As the NFL world eagerly awaits the 2026 draft, one question looms large: Who will the Detroit Lions select to bolster their roster? With the 2025 season fading into memory and the Super Bowl as the last hurrah before the offseason, analysts are already diving into predictions. Among them, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has dropped his first mock draft, and it’s a doozy. Just like Dane Brugler’s recent projections, Jeremiah’s picks are sure to spark debate and reshape how we view top prospects. But here’s where it gets controversial: while many expected the Lions to target an offensive tackle or a familiar name like Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Jeremiah has them going in a completely different direction. And this is the part most people miss—he’s not just making a bold pick; he’s challenging the entire narrative around the Lions’ needs.
Jeremiah’s mock draft kicks off with a consensus on the top offensive tackles and edge rushers. Utah’s Spencer Fano and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa are off the board in the top six, while Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Miami’s Reuben Bain are gone by pick 10. By the time the Lions are on the clock at No. 17, trading up for a top tackle feels like a long shot, and settling for the third-best option might be a stretch. Jeremiah doesn’t see an offensive lineman as the best value here, so he pivots to the next pressing need: edge rusher. But instead of pairing Detroit with the oft-mentioned Faulk, he throws a curveball—Akheem Mesidor, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound EDGE from Miami.
Jeremiah’s reasoning? Mesidor’s versatility and strength make him a perfect complement to Aidan Hutchinson, mirroring the dynamic duo he formed with Bain at Miami. While this pick might raise eyebrows due to Mesidor’s relative lack of hype, Jeremiah isn’t alone in his assessment. Brugler also projects Mesidor as a first-round talent, and his rising stock during the college football playoffs has turned heads. In my own analysis of the CFP National Championship Game, I highlighted Mesidor as an overlooked gem, noting his positional range and stylistic fit for the Lions—even if his age (turning 25 before the draft) has kept him out of some first-round conversations.
Is Mesidor the right choice for Detroit? Jeremiah and Brugler’s endorsements suggest he’s worth the gamble, but it’s a pick that’s sure to divide opinions. If the Lions do go this route, it’s a statement that they’re prioritizing long-term potential over immediate name recognition. For those still skeptical, consider this: talent like Mesidor doesn’t stay under the radar for long, and the Lions could be ahead of the curve here. So, adjust your draft boards—this pick might just be the sleeper hit of 2026.
If Mesidor isn’t your cup of tea, here are a few other prospects Jeremiah had the Lions passing on (and where they landed in his mock):
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (pick No. 20)
- Kayden Proctor, OT, Alabama (pick No. 24)
- Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (pick No. 28)
- Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah (pick No. 31)
Now, here’s the real question: Do you think Jeremiah’s pick of Mesidor is a stroke of genius or a risky move? And if not Mesidor, who would you have the Lions target at No. 17? Let’s hear your take in the comments—this is one debate that’s just getting started.
