B
Detroit Lions
Miller should have been long gone. The Lions pounced, and earned a B.
by SunDGod ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 5 steals
· 2 reaches
You build a draft on nights like this. Christen Miller had no business being available in pick No. 98, and the Lions did the only sane thing and turned in the card. No fireworks, but a solid B.
The Payton reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade. The edge rusher hole is the one line item this class does not answer.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 17th pick they get the heartbeat of the defense at a price that makes it sweeter. A real need, handled.
Nice patience on Brandon Cisse, who had no business lasting to pick No. 50. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Jake Slaughter at the Round 3 slot is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They robbed the room for Christen Miller here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Bryce Lance in Round 4, Pick 18 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Kage Casey at No. 151 is a conviction pick that outran the value. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Cole Payton in slot 157 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. A need, and now a little less of one.