Luka67'S MOCK DRAFT
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Luka67'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON FEB 22, 2026

neal

  • Luka67 DRAFTING FOR THE
    Lions
Draft Selections
Akheem Mesidor Head Shot
PICK: 40 RND: 2 (DET)
Akheem Mesidor
DL-EDGE Miami
Gabe Jacas Head Shot
PICK: 50 RND: 2 (DET)
Gabe Jacas
LB-EDGE Illinois
Julian Neal Head Shot
PICK: 74 RND: 3 (DET)
Julian Neal
CB Arkansas
Keylan Rutledge Head Shot
PICK: 118 RND: 4 (DET)
Keylan Rutledge
OG Georgia Tech
Sam Roush Head Shot
PICK: 155 RND: 5 (DET)
Sam Roush
TE Stanford
VJ Payne Head Shot
PICK: 186 RND: 6 (DET)
VJ Payne
S Kansas State
Toriano Pride Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 203 RND: 6 (DET)
Toriano Pride Jr.
CB Missouri
Nick Barrett Head Shot
PICK: 212 RND: 6 (DET)
Nick Barrett
DL South Carolina
Nolan Rucci Head Shot
PICK: 222 RND: 7 (DET)
Nolan Rucci
OT Penn State
Draft Picks Received
Akheem Mesidor Head Shot
PICK: 40 RND: 2 (KC)
Akheem Mesidor
DL-EDGE Miami
Julian Neal Head Shot
PICK: 74 RND: 3 (KC)
Julian Neal
CB Arkansas
Draft Picks Traded
Jeremiyah Love Head Shot
PICK: 17 RND: 1 (KC)
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
Draft Grade — Lions
Overall C+
ValueC- NeedB+ TradesC- FutureB-
The jury is out on the Lions. For now, C+.

The Lions clearly saw something nobody else did in Gabe Jacas, taking him 46 picks ahead of his grade. The board is not convinced. A weekend of give and take that grades a C+.

They punted on linebacker, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. A small leak at the table, if not a fatal one.

Hit on Akheem Mesidor and the swing picks, and this ages a lot better than it grades today.

Pick Analysis
Pick40 Rnd2 Akheem Mesidor
They went early on Akheem Mesidor in Round 2, Pick 8, and the value did not follow. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Pick50 Rnd2 Gabe Jacas
They talked themselves into Gabe Jacas at pick No. 50, and the board did not agree. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick74 Rnd3 Julian Neal
Julian Neal in the 74th overall pick is fair value, right on his grade. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Pick118 Rnd4 Keylan Rutledge
Keylan Rutledge in the Round 4 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Pick155 Rnd5 Sam Roush
A straight-up fair deal on Sam Roush at No. 155, value and slot in agreement. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Pick186 Rnd6 VJ Payne
A reach on VJ Payne in slot 186; the board had better options right there. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick203 Rnd6 Toriano Pride Jr.
They took Toriano Pride Jr. at par in the 203rd overall pick, which is nothing to complain about. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Pick212 Rnd6 Nick Barrett
This one needs a full-page explanation: Nick Barrett in slot 212, miles early. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Pick222 Rnd7 Nolan Rucci
They left a pile of value on the table to take Nolan Rucci this early at pick 222. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.