No NFL teams have won more regular-season games over the last three seasons than the Lions, Bills, and Ravens, all claiming 36 victories over said span. Detroit is still searching for that Super Bowl appearance after failed postseason efforts in 2023 and 2024, and a 9-8 mark this season that kept them out of the playoffs altogether.
With seven picks currently at their disposal, let’s hop into PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator to see how the Lions can reclaim their double-digit-win status.
Round 1, Pick 17: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
This is more of a precarious spot in the draft than it may seem. General Manager Brad Holmes has a history of moving around the draft at a rate beyond that of most NFL teams. Players like Kadyn Porctor (OT) and Kayden McDonald (DT) are still on the board.
Ultimately, it would be surprising to see Detroit not dedicate this selection to somewhere along either line.
The Lions were mainly average analytically, with PFSN’s 16th-best NFL Team OL Impact Score, behind similar rankings in sacks allowed (18th) and the sacks allowed percentage (13th). Adding in the uncertainty regarding left tackle Taylor Decker’s future, we are presented with an uncomfortable future for quarterback Jared Goff.
With Miami’s Francis Mauigoa off the board (not necessarily who I would select between the two, but it would create a lengthier discussion), Detroit turns to a personal favorite of mine to provide some clarity.
Fano’s PFSN CFB Player OL Impact Score of 94.0 was second amongst all FBS tackles and third-highest across the entire subdivision. Such a move would open the door for incumbent correct tackle Penei Sewell to return to the blindside, where he earned All-American honors with the Oregon Ducks.
Round 2, Pick 44 (Trade With the New York Jets): Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
As we’ve noted, Holmes has a strong history of moving up in the draft. We would replicate that here by climbing six spots in a swap with the Jets, which also cost us a late fourth-round pick.
The idea of leaving the draft with Fano and Pregnon in hand could not excite me more, given our commitment to enriching the trenches; another Pac-12 team of yesteryear provides Detroit with a player that I hold in high esteem.
Now, center is seemingly more of a pressing need than the guard. There are talented defensive linemen still available. This pick could honestly go in a variety of directions, but I have to imagine the focus is on keeping Goff upright. So, why Pregnon?
The possibility of retirement for starting center Graham Glasgow is apparently on the table. Barring the likes of a free agency signing (looking at you, Tyler Linderbaum), the belief is that rookie guard Tate Ratledge would slide to the pivot and push Christian Mahogany from left guard to the right side that he mainly manned during his time at Boston College.
Will it happen? Who knows! There are many ifs, maybes, and overall moving parts. But as it stands, I am too enamored by the current alternate reality in which this draft board fell.
Round 4, Pick 134 (Trade With The New York Jets): Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
New York would call us this time to discuss the prospect of doing business. Picking up the phone was wise: We would swap fourth-round picks, moving back from 118, to pick up an additional quartet of selections. The Jets would then use their pick in the 110s to take Zachariah Branch, a speedy Georgia receiver (sound familiar?).
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Holmes was averaging two trades up the board and one-and-a-half trades down the board on a per-year basis, allowing us to sprinkle some reality on this mock draft.
Has Detroit had any success with defensive linemen from the University of Michigan? Moore parlayed a stellar senior season that saw him register 10.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, and PFSN’s 12-highest CFB Edge Impact Score into a Senior Bowl invitation.
Round 5, Pick 157: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
This pick is some combination of best player available and obtaining a need, so it becomes an exercise in opportunity cost:
Would you rather have a defensive back currently on the board that you aren’t particularly convicted on relative to the spot, or opt for a quality linebacker now and pursue a defensive back that you feel more comfortable with at a later point in the draft? The award-winning linebacker presents as desired value on Day 3.
Round 5, Pick 164 (Trade With The Buffalo Bills): Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
Let’s start by saying this. Do I expect Romello Height to be available with the 164th pick sans any medical or personal revelations? No, I do not. Yes, he’s old and light with certifiable struggles against the run.
Those warts still won’t prevent him from being selected as a top-75 pick in my opinion. Also of note: Holmes has a history of dedicating a high volume of draft capital to the defensive line, so why stop here?
Height paired well with fellow edge rusher, David Bailey, to form one of college football’s most disruptive defensive line duos.
A stop on his fourth Power 4 team was the best of his six-year career with 10 sacks and 11.5 TFLs in 2025, good for 16th across the entire FBS in CFB Edge Impact Score. He will join all but Fano of those above him in this mock draft at the Senior Bowl.
Round 6, Pick 199 (Trade With The New England Patriots): Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
We were able to package pick 236 that we received from the Jets to jump from 220 back into the sixth round at the spot the Patriots popularized 26 years ago when they took someone by the name of Tom Brady.
Cornerback play as a whole left more to be desired for the Lions last season, not to mention Holmes’ propensity for bolstering their defensive back unit through the draft. Enter Demmings, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder who operated as one of the best secondary players in the entire FCS in 2025.
His four interceptions and nine PBUs this season brought his career totals to nine and 35, respectively. He, too, will be in Mobile for the Senior Bowl.
Round 7, Pick 241 (Trade With The New York Jets): Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
The former five-star recruit never quite met those expectations during his time at Georgia. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of his evaluation was the inability to take the next step in his development as a senior despite inarguably showing improvement each of the prior three seasons, falling from 84th in the PFSN College CB Impact metrics as a junior to 193rd this season. Nevertheless, the signs of athletic and physical attributes are more than worthy of a seventh-round selection.
Round 7, Pick 257 (Trade With The New York Jets): Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Welcome to Mr. Irrelevant! The illustrious draft finale closes with another former five-star recruit who found himself on the 247Sports version of the Freaks List for his athletic marvels.
And despite rising from 384th to 183rd in PFSN College Safety Impact Score between 2024 and 2025, Nwankpa failed to build on the momentum established in his sophomore season, his first as a starter. A sizeable defensive back with a noteworthy athletic background is the epitome of a late-round flyer.
Tampa Two 
Leave a comment