The Detroit Lions’ 2026 draft class delivered just about everything Lions fans have come to expect: a smart and steady first‑round pick from a blue‑chip program, a confusing trade‑up or two and a handful of value plays.

Detroit stayed true to its identity — sometimes for better, sometimes for worse — and walked away with a class that raises both optimism and questions.

Here’s how each pick stacks up in my book:

Blake Miller — Grade: B+

With their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft, No. 17 overall, the Lions took Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller.

Miller was my favorite “off‑the‑beaten‑path” name Detroit could consider at 17. As a four‑year starter who never missed a game — and only missed two practices — he’s as reliable as they come. He’s also one of the more refined pass protectors in the class.

Miller probably owns the highest floor of any tackle in the class, making him an incredibly safe projection at right tackle and solidifying Penei Sewell’s move to the left side. The pick also elevates free‑agent addition Larry Borom into one of the better swing tackles in the league rather than an average or below‑average starter.

“Plug‑and‑play” is a term that should be used sparingly in prospect analysis, but Miller earns it. This is a safe move that pushes Detroit’s offensive line further in the right direction.

Best available alternatives: Monroe Freeling, Keldric Faulk, Akheem Mesidor, Max Iheanachor, Dillon Thienemann

Derrick Moore — Grade: D+

Almost every ounce of my satisfaction from round one evaporated in round two, when the Lions moved up from 50 to 44 to select Michigan edge Derrick Moore.

I’m glad Detroit finally invested real capital into edge, but Moore was my sixth‑best edge available, and there were strong options at other positions of need — the trade‑up adds extra sting.

Moore fits the versatile power‑edge archetype the Lions love, but he’s not particularly great at any part of it. He lacks twitch, bend, ideal size and run‑stopping consistency. His bull rush is his best trait, but he’ll need to add a lot to his game to become the edge presence Lions fans have been waiting for.

Best available alternatives: Emmanuel McNeil‑Warren, Zion Young, Jermod McCoy, Keyron Crawford, CJ Allen

Jimmy Rolder — Grade: B‑

Detroit went right back to the Wolverine well with its first pick of day three, selecting Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder.

Linebacker was probably the Lions’ biggest remaining need, and Rolder was, in my opinion, the best player available at the position. My biggest concern is the scheme fit: Detroit’s linebacker room lacks a true coverage player after Alex Anzalone’s departure, and coverage is probably Rolder’s biggest weakness.

Despite coverage woes, he does have the agility to improve in that area, and he’s already a violent, instinctive downhill defender. He should battle Malcolm Rodriguez for the third linebacker spot and contribute immediately on special teams.

Best available alternatives: Keith Abney, Kyle Louis, Mike Washington, Dani Dennis‑Sutton, Malik Muhammed

Keith Abney II — Grade: A

After a 49‑pick hiatus, the Lions came in swinging with my favorite Detroit pick of the draft, selecting Keith Abney 157th overall.

The Arizona State cornerback was the highest‑rated player on my board still available and my eighth corner overall — with the other seven going nearly 100 picks earlier (excluding Jermod McCoy, who fell due to unforeseen injury concerns).

Abney fills Detroit’s need for corner depth and brings good instincts, inside‑out versatility, ball skills and physicality. At 5‑10 with short arms and 4.48 speed, he’s not a prototype, but his effort and intangibles give him a real chance to contribute in the nickel early and potentially grow into a full‑time starter.

Best available alternatives: Emmett Johnson, Jalon Kilgore, Charlie Demmings, Dallen Bentley, VJ Payne

Kendrick Law — Grade: B

Later in the fifth, the Lions traded in to select Kendrick Law, a receiver who spent three quiet years at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky, where his production finally surfaced.

Law was a run‑after‑catch machine, gaining almost all of his yards after the reception. Kentucky clearly leaned into that, as most of his targets came near or behind the line of scrimmage. At 5‑11 and stockier than most receivers, he plays faster than his 4.45 suggests, but his downfield skill set is still very raw. Early production will likely come on returns or gadget touches.

The Kentucky receiver is also a fantastic run blocker, which lends to special teams play and explains why Brad Holmes apparently felt strongly about Law, moving up to secure him well above consensus.

Best available alternatives: Dallen Bentley, VJ Payne, Kaytron Allen, Harold Perkins Jr., Cole Payton

Skyler Gill‑Howard — Grade: B‑

There are two types of late‑round picks: high‑risk swings and solid depth pieces. Skyler Gill‑Howard is firmly the former.

The former D‑II linebacker added 50 pounds, transitioned to defensive tackle and transferred to Northern Illinois where he spent three seasons and played his way to Texas Tech as a fifth‑year senior. He’s compact for an interior defender, but he plays relentlessly, powerfully and with a quick first step — traits that made him a very effective pass rusher in his lone Power Five season.

His quick first step and pass rush repertoire give him a solid chance at winning reps early, but his size will probably take him out of the fight in reps that require more than one move. Consequently, he’s an intriguing fit for the Lions in passing scenarios that could become a valuable creator of consistent pressure — or a practice squad stash. 

Best available alternatives: Dallen Bentley, VJ Payne, Harold Perkins Jr., Caden Curry, Roman Hemby

Tyre West — Grade: C

With their final pick, the Lions selected Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West. Of the two late‑round archetypes, West is the depth piece.

At 6‑2, 285, he has an in‑between build for a defensive lineman. Right now, he’s probably a run‑stopping edge, but he could add or drop weight to become a more disruptive interior or edge defender. He improved each year at Tennessee but only started two games even in his best season.

Still, his character and work ethic fit Detroit’s profile, giving him a chance to stick as a versatile depth option.

Best available alternatives: Dallen Bentley, VJ Payne, Roman Hemby, Rayshaun Benny, Eli Heidenreich

Undrafted free agents

After the draft, the Lions added several undrafted free agents, including Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer, Illinois guard Melvin Priestly, USF cornerback De’Shawn Rucker, Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter, Cal defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina, USC edge Anthony Lucas, UNLV defensive back Aamaris Brown, Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman and Rutgers edge Eric O’Neill.

Drafts aren’t won on draft night.

They’re won in meeting rooms, practice fields and the slow, uneven climb from potential to production. The Lions made their bets — some safe, some bold, some debatable — but the story of this class can’t be written yet. It will be shaped by growth, coaching and how these players respond to the intensity of the league.

Detroit wrote the names — now the players have to write the story.