Dane Brugler shares full Detroit Lions 7-round NFL mock draft

Note: Owen Heinecke , who Dane Brugler mocked to the Lions in the sixth round, was granted an injunction to play another season of college football Mock drafts for the season are starting to wrap up as we are less than a week away from the start of the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh. Most mock drafts will be a couple of rounds, but Dane Brugler of The Athletic always goes the distance after he releases his draft guide, properly titled "The Beast. " Brugler projected all 257 picks and all seven rounds and we'll take a quick look at those picks here, with his analysis for the Lions ' top pick at No.

17 overall and his one-liner takeaways for each player after. First Round, No. 17: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia Dane's pick analysis: Though he’s inexperienced in areas, Freeling is an ascending player with above-average size and athletic traits.

The Lions have short-term options opposite Penei Sewell, but Freeling has the talent to earn his way onto the field at some point during his rookie season. Dane's takeaway on Freeling: Freeling is still very young in several areas, but the future looks bright — his athletic toolbox and technical confidence continue to develop with each rep (he’s similar in ways to Kolton Miller as a prospect). Although bumps in the road should be expected, Freeling can secure a starting job as an NFL rookie.

Second Round, No. 50: D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana Dane's takeaway: Ponds is undersized (which will be a deal-breaker for some), but he compensates with top-tier speed, instincts and competitive toughness that is ingrained in his DNA. His play style makes it hard to bet against him becoming an inside-outside NFL starter.