New 2026 mock draft has Lions going against their type at key position

To some extent, it's always mock draft season wherever we are on the calendar. But as we get toward the midpoint of the 2025 regular season, new mock drafts are starting surface a little more as prospects advance themselves and 2026 needs begin to show.

The foundation of the Detroit Lions' rise has been the draft, and there are no signs of that changing as those draft picks prove themselves worthy of lucrative second contracts. Keeping the pipeline of young, cheaper talent full will become more and more critical.

Fans and many analysts have leaned into the Lions' need for another capable edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. And if we're being honest, with general manager Brad Holmes consistently lamenting how hard it is to acquire a proven veteran, that notable investment will most likely come in the draft.

In his new 2026 mock draft, Jordan Reid of ESPN had the Lions taking Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton with the 20th overall pick.

PFF mock draft has Lions going against type to fill need

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus also has a new 2026 mock draft. With the 23rd overall pick, he has them taking Oklahoma edge rusher Mason Thomas.

"Thomas isn’t built like your typical NFL edge rusher at 6-foot-2, but he is stacked and strong for his size at 250 pounds. He has incredible first-step explosiveness, which he can convert into devastating power. He has a 90.6 pass-rush grade this season and remains strong as a run defender (69.2 run-defense grade) despite being undersized. He has a relentless style to him that NFL teams will gravitate toward."

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Thomas had a breakout season for the Sooners in 2024 (nine sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss), and through six games this season he's on a similar pace (four sacks, six tackles for loss). As Sikkema noted the core of his game is getting after the quarterback (a top-20 pass rushing grade among edge rushers), but he's not a detriment defending the run.

The "relentless style" Thomas has will surely grab the Lions' attention on tape. But that only goes so far when considering the physical template they clearly seek for their edge rushers.

Looking at the current roster of edge rushers, while also counting Marcus Davenport on IR and Josh Paschal on the NFI list, Thomas (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) lands on the low end of measurables at the position. Measurables aren't the be-all, end-all, but the Lions have built a resume for what they seek in edge players and Thomas noticeably falls short of that template.

Thomas may end up being one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 draft class, and the premium on the position would then put him in the first round conversation. It's just unlikely the Lions will be the team that makes him a first-round pick, all things considered.