The Lions are going to need to focus on offensive line and defense as their normal dominant offensive showed holes after the retirement of Frank Ragnow. The defense suffered following the departure of Aaron Glenn and the Lions are looking to improve it in Kelvin Sheppard's second year.

Round 1, Pick 17: OT Francis Mauigoa

This pick would be the successor to Taylor Decker. Mauigoa has been a three-year starter for the Hurricanes and is highly decorated. He has earned All-ACC honors in 2025 and 2024 as well as being named an All-American in 2025. He also was named the Jacobs Blocking Trophy Winner, which is given to the conference’s best blocker.

He is tall at six-foot-six and 335 pounds, and moves well for that, showing off his explosiveness and being able to get to the second level. He plays well with his hands and is able to make up for the lack of length with how he uses them. There are times where he relies too much on natural power and he can get tall leading to rushers beating him.

Round 2, Pick 50: EDGE Cashius Howell

I don’t think Howell will be on the board here come draft time, but seeing him sitting there was too much for me to pass up. Lions fans are always wanting another edge rusher across from Aidan Hutchinson and this could be the answer for them.

Howell has the ability to play up and down the line and has shown the ability to get to the passer. He logged 11.5 sacks with 14 TFLs and 29 tackles in 2025 for the Aggies. With the Lions investing in their defensive line with Hutchinson, McNeill, and Tyliek Williams, that should open up chances for him.

Round 4, Pick 118: S Bud Clark

The Lions have a great safety duo with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. However, they both have major injuries that they are dealing with. Branch tore his achilles against the Cowboys and Joseph has a knee injury that has kept him out for most of the year and could affect his career.

Bud Clark is a ball hawking safety that racked up 15 interceptions in his six years at TCU. He also has good man coverage skills and can stay with tight ends and wide receivers alike. He had a great Senior Bowl that has put him on the map for most teams.

He does have his struggles as he can get caught looking to make a play and forget his assignment. The Lions could use him until Joseph and Branch are back and he could be good depth and an insurance policy if either gets hurt.

Round 5, Pick 155: C Jake Slaughter

The interior offensive line was an issue for the Lions last year as Graham Glasnow took over at center for the retired Frank Ragnow. Glasnow struggled last year with a PFF grade of 56.8 which ranked 33rd out of 40 centers.

Slaughter is a seasoned center with 33 games under his belt against SEC competition. He was one of the better offensive linemen in the nation last year with just four pressures allowed. He is a bit lean and doesn’t have great length. Those concerns could lead to the Lions landing a steal.

Round 5, Pick 180: C James Brockermeyer

The same thing goes for Brockermeyer. The Lions need interior offensive linemen and he is a seasoned offensive lineman with time spent at Alabama, TCU and Miami. He has good ability to recover when beaten and uses his lean weight well.

Round 6, Pick 204: QB Cade Klubnik

Klubnik was projected to be a top quarterback in the draft class during the preseason. Things didn’t go that way. He doesn’t have crazy physical tools standing at six-foot-two and 210 pounds. He stands out with some athleticism, the ability to make unbalanced throws and the arm angles that he can throw from.

He could be a good backup quarterback for the Lions and presents them with a quarterback that could take over after Jared Goff.

Round 6, Pick 212: DT Cameron Ball

At this point, the Lions could use some depth on the d line with Ball. He is a good run defender and could be used on short yardage and goalline downs. He is twitchy and has some upside that he could grow into as a pass rusher.

Round 7, Pick 222: EDGE Wesley Williams

Williams appeared in 41 games recording 11.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss. He stands at six-foot-three and 251 pounds and was tearing up the Shrine Bowl. He seems like a good rotational edge rusher and someone that could have some upside.