The Detroit Lions are already on the lookout for their next selection of future stars after landing Tyleik Williams and Tate Ratledge in the 2025 NFL Draft, as Brad Holmes needs to keep developing stars if he wants to stay on pace with the rest of the contenders in the AFC.
While the 2026 NFL Draft landscape is going to change upon itself dozens of times to the point where early mocks will soon be rendered unrecognizable, the early prognosticators seem t be catching on to Holmes' strategy of taking the best athlete and scheme fit available.
Pro Football Network's 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, which only featured two Lions picks due to Holmes' past trading, saw them land Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the first round with the No. 29 overall pick and Virginia Tech offensive guard Tomas Rimac with the No. 61 pick in the second round.
Rather than picking the best pass rusher on the board, which many fans and casual observers seem to think would be the best move for this franchise, the Lions are once again going to reinforce areas of strength by taking high-end athletes with their premium picks.
Lions projected to pick Georgia LB CJ Allen in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Allen, who is still just 20 years old, recorded 76 tackles and one interception last season for the Bulldogs. With Jalon Walker and Smael Mondon having been drafted by the Falcons and Eagles, respectively, in 2024, Allen figures to earn a role at the heart of the Georgia defense.
The logic behind drafting Allen instead of a defensive end or cornerback is the potential pairing of the budding Bulldogs star and Jack Campbell on the interior. If Campbell is extended long-term, he could team with Allen to give Detroit a high-end linebacker tandem for the next half-decade.
Rimac was named an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 performer in each of the last two seasons alongside 2025 Jaguars draftee Wyatt Milum. Now that his transfer to Blacksburg is complete, Rimac will try to emerge as a star in what is regarded as a very below-average group of interior linemen.
Holmes hasn't always followed the popular media projections when he has to make his picks, and his intuition has helped him land stars like Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta. Perhaps picking athletic gambles like Allen and Rimac could help keep this team performing at an elite level.
