A 2026 mock draft predicted the Detroit Lions will finally find the pass rush help fans have been waiting for in next year's draft.
We are 31 days away from the Detroit Lions taking the field in this year's Hall of Fame game and the team still hasn't taken care of one of the biggest issues they entered the offseason with.
They still haven't brought in somebody to take over their second defensive end spot.
The Lions haven't lacked options at the position. There were some notable names that hit free agency this offseason and there remain a few veteran free agents who could make an impact for them.
Despite all of the options that have been presented as possibilities, the Lions haven't made a move and it has gotten to the point that they were recently predicted to not make a move until the 2025 trade deadline.
A new prediction would have them waiting even longer if it turns out to be right.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes
Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In a recent 2026 mock draft, Pro Football and Sports Network's Joe DeLeone predicted the Lions would draft Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round.
Bain showed off tremendous upside in 2023.
In his first season at Miami, he was named the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-ACC Third Team.
Those accolades came as a result of Bain racking up 7.5 sacks, 44 total tackles, and three forced fumbles for the Hurricanes.
He took a step back as a sophomore. This past season he was responsible for only 3.5 sacks and 23 total tackles.
As thin as the Lions are on the edge right now, it's going to be worse heading into the 2026 offseason.
Marcus Davenport is only on a one-year deal and Josh Paschal is heading into the last year of his rookie deal.
Bain is going to need a big season in 2025 to get his draft stock back on track, but if he can produce he'd be a good fit for a Lions squad that may badly need an edge rusher by the time the 2026 draft comes around.
There is a ton that can change between now and then, but Bain is definitely somebody for Lions fans to keep an eye on during the 2025 season if the team doesn't add an edge in the next month.
