Lions projected to land the perfect Alex Anzalone replacement in latest mock draft

Alex Anzalone has been mentioned in the media heavily the last couple of days after Lions general manager Brad Holmes didn't commit to the linebacker's future being in Detroit.

Anzalone is a pending free agent after the 2025 season going into his fifth year in Detroit. While the team did give him a slight raise of $250,000, they did not extend him. The Lions also added another $750,000 in playing time incentives, adding a possible $1 million dollars in income for the 2025 season.

With college football coming into full swing, NFL writers and experts continue to monitor the next generation of players who will be waiting for their name to be called come spring of 2026. Recently, Sayre Bedinger of NFL Spin Zone projected the Lions will take Anthony Hill Jr. from the University of Texas in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.

Lions snag perfect Anzalone replacement in latest 2026 mock draft

"The Lions used a first-round pick a couple of years back on Jack Campbell out of Iowa, a player who embodied what it means to be a “hunter” at the linebacker position. Hill is another guy with those types of traits. He has the obvious: Size, speed, range, playmaking ability. But what will really endear him to a team like the Detroit Lions is that he’s got a nose for the football and is physical every single snap," wrote Badinger.

Anzalone is obviously respected by his teammates, earning the title of captain for his fifth consecutive season. He's been crucial to the Lions' resurgence. He signed with the team in 2021 as one of GM Brad Holmes biggest additions that has gotten the franchise back on track.

While he's been extremely effective, injuries have slowed down his production while he's also coming up on turning 31.

The Lions have plenty of questions at linebacker from a purely financial perspective, as well. Jack Campbell will be due for an extension and Malcom Rodriguez (though injured) is a free agent after this season as he awaits his time to return on PUP.

The Lions did extend Derrick Barnes (a 2021 draft class member), while also rostering pending free agents like Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, and Zach Cunningham. The drafting of Hill Jr. would make sense as the team is able to get younger and free up some cap space with a team-friendly rookie deal on their books.

Hill Jr. is coming off a 113 tackle, eight sack season in 2024, as well as earning All-American and All-SEC honors this past season. Hill provides a bit of versatility to Detroit, with the ability to play the EDGE occasionally while also serving as a traditional linebacker. While he is by no means a perfect prospect, he does have the frame, size, and athleticism to thrive in the NFC North.

Regardless of what the mock drafts say, the task at hand for Anzalone is to obviously compete for a Super Bowl in 2025.