We’re headed to Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine next week, making for the perfect time to drop our first round of mock drafts.
See below for MLive Detroit Lions beat writer Ben Raven’s first mock draft of the offseason:
1. Las Vegas Raiders -- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
It’s a new era for the Raiders. New coach (again). New quarterback (again). Fernando Mendoza is the no-doubt QB1 this year after his legendary 16-0 run to the national championship with the Hoosiers.
2. New York Jets -- Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
Thanks to Dante Moore returning to Oregon, taking a quarterback here wouldn’t be wise. Instead, Aaron Glenn should be thrilled to get the dynamic Arvell Reese with their first of two first-rounders. Reese checks all the boxes in terms of height, weight, speed, production and versatility. Glenn faces pressure to show growth to avoid his seat getting hotter, and bulking up his defense should help.
3. Arizona Cardinals -- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Spencer Fano is my favorite offensive line prospect on the board. The Cardinals need help everywhere, with a glaring hole in the trenches. Pairing Fano with young tackle Paris Johnson Jr. would give Arizona something to hang its hat on as it enters another rebuild.
4. Tennessee Titans -- Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Robert Saleh injects his defense with a ton of talent on the edges to start his tenure in Tennessee. Rueben Bain Jr. is a force to be reckoned with at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds. He won 23.5% of his pass rushes last season, creating an eye-popping 68 quarterback hurries and 67 pressures.
5. New York Giants -- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Carnell Tate looks ready to make plays on the outside, like right now. The 6-foot-3 junior thrived with his increased role in 2025. Tate has an eye for the deep ball and is an all-around playmaker. With Malik Nabers recovering from last year’s torn ACL, the Giants could -- and should -- create a dynamic, youthful one-two punch for Jaxson Dart.
6. Cleveland Browns -- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Cleveland’s offensive line situation heading into next season is a nightmare. The Browns are one of those teams that could go any direction, especially with two picks on the first night. Francis Mauigoa could play either tackle or guard from the looks of it at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds.
7. Washington Commanders -- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
David Bailey is super tough to block thanks to his short-area explosiveness and aggression. He was the top-graded edge rusher from PFF last season, and as long as he continues to develop as a run stopper, he has the look of being an impactful edge defender.
8. New Orleans Saints -- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Everyone is mocking Jeremiyah Love to Kansas City, and it makes a ton of sense. But Love is one of this year’s best players. The Saints need a playmaking receiver, but they also need plain playmakers. Love is that. Alvin Kamara will be 31 by next season. The chance to pair him with Love would give the Saints a spark and versatility they have been missing.
9. Kansas City Chiefs -- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
With Love gone, the attention turns to taking another stab at finding a true WR1. Travis Kelce might have played his last game, and they need some playmakers for the offense’s next evolution. Jordyn Tyson had 711 yards and eight scores in nine games last season. In 2024, he had 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Sun Devils.
10. Cincinnati Bengals -- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is one of the best pure players and prospects, full stop. Downs rarely misses tackles, displays a pure level of fearlessness and is no slouch in coverage. He finished ninth in Heisman voting after posting 68 tackles, five for loss, one sack, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
11. Miami Dolphins -- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Dolphins are another team where everything feels on the board. It’s hard to argue against finding help for that secondary with someone who allowed only 14 catches, 165 yards and no touchdowns on 35 targets.
12. Dallas Cowboys -- Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell is the guy I’m mocking higher than most in this first go-round. He has a chance to dominate headlines from Indianapolis with his on-field athletic testing. Howell is a battle rocket off the defensive edges. He needs a ton of work and development as a run stopper, no doubt. But his ceiling as a pure disruptor is hard to ignore. Howell won nearly 20% of his pass rushes. But his work on the ground will make teams look twice.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) -- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Rams have two first-round picks and are getting Matthew Stafford back. They can wait for how the board falls at both selections. Jermod McCoy missed all of 2025. But his work from 2024 was enough to keep him here. If he checks out with medical evaluations at the combine, then bank on hearing McCoy’s name called early.
14. Baltimore Ravens -- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon is a pure receiver. He wins at all three levels despite lacking elite size or athletic traits. But he can get open, and more times than not, he’s coming down with the ball. The All-American had 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 scores for the Trojans in his final season.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles and the Bucs feel like an ideal match. Lavonte David is considering retirement. Todd Bowles isn’t going to let his linebacker group slip. Styles could go even earlier in the order thanks to his size-speed and all-around skills as a pure playmaker. He moved from safety to linebacker while at Ohio State, posting 182 tackles, seven sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and one pick over the previous two years.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) -- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avieon Terrell didn’t post many interceptions (perhaps a problem for a team that didn’t have one last season). But he is skilled, aggressive, gets in receivers’ faces and has a touch of experience all over the secondary.
17. Detroit Lions -- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Give me that beef. Kadyn Proctor fills Detroit’s greatest need and sets them up with the best-case scenario, no matter what happens with Taylor Decker. Proctor is a tackle and should be considered a future tackle. Still, it’s easy to imagine him among the most able of this draft’s top tackle options for their ability to kick inside. He might struggle out of the gates with explosive pass rushers on the outside, as his feet need to get quicker. Proctor isn’t a perfect prospect. But there is so much to like.
Detroit got word of Frank Ragnow’s retirement in May after last year’s draft. Ragnow’s lengthy injury history and tough couple of years battling through the issues should have had the Lions on high alert. But they weren’t and never recovered from Ragnow’s exit as the offensive line was a main catalyst for missing the postseason. Now, with Decker contemplating his future, there is no room or reason to not prepare as if the left tackle is already gone.
Brad Holmes has never been shy about his trust in Alabama, either. Proctor would represent the fourth first-rounder from Alabama under Holmes. The general manager knows and trusts the program for building talent ready for the next level. Proctor fits that mold. Speaking of molds, it’s hard not to get lost in Proctor’s 6-foot-7, 360-pound frame. That said, the All-American tackle is more than just a big body. This is someone who was recognized as one of the nation’s most athletic freaks for his 26% body fat at his size, an 815-pound squat, 535-pound bench press and 405-pound power clean.
Oh, and Proctor apparently had a vertical jump of 32 inches. That doesn’t mean much regarding offensive line play. But, come on, that’s impressive and speaks to the level of specimen we’re talking about. Personally, I love the growth Proctor has shown in pass protection against that level of competition over the last two seasons. Also, his frame sure looks able to develop into a thumping run mauler on an offensive line with Penei Sewell and Tate Ratledge.
Proctor was solely a left tackle by trade during his three seasons at Alabama. But his size leads one to believe that the Lions would require a discussion about moving Sewell to the left side. Sewell can handle anything, so there are no concerns on that side of the equation, it’s just a matter of where they feel Proctor fits best out of the gates.
The 20-year-old behemoth endured a brutal welcome to the SEC in 2023, allowing 12 sacks across 806 snaps. But he continued to get more comfortable and grow, allowing just two sacks in 2025 on nearly 1,000 snaps. If Proctor continues to hone his craft, then he could be one of the names most remembered from this year’s class. Hank Fraley and Sewell would be great mentors to start someone’s career with, and the Lions should consider that when evaluating their next potential cornerstone tackle. Work on Proctor’s technique, get him confident in moving his feet more effectively against twitchy pass rushers, and this could be a hit.
18. Minnesota Vikings -- Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Peter Woods didn’t have the most productive year, with only 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2025. But he moves well at 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, and an NFL coaching staff should feel confident in getting more out of someone with his traits and skill level.
19. Carolina Panthers -- Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald’s run-stop rate of 13.8% was elite. He ranked as the nation’s third-best interior defender and tops against the rush, per PFF. At 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, the junior packs a serious punch while clogging rushing lanes. He’ll find a home in the first round.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) -- Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Cowboys should continue to add defensive resources. Brandon Cisse was one of the nation’s best run defenders at his position last season, and has experience all over the secondary. Cisse is expected to be one of the best runners and jumpers at the combine next week, so take note.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. was a touchdown and big-play machine during the rise of the Hoosiers these last two years. He averaged 21.2 yards per catch in 2024, then came down with 937 yards and 13 touchdowns this past campaign. If Aaron Rodgers runs it back, Cooper could be a demon after the catch on all those short and intermediate routes. I expect his name to be a riser through the next two months of the process.
22. Los Angeles Chargers -- Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Olaivavega Ioane is a pure guard. But he’s an elite one and ready to roll in Week 1. Justin Herbert needs all the help he can get on the offensive line, and Jim Harbaugh should sprint this to the stage for this one.
23. Philadelphia Eagles -- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Keldric Faulk doesn’t have the gaudy pass-rush win rate figures as some of the others going this early. But he’s a great run defender and brings inside-outside ability. Faulk is a stylistic fit for the Lions based on what they have preferred in the past. He’s also a young prospect with upside.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) -- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Ty Simpson isn’t ready to start. And do you really want a quarterback room with three young, unfinished and unsure options (and Deshaun Watson)? When Denzel Boston was on the field, he was ultra-productive. He checks the important size box at an enticing 6-foot-4. Boston used that size well, catching 20 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
25. Chicago Bears -- Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling was the player I went back and forth with the most for Detroit at 17. Freeling is considered one of the more high-upside offensive line options this year. He’s a monster at 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, with more than enough athleticism to work through some of the growing pains. Ben Johnson should keep trying to take that offensive line to new heights after how that improved group boosted the Bears in 2025.
26. Buffalo Bills -- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
T.J. Parker was a big name for this class this time last year. He is having a resurgent period after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. Parker had 32 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and 16.5 sacks in his first two years. He had a career-low 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks last year, though.
27. San Francisco 49ers -- KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
I love this fit. KC Concepcion should pair great with what the 49ers already have, and his skillset should mesh with Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
28. Houston Texans -- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Caleb Lomu probably shouldn’t fall this far. We’ll see how that changes, as he’s currently a popular mock name at 17th. The Texans need all the offensive linemen, and this would be a big hit so late in the first round.
29. Los Angeles Rams -- Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Sure, why not? Simpson has only 15 starts under his belt. But he could learn behind Stafford and get a feel for the offense for however long the former Lions quarterback wants to play. This feels like one of those cases where drafting and developing a quarterback could actually work.
30. Denver Broncos -- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
I couldn’t go without a first-round tight end. Kenyon Sadiq is a supreme athlete at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds. He’s a member of The Athletic’s “Freaks List” for his 41.5-inch vertical and bench pressing 435 pounds. Sadiq turned 51 catches into 560 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
31. New England Patriots -- Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Akheem Mesidor will be a 25-year-old rookie. He was a star for Miami on the way to the national title game with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. Mesidor brings a pocket-crushing style at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, and proved he could win on his own with a 20.8% pass-rush win rate.
32. Seattle Seahawks -- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Do the Seahawks need another playmaking, versatile safety? No, they do not. But isn’t it fun to think about? Nick Emmanwori was a home-run pick for Mike MacDonald in 2025. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would give Seattle another weapon to play around with after forcing nine fumbles at Toledo.