Lions Draft Mock: Freeling & Barham

0:00On April 5th, as the 2026 NFL draft gets closer in Pittsburgh, ESPN's top draft gurus, like Mill Kuiper Jr, dropped a fresh, rotating mock. For the Detroit Lions, at pick 17 in the first round, Kuiper has them grabbing Monroe Freeling, the offensive tackle out of Georgia. Freelings a long-term fixed tackle, no matter where Penaisule lines up next year. He's only started 17 college games so far, but his length, quickness, and sky-high potential make him a steal if he slides to 17. This projection's been buzzing lately, as the Lions eye a tailor-decker successor. Lions fans are already nodding along since the team desperately needs depth on that old line to keep protecting Jared Goff. Then in round two at pick 50, Matt Miller hands them Jay-Shan Barham, the edge-resher for Michigan. Barham's a local beast, transitioning from line-backer with 32 tackles, 10 for loss, 4 sacks, and more last season. He's the perfect spark opposite Aiden Hutchinson to juice that pass rush.

1:03With the draft hype building, these mock show Detroit stacking trenches early and often. NFL news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters on game day, I'm Kui with the story.