Detroit Lions 2026 draft preview: Edge fits abound in early rounds

Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25 in Pittsburgh), we'll be taking a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions ' roster and how the team's needs can be met on draft weekend. Today: Edge defenders. Previously: Quarterbacks , running backs , wide receivers , tight ends , interior offensive linemen , offensive tackles , defensive tackles (Consensus rankings via NFL Mock Draft Database’s aggregated big board) Current roster outlook The Lions are revamping their defensive end room this offseason and currently have five players at the position.

They couldn’t afford Al-Quadin Muhammad after his breakout 11-sack campaign, and they haven’t brought back Marcus Davenport (yet), who appeared in just 10 games over two seasons and provided lackluster returns when he did play. Josh Paschal , a second-round pick in 2022, was released in March. DJ Wonnum is the position’s most notable addition in free agency thus far.

If the Lions don’t draft an edge defender who starts, Wonnum should be able to competently take over Davenport’s early-down role and be effective against the run. Multiple eight-sack seasons on his resume suggest he has some pass-rushing upside, as well. Detroit also signed Payton Turner , a former first-round pick who is getting a change of scenery after four disappointing seasons with the New Orleans Saints and one injury-derailed year with the Dallas Cowboys.

And of course, any additions to the edge group will be with the mission of supporting Aidan Hutchinson , who earned the most guaranteed money for a non-quarterback in NFL history in a contract extension last October. He had 14½ sacks and played all 17 games in his return from a broken leg the previous season . Rounding out the position group is Ahmed Hassanein , a sixth-round draft pick in 2025 who didn’t play a snap during his rookie year after missing significant time with a pectoral injury he suffered during the preseason .