2026 Lions Mock Draft Roundup 8.0: Free agency heavily alters projections

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 12: Blake Miller #78 of the Clemson Tigers in action during 3 - cone shuttle at Pro Day at Allen N. Reeves Football Complex on March 12, 2026 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Katie DeVaney/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 2026 NFL free agency period is just over 10 days old, and the decisions made across the NFL have significantly altered the majority of mock draft projections.

For the Detroit Lions, we have seen the field of prospects narrowing, and there’s also been a heavy shift toward one position. In this installment, we explored 40 mock drafts published over the past week, and 80% of those predictions had the Lions selecting an offensive tackle to replace Taylor Decker. There was one projection of an interior offensive lineman, but the remaining mock drafts had the Lions targeting edge players.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to the Lions this week. Offensive linemen Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5 1/2, 311) Source: Justin Melo ( SI – NFL Draft ), Scouting department ( Bleacher Report ), Dante Collinelli ( Casual NFL Draft Analyst ) “Taylor Decker surprisingly asked for his release. That leaves the Detroit Lions in a bind at offensive tackle opposite Penei Sewell.

Spencer Fano was excellent at the NFL Combine, and his measurements proved he could stick at tackle. Fano is an excellent pass protector on tape who is also familiar with a variety of run-blocking concepts from his time executing Utah’s offense,” — Melo Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia (6-foot-7 1/2, 315) Source: Daniel Jeremiah ( NFL. com ), Eric Edholm ( NFL.