2026 Live Draft Thread As It Happens

[MichiganCardinal]

Lots of first round talent still available at Best Need Available (BNA):

- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, DB, Toledo
- Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
- CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

would all be home run picks. If they aren't satisfied with Mahogany, they could even go back-to-back OL with one of:

- Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
- Chase Bisontis, OT/OG, Texas A&M
- Gennings Dunker, OT/OG, Iowa
- Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
- Connor Lew, C, Auburn

And then there are plenty of solid 2nd round picks there too, enough to justify moving back if those top five are already gone.

- Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
- Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina
- Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
- TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
- Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
- Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
- Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
- Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt

I'd be surprised if Holmes only picks once tonight. Whether that's moving down from #50 and picking up a mid-3rd or sending both #118 and #128 to move back into the 90s, I think he finds a way to pick up a later pick tonight. Some guys that make sense but probably not with our second pick and probably later than #50 might include:

- Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
- Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
- Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
- Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
- Kamari Ramsey, DB, USC
- LT Overton, DT/DE, Alabama
- Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
- Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
- Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
- Billy Schrauth, OG, Notre Dame
- Anez Cooper, OG, Miami
- Drew Shelton, OL, Penn State
- Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
- Deonte Lawson, LB, Alabama
- Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
- Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
- Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
- Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

[lordstanley]

3 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

4th ranked defense?

[Jason_R]

I feel like safety is a greater need than edge. This defense has always been at its best with a killer like Kerby patrolling center field to pick off rushed throws. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

36 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

Lots of first round talent still available at Best Need Available (BNA):

- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, DB, Toledo
- Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
- CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

would all be home run picks. If they aren't satisfied with Mahogany, they could even go back-to-back OL with one of:

- Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
- Chase Bisontis, OT/OG, Texas A&M
- Gennings Dunker, OT/OG, Iowa
- Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
- Connor Lew, C, Auburn

And then there are plenty of solid 2nd round picks there too, enough to justify moving back if those top five are already gone.

- Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
- Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina
- Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
- TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
- Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
- Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
- Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
- Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt

I'd be surprised if Holmes only picks once tonight. Whether that's moving down from #50 and picking up a mid-3rd or sending both #118 and #128 to move back into the 90s, I think he finds a way to pick up a later pick tonight. Some guys that make sense but probably not with our second pick and probably later than #50 might include:

- Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
- Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
- Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
- Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
- Kamari Ramsey, DB, USC
- LT Overton, DT/DE, Alabama
- Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
- Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
- Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
- Billy Schrauth, OG, Notre Dame
- Anez Cooper, OG, Miami
- Drew Shelton, OL, Penn State
- Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
- Deonte Lawson, LB, Alabama
- Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
- Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
- Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
- Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

I think a guy like Jacob Rodriguez the LB from Texas Tech is a textbook Dan Campbell player. He's a high motor, good character guy, who seems to love the game of football and have a strong work ethic. As well, he could slide in and be our WLB to replace Anzalone. Gabe Jacas also fits those traits but plays at another position of need as a DE/Edge. Jacas also gives them what they covet in an edge-setting lineman, who can stay in on all three downs and play against the run.

I'd personally be fine enough with either Jacas or Rodriguez. I'd prefer Jacas as he offers more ability to get at the QB and disrupt passing plays. He had 11 sacks, 41 total pressures, and 22 hurries. I'm really intrigued by his pass rush abilities. I doubt he makes it to the Lions pick at #50, but would run the draft card right up to Goodell and make the pick.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

 

[GalagaGuy]

If you listen to 97.1, you know that Kang has been on fire the past couple years with guessing who the Lions are going to pick.  He called the Miller pick last night and last year he called the Ratledge and TeSlaa picks.  He has the Lions taking DT Christen Miller from Georgia tonight.   

[sagnam]

3 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

 

Celebrating like he won a free bottle koozy at a small town car show.

[DTroppens]

I don't spend time learning about players for the draft, but the Lions selecting an OT with the first round has my approval.

[MichiganCardinal]

16 minutes ago, Jason_R said:

I feel like safety is a greater need than edge. This defense has always been at its best with a killer like Kerby patrolling center field to pick off rushed throws. 

I think you can be creative with the direction (adding a nickel, safety, or corner), but I'd be surprised if they go into week one with the defensive backfield they currently have. Feels like you're depending a lot on Kerby, who's a question mark, Branch, who probably won't be back until at least October, and even Rakestraw, who's struggled to see an NFL field.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

14 minutes ago, GalagaGuy said:

If you listen to 97.1, you know that Kang has been on fire the past couple years with guessing who the Lions are going to pick.  He called the Miller pick last night and last year he called the Ratledge and TeSlaa picks.  He has the Lions taking DT Christen Miller from Georgia tonight.   

Kang also called the Tyleik Williams pick from last year as well.

Edited 34 minutes ago by Mr.TaterSalad

[Stanley70]

4 minutes ago, GalagaGuy said:

If you listen to 97.1, you know that Kang has been on fire the past couple years with guessing who the Lions are going to pick.  He called the Miller pick last night and last year he called the Ratledge and TeSlaa picks.  He has the Lions taking DT Christen Miller from Georgia tonight.   

That sounds like Brad. I would rather they add some speed to the LB and edge group. I like Jacob Rodriguez as well. Miller's scouting report is that he is a 325 pound one tech, just like Tyleik. 

[MichiganCardinal]

4 minutes ago, GalagaGuy said:

If you listen to 97.1, you know that Kang has been on fire the past couple years with guessing who the Lions are going to pick.  He called the Miller pick last night and last year he called the Ratledge and TeSlaa picks.  He has the Lions taking DT Christen Miller from Georgia tonight.   

I thought about including him on that list I made, but even though he's athletic, he's closer to a 1-tech than a 3-tech, and it's hard to see him getting significant playing time behind Tyleik and Alim. Intuitively, it feels like even the Lions can have too much of a good thing if you've got Levi and Miller riding the pine while a no name gets their ass handed to them by a tight end across from a double team on Hutch.