Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft: CFN College Football Take on Every Pick

Story by

Pete Fiutak

Tue, Apr 28, 2026 ·

3 min read

The Lions needed a lot, but they seemed to fight the draft.

There were plenty of opportunities to address the holes on the defensive lines and secondary, but they'll have to bank on the few pieces they drafted.

Clemson's Blake Miller has got to be a factor at one tackle gig. Michigan's Derrick Moore has got to be star on the edge. If those two things don't happen, this draft could be a bust.

Lions Draft Quick Hits

Best Value: Keith Abney II, CB Arizona State
Biggest Need: Defensive Line
Missed: Bulk D Linemen
Big Call: None of the Day 3 picks will do much

Detroit Lions first round draft Blake Miller, center, poses for a photo with his father Chris Miller, left, and mother Karen Miller at his introductory press conference at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, April 24, 2026.© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

What They Got Right

The Lions attacked two of the screaming needs.They needed an offensive tackle, and Miller is a good one. They needed another pass rusher, and Moore isn't bad. Considering they didn't have another pick until the fourth round, they had to get those two spots, but ...

What They Missed

Defensive tackle.They picked Texas Tech's Skyler Gill-Howard late in the sixth round, but they needed to do something to move up and go after a few defensive tackles earlier.

Best Value Pick

Keith Abney III, CB Arizona StateHe dropped a bit because he's missing the bulk and size, but he's strong, quick, and should've been a late second rounder, not a fifth.

Biggest Reach

Jimmy Rolder, LB MichiganIt wasn't a bad pick in the middle of the fourth round, but the Lions needed more pass rushing options. Duke's Wesley Williams and Penn State's Dani Dennis-Sutton went with the next two picks.

CFN Draft Grade

Grade: C-
It's fine, but it's a draft class. Nothing more, nothing less.

Taking Miller over an edge rusher in the first round was fine, but it's a call. They got that edge in Moore in the second around, but Missouri's Zion Young went with the next pick - he's a better talent.

Again, those two should be fine. There's just not a lot after those two to get fired up about.

Detroit Lions Draft Class

Round 1, (17): Blake Miller, OT Clemson
Okay, fine. It was a good draft of tackles, and while Miller is good, it’s a wee bit early for him.

Round 2, (44): Derrick Moore, EDGE Michigan
A reach pick with other good edge rushers on the board, he’ll be okay in the rotation.

Round 4, (118): Jimmy Rolder, LB Michigan
This was way too early, considering the strong pass rushers that were still on the board.

Round 5, (157): Keith Abney II, CB Arizona State
Terrific player and wonderful value, he’s a fifth-rounder who should’ve gone late second.

Round 5, (168): Kendrick Law, WR Kentucky
It’s a nice late idea. He has the speed to get deep and could find a No. 4 WR role.

Round 6, (205): Skyler Gill-Howard, DT Texas Tech
He dropped because of an ankle problem and is undersized, but he’s an interior pass rusher.

Round 7, (222): Tyre West, EDGE Tennessee
Very big for an edge rusher, he’s a late flier to try out as a versatile backup.

This story was originally published by College Football News on Apr 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL Draft section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.