The 2026 NFL Draft Order: A Comprehensive Overview for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions' 2025 season has come to a close, and the team now holds the 17th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the season is over for half the league, the draft order is still being finalized. Here's a breakdown of the Lions' draft position and some insights into the upcoming draft.
Lions' Estimated Picks in Each Round
- Round 1: No. 17
- Round 2: No. 50
- Round 4: To be determined
- Round 5: To be determined (Expected compensatory pick for the loss of Kevin Zeitler)
- Round 6: To be determined (From Jaguars via Tim Patrick trade)
- Round 6: To be determined (From Jaguars via trade for Issac TeSlaa)
- Round 7: To be determined (From Cleveland via Za'Darius Smith trade)
Compensatory Picks: A Closer Look
Compensatory picks are awarded based on roster moves during the previous offseason. The Lions initially weren't expected to receive one, but D.J. Reed's injury played a role. According to OverTheCap.com, the Lions are expected to receive a fifth-round compensatory pick.
History of Pick No. 17
The Lions have held the 17th pick five times, with the last occurrence in 2008 when they selected Gosder Cherilus. Cherilus was an immediate starter at right tackle, playing five seasons in Detroit. Here's a look at the players selected at No. 17 in recent years:
- 2025: Shemar Stewart, EDGE (Bengals)
- 2024: Dallas Turner, EDGE (Vikings)
- 2023: Christian Gonzalez, CB (Patriots)
- 2022: Zion Johnson, OL (Chargers)
- 2021: Alex Leatherwood, OT (Raiders)
- 2020: CeeDee Lamb, WR (Cowboys)
- 2019: Dexter Lawrence, DT (Giants)
- 2018: Derwin James, SAF (Chargers)
- 2017: Jonathan Allen, DT (Commanders)
- 2016: Keanu Neal, SAF (Falcons)
Current 2026 NFL Draft Order
Here's the current first-round order, with picks 19-32 still undetermined based on the NFL playoffs:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- Cleveland Browns
- Washington Commanders
- New Orleans Saints
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins
- Dallas Cowboys
- Atlanta Falcons (owned by Rams)
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Indianapolis Colts (owned by Jets)
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
