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

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. 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, Penei Sewell could stick on the right side, too. Freeling would replace Taylor Decker at LT, with new signee Larry Borom also getting plenty of reps. It’d be a key move in getting this team back to the postseason. – Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
In the second round, Mel Kiper Jr. has the Lions addressing its pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Per Mel Kiper Jr., the Lions are projected to select Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore.
Detroit is still taking swings on edge rushers opposite Aidan Hutchinson. After going offensive line in the first round, this is good spot to take another cut. Moore had 10 sacks last season. And like Hutchinson, he comes from down the road in Ann Arbor. – Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Moore enjoyed a breakout final season in Ann Arbor with 10 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
If the Lions went this direction with their first two selections, it would address two of the team’s biggest needs.
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