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Lions Draft Miller, Moore; Trade-up Fails, Cut Wright Saves $3.6M

4/30/2026

40 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Lions Draft Picks

The Lions selected tackle Blake Miller at No. 17 and edge rusher Derrick Moore at No. 44 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They tried to trade up to No. 13 with the Los Angeles Rams, but deal fell through after Rams chose quarterback Ty Simpson.
Analysts ranked Detroit at No. 13 after the draft, reflecting the impact of the selections.
The Lions may cut tight end Brock Wright before June 1, saving $3.58 million from his $10.5 million contract.

Summary

Lions Draft Forecast

Mock draft analysts project the Lions will pick Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill at No. 24 overall in the 2027 draft.
Another mock draft envisions the Lions selecting USC quarterback Jayden Maiava at No. 24 and grooming him as a starter by 2029.
Head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard have signaled a shift toward a more versatile defensive scheme.

History

Historical Context

After the Lions finished 0-16 in 2008, they used the No. 1 pick in the April 25-26 2009 draft to select quarterback Matthew Stafford, signing a six-year deal with $41.7 million guaranteed—the most ever at the time. The franchise now repeats that strategy in the 2026-27 draft, targeting Blake Miller and Derrick Moore to spark another rebuild.

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Lions Draft Picks

The Lions selected tackle Blake Miller at No. 17 and edge rusher Derrick Moore at No. 44 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They tried to trade up to No. 13 with the Los Angeles Rams, but deal fell through after Rams chose quarterback Ty Simpson.
Analysts ranked Detroit at No. 13 after the draft, reflecting the impact of the selections.
The Lions may cut tight end Brock Wright before June 1, saving $3.58 million from his $10.5 million contract.

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