps for the Lions’ investment in them to pay off. Reed has a $13.645 million 2027 option bonus, and if he doesn’t play well this upcoming season, the Lions could very well decide to cut him before the option kicks in.

And when you look at this year’s draft class, there could be some early options for Detroit both at the 17th overall pick (Jermod McCoy, Avieon Terrell) and a pick 50 (D’Angelo Ponds, Keionte Scott, Chris Johnson).

This defense needs more talent infused it in across the board, and I’m not really counting out any position on that side of the ball.

Let’s hear your predictions for how the Lions could surprise on draft weekend.