B-
Detroit Lions
A respectable, level-headed haul for the Lions: B-.
by Henbi ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 2 steals
· 6 reaches
The rest of the league had time to spare on Patrick Payton; the Lions did not wait, grabbing him 90 spots ahead at the 157th pick. A sturdy weekend that grades out a B-.
If one pick saves this weekend, it is Rivers. They will regret leaving running back for another day if the season turns on it.
A tidy weekend of work that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 17 they get a cornerstone up front, though the board says they badly overpaid. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
Gabe Jacas in the Round 2 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Drew Allar in the 118th overall pick is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Somehow Chandler Rivers was still sitting there in pick No. 128, and they pounced on premier cornerback value. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They talked themselves into Patrick Payton at No. 157, and the board did not agree. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They paid a round early for Jeff Caldwell in slot 181, more than the board wanted. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Owen Heinecke well ahead of where he belonged. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Dalton Johnson in pick No. 213 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Josh Cuevas at the 222nd overall pick is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.