2026 NFL Draft Thread

[Mr.TaterSalad]

The Lions are very likely to miss the playoffs. And with that, the return of a Lions fan tradition. A tradition where the draft becomes the Super Bowl for  fans once again. After the loss to the Rams and a less than 40% chance at making the playoffs, I thought now was as good a time as any to start the 2028 NFL Draft Thread.

What do you think our needs are for this coming offseason? What positions and players are on your draft radar?

[Motown Bombers]

If the Lions win their last three games, all winnable games, they have a 94% chance of making the playoffs. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

When is the last time the Lions have won back to back games, let alone three in a row?

[MichiganCardinal]

Another year, another offseason thread created too early.

Other than the Vikings, who they never should have lost to, their losses have come to the Packers x2, Eagles (road), Rams (road), and Chiefs (road). I'll be damned if you can find a more difficult schedule in the NFL. And yes, you'd like to see at least a win or two against that top tier of the league, particularly in an off year by the Chiefs, but here we are.

They've got the Steelers, Vikings, and Bears to go. Three teams I would not put in that top tier. And if they win out, they're very likely in the tournament. And if you're in the tournament with a team that can score 50 at the drop of a hat, anything can happen.

[1984Echoes]

3 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

When is the last time the Lions have won back to back games, let alone three in a row?

Dude... they were 15-2 last year.

[1984Echoes]

3 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

When is the last time the Lions have won back to back games, let alone three in a row?

PS: If you're talking this year only...

Between losses at Green Bay and KC...

They won 4 in a row.

Is that too far into the Lions' history that winning the last 3 is now an impossibility?

That seems to be the point you're making...

But I'm just guessing...

[sagnam]

What about this team makes one think they will win all of their remaining games? It’s possible, sure, is equally likely they will lose at least one.

In their wins their opponents are a combined 43-78-1, with only 1 team having a winning record, or 2 not having losing records if you prefer. In their losses the opponents are a combined 41-28-1 (only counting the Packers once), with 2 of those teams having losing records.

 

They still have the only team with a winning record that they’ve beat but also have 1 of the 2 teams with a losing record that already beat them left on the schedule, both on the road. The third opponent has a winning record.

 

I think the odds are against them winning all of the final 3 games given the season thus far. Who knows though, stranger things have happened. Knowing that playoff teams will almost all have winning records, their outlook for a championship even in a tournament where anything can happen seems slim at best.

 

I won’t be getting my hope up is all.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

14 hours ago, 1984Echoes said:

Dude... they were 15-2 last year.

This year's team and last year's team are different animals all together. They haven't won back-to-back games since September of this year and to do it they beat two bad teams in the Bengals and Browns. They also beat a struggling Bears team early in the year. That Bears team and this Bears team are world's apart.

[RatkoVarda]

#1 issue for me is to secure IOL. everything else flows from that. Goff can deal with pressure from the edge better, and Dan loves to run up the middle.

At OG, Ratledge and Mahogany, with Fraizer in the mix is good, with a chance for maybe more than good

At C, assuming no Ragnow, prefer they don't move Ratledge over, so need FA, or Day 1 rookie starter from the draft

[Nate7474]

37 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

#1 issue for me is to secure IOL. everything else flows from that. Goff can deal with pressure from the edge better, and Dan loves to run up the middle.

At OG, Ratledge and Mahogany, with Fraizer in the mix is good, with a chance for maybe more than good

At C, assuming no Ragnow, prefer they don't move Ratledge over, so need FA, or Day 1 rookie starter from the draft

I don’t know what their plan is at center but if I can take early season quotes into perspective they don’t like rookie centers. That to me screams either Ratledge moving over or a FA OC. I like a middle of Mahogany Ratledge Frazier, it doesn’t sound awful to me but we need some vet depth to help out and it might not be next season but more for 2028 season. I think if we draft an OL in the 1st it’ll be a tackle to learn for a year behind decker. 
 

As things stand today I could see us going OT, LB, Edge in the first round. Next importance after that to me OC, Saftey, Nickle/CB. A good TE prospect could entice me as well later in the draft. 

[Hongbit]

I don’t think they can go into the offseason counting on Decker.   It’s a toss up whether he plays or retires.  Need to prepare for life without him so as to be not caught off guard 

[Stanley70]

1 hour ago, RatkoVarda said:

#1 issue for me is to secure IOL. everything else flows from that. Goff can deal with pressure from the edge better, and Dan loves to run up the middle.

At OG, Ratledge and Mahogany, with Fraizer in the mix is good, with a chance for maybe more than good

At C, assuming no Ragnow, prefer they don't move Ratledge over, so need FA, or Day 1 rookie starter from the draft

If they move Ratledge to C and start Fraizer that is just too much inexperience again. A first year center and a first year starter at one guard. Not sure how to avoid that happening without a FA signing which seems unlikely.

It would really be nice if Ragnow played 1 more year. 

[Shinzaki]

Best case scenario...OT, Edge Safety and LB in the draft.  Hope Decker and Ragnow play next year.

[number20]

I don't see them finishing the season undefeated without Branch.

Or LaPorta for that matter - they're getting nothing from the TE position now. Including blocking

[MichiganCardinal]

3 hours ago, Hongbit said:

Need to prepare for life without him so as to be not caught off guard 

Don't you mean off tackle?

I'll be here all week.