You’d think after a 9-8 season and a frustrating early exit, everyone would be laser-focused on the roster. But honestly? Most of the chatter around the Motor City right now is about the cupboards being a little bare for next April. Brad Holmes has built a reputation as a draft-day wizard, but the Detroit Lions 2026 draft picks look a lot different than they did a year ago.
We’re used to seeing Holmes with a war chest. Not this time.
Basically, the Lions are heading into the 2026 cycle with seven confirmed picks, but there’s a massive, third-round-sized hole in the middle of their strategy. If you’re looking for those Day 2 picks that usually define this regime, you’re going to be disappointed. They traded them. Both of them.
The Isaac TeSlaa Trade and the Third-Round Void
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The Lions currently have zero picks in the third round. That’s usually where Holmes finds his "glue guys," but he pushed all those chips into the middle of the table during the 2025 draft to move up for wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.
It was a bold move. Maybe too bold?
To get TeSlaa, Detroit shipped their own 2026 third-rounder and a 2026 third-round compensatory pick (the one they got for Aaron Glenn taking the Jets job) to Jacksonville. People were scratching their heads then, and they're definitely scratching them now that the 2026 draft order is set with Detroit at No. 17.
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TeSlaa has shown flashes—three catches and two scores in limited action—but he's essentially the reason the Lions are "draft poor" in the middle rounds.
What’s Left in the Bag?
So, what do the Detroit Lions 2026 draft picks actually look like right now? It's a weird mix of high-end capital and late-round flyers.
- Round 1: Their own pick (No. 17 overall).
- Round 2: Their own pick (No. 50 overall).
- Round 4: Their own pick.
- Round 5: Their own pick.
- Round 6: From Cleveland (via the Jacksonville/TeSlaa trade).
- Round 6: From Jacksonville (the Tim Patrick trade).
- Round 7: From Cleveland (the Za'Darius Smith trade).
Wait, what about their own 6th and 7th?
Gone. The 6th-rounder went to Cleveland in the Za'Darius Smith deal, and the 7th was sent to Jacksonville way back in 2023 for kicker Riley Patterson. It’s a literal game of musical chairs with these late-round assets.
The Compensatory Pick Game: A Small Saving Grace
There is a bit of good news, though it's sort of like finding a five-dollar bill in your pocket after losing your wallet. According to the nerds over at Over the Cap, Detroit is projected to land at least one more selection.
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Because they lost guys like Carlton Davis III and Kevin Zeitler in free agency while only bringing in D.J. Reed and Roy Lopez, the formula favors them. We’re likely looking at an extra 4th-round or 6th-round compensatory pick. It won't replace a lost third-rounder, but in a Brad Holmes draft, a 4th-rounder might as well be a starter.
Needs vs. Reality at Pick 17
Sitting at No. 17 is a bit of a "no man's land." You're too low for the elite, blue-chip offensive tackles like Kadyn Proctor (who most mocks have going Top 10), but you're right in the sweet spot for the next tier of interior help.
The defense needs a spark. Plain and simple.
Aidan Hutchinson needs a running mate who doesn't just "provide pressure" but actually finishes. Names like Tyreak Sapp from Florida or even a mountain of a man like Peter Woods from Clemson have been floated in the early mock draft circles. Honestly, if a guy like Woods falls to 17, you don't even think about it. You just turn in the card.
But don't rule out the offensive line.
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Taylor Decker isn't getting any younger. While the Lions have been resilient, the drop-off when a starter goes down has been noticeable. Taking a versatile piece like Tate Ratledge—someone who can slide between guard and center—would be a very "Lions" move. It’s not sexy. It won't sell jerseys. But it keeps Jared Goff upright.
Why the "Shortage" Might Not Matter
Look, fans are worried about the lack of picks, but you've gotta remember the context. This isn't the 2021 Lions anymore. This is a roster that’s already deep.
Where would you even put seven or eight rookies?
The Lions are at a stage where they need quality over quantity. They don't need five guys who might make the practice squad; they need two guys who can start on Day 1. By trading those 2026 picks for TeSlaa and Za'Darius Smith, Holmes essentially decided that proven talent (or high-upside youth) was better than the lottery tickets of a future draft.
It’s a gamble. If TeSlaa doesn't become a WR2, that trade is going to haunt the 2026 off-season.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of this chaotic situation, here is how you should actually prepare for the Detroit Lions 2026 draft picks season:
- Watch the Compensatory Formula: Keep an eye on the official NFL announcement in March. If the Lions get a 4th-round pick instead of a 6th, it completely changes their flexibility to trade back into the 3rd round.
- Scout the "Big Uglies": Focus your college Saturday viewing on the SEC and Big 10 offensive lines. With the 17th pick, the Lions are almost certainly going to look at guys who weigh over 300 pounds.
- Ignore the "Trade Up" Rumors: With no third-rounders, the Lions don't have the ammo to move up into the Top 10 without giving up a 2027 first-round pick. It’s highly unlikely they move up this year.
- Monitor the Veteran Cuts: Because the draft capital is lean, the Lions might be more active in the "second wave" of free agency.
The 2026 draft won't be the fireworks show we saw in 2024 or 2025. It’s going to be a surgical, specific attempt to plug the last few holes in a championship-caliber roster. Whether Holmes can find another Sun God or Sam LaPorta without those middle-round picks is the $100 million question.