BP CLOSE THE DOOR. THERE IS A DRAFT IN HERE. The 2026 NFL Draft that is (puts on sunglasses). The NFL draft kicks off Thursday April 23rd in Pittsburgh 8 PM ET for Round 1 (minus the Packers), Friday April 24 7 PM ET for Rounds 2-3 and April 25 Noon ET for Rounds 4-7. Deal with it.
Let’s take a look at the needs of the North, the draft picks of the NFC North teams and some possible fits from the prospects.
Detroit Lions
Need: Offensive Tackle, Base EDGE, Will LB
Lions Draft picks
Round 1 Pick 17
The Lions should focus on offensive tackle in Round 1 and there are plenty to choose from but no real elite tackles in this class.
Franics Mauigoa is from Miami and should be the top tackle in the class. He was exceptional for the Hurricanes in both run and pass blocking. Mauler type but GMs will need to check on his arm length for tackle. Plug and play Right tackle (and Lions move Sewell to LT).
Spencer Fano from Utah is an uber athletic OT. His question is his size but he can play all over the offensive line and give his new team real athleticism.
Monroe Freeling was Georgia’s left tackle and really had a great year. He doesn’t have much starting experience (only 1 year) but has a very high ceiling. He is more of a pure left tackle and got a comp to Taylor Decker (who the Lions are replacing due to injury/cap/oldness). He is a late riser that should be a 1st round pick.
Kadyn Proctor is a mountain of a man with surprising athleticism from Alabama. Overweight issues but if he is the right size he can be a day 1 starter at left or right tackle. Boom or bust type pick.
Blake Miller is a super experienced RT from Clemson. He is durable, team leader and a mauler in the run game. He would be a day 1 starter at RT. Comps to Rob Havenstein long time RT from the Rams.
Caleb Lomu is Utah’s left tackle with comparison to Garrett Bolles from Denver. Very athletic and great in pass pro but needs to add some strength.
Max Iheanchor is a raw boom or bust but has good power and athleticism. Hasn’t been playing football very long but could sneak into Round 1. Comps to Darnell Wright from the Bears.
Vega Ioane is a stud guard from Penn State and would probably be the best offensive lineman on the board. Depends how Detroit really feels about Larry Borom starting RT but guard would be studs with Ioane and Rattledge.
Edges like Keldrick Faulk from Auburn or Akheem Mesidor from Miami could be on the table as well for Detroit if there is a run on offensive tackles. Trade up is possible at right price to get the tackle they want. Trade down possible if run on tackles as well.
If Lions want to get crazy they will trade Sam La Porta (for late Round 1 or Round 2 pick ) and draft Kenyon Saddiq at 17 at TE. Highly unlikely but Lions still have a good TE and don’t have to pay La Porta (while paying Gibbs, Branch and Campbell).
Peter Woods and Kayden McDonald would be interesting DT picks in back to back years (Tyleik Williams in 2025).
Round 2 Pick 50
Detroit is wide open in Round 2 for EDGE, LB, DB in Round 2
Gabe Jacas, Malachi Lawrence and Romello Height would be in play at EDGE. Anthony Hill, Jacob Rodriguez at Will LB. DeAngleo Ponds or Keante Scott would be stud nickels at pick 50. Emannuel Pregon is a good guard prospect as well for Detroit. Gennings Dunker, Caleb Tiernan and Dametrious Crownover are tackles that could be at 50 if the Lions don’t take an offensive tackle at 17.
GONE Round 3 traded for Isaac TesLaa last draft. If Detroit trades back in Round 1 they could pick up a 3rd round pick though.
Round 4 Pick 118 and Round 4 Pick 128
TE Justin Joly and Sam Roush are in play. Developmental QB Drew Allar from Penn State. Jake Slaughter and Parker Brailsford at center. Dontay Corleone at DT. Harold Perkins at LB, Jadon Canady (nickel), Kaytron Allen at RB, Bud Clark (free safety) or Jalon Kilgore (safety) would be good picks in Round 4.
Round 5 Pick 157
Round 5 Pick 181
Round 6 Pick 205
Round 6 Pick 213
Round 7 Pick 222
Minnesota Vikings
Vikings need 3-4 DE, Safety, Nose Tackle, CB, WR3, future RT beyond O’ Neil
Round 1 pick 18
Vikings probably take a safety in Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil Warren. Offensive tackles as listed above, could be on the table if Vikings are replacing old Brian O’Neil. TE Kenyon Saddiq with Hockensen’s big contract/age is possible. DTs Peter Woods, Lee Hunter or Kayden McDonald are DT/3-4 DE options. Trade down is open with a new interim GM and not many picks.
Round 2 Pick 49 EDGE, OT, DB on the board for sure. Keonte Scott or Ponds would be good picks here. Trayden Dukes would be a good DB pick as well.
Round 3 Pick 82
Round 3 Pick 97
Round 5 Pick 163
Round 6 Pick 196
Three Round 7 picks
Chicago Bears
Bears need EDGE, Left tackle (given the injury to Trapilo), strong safety and CB2 upgrade over Tyrique Stephenson.
Round 1 Pick 25 Could see a tackle from above or an EDGE like Keldrick Faulk or Akeem Mesidor. Thieneman or McNeil Warren at safety also in play. CB2 could be McCoy if he falls, Aveion Terrell (if they think he can play outside CB). Slot WR in play with Kalif Raymond’s age on a 1 year deal.
Round 2 Pick 57. Chris Johnson would be a good outside CB pick in Round 2 or EDGE like Gabe Jacas, Malachi Lawrence, Zion Young.
Round 2 Pick 60 Bears get an extra 2nd round pick for trading DJ Moore. Center Sam Hecht could be in play after Dalman retired despite the trade for Bradbury.
Round 3 Pick 89
Round 4 Pick 129
Round 7 Pick 239
Round 7 Pick 241
Green Bay Packers
Packers could need an EDGE, DT, CB and offensive line help/depth and another WR after trading Wicks. Green Bay doesn’t pick until Round 2 because they traded for Parsons (same for 2027).
Round 2 52 EDGE Malachi Lawrence, EDGE Keyron Crawford, CB Brandon Cisse, Guard Trey Zuhn, LB CJ Allen, OT Caleb Tiernan, DT Christen Miller could all be in play at 52.
Round 3 Pick 84 WR Cyrus Allen or WR Chris Brazzell, Nickel back Jadon Canady, OT Austin Barber and Guards Billy Schrauth or Keagan Trost would be good Round 3 picks.
Round 4 Pick 120
Round 5 Pick 153
Round 5 Pick 160
Round 6 Pick 201
Round 7 Pick 236
Round 7 Pick 255
NFL draft is key as always for future success. Getcha popcorn ready for a competitive NFC North.