The 2026 NFL draft is creeping closer every day. The Detroit Lions own pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft and selection No. 50 overall in the second round.
Here’s a look at the Lions’ full set of NFL draft picks after the David Montgomery trade with the Houston Texans.
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As the NFL draft nears, final thoughts on the pool of prospects are crystalizing. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah updated his top 50 prospect rankings on Wednesday.
Which prospects might be available in the neighborhood when the Lions pick at No. 17 and at No. 50?
Let’s take a look at Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 17 and No. 50 prospects in his updated top 50 prospect rankings:
No. 17 NFL draft prospect in 2026 per Daniel JeremiahDillon Thieneman, Oregon Ducks S
While offensive tackle and an EDGE to complement Aidan Hutchinson are the Lions’ biggest needs entering the draft, would Detroit think about drafting Oregon safety Dillion Thieneman if he’s on the board at No. 17? The Lions have stars at safety in Kerby Joseph and in Brian Branch, but injury issues for each could have the front office looking for a backup plan.
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Here’s what Jeremiah wrote about Thieneman:
Thieneman was a versatile chess piece in Oregon’s defense. He lined up in the box, in the deep half and over the slot. When he’s aligned in the back end, he can anticipate and range over the top to find and play the ball. He has excellent closing speed and takes good routes. He shows a fluid, smooth pedal when aligned in the slot. He’s quick to plant/drive on throws in front of him and he’s a reliable tackler most of the time. He will occasionally fail to break down and have a fly-by missed tackle. Against the run, he trusts his eyes and explodes into the alley. Overall, Thieneman does a lot of different tasks at a very high level. His skill set is highly coveted around the NFL. – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Next five in Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects: No. 18, Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.; No. 19, Clemson OT Blake Miller; No. 20, Georgia OT Monroe Freeling; No. 21, Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson; No. 22, Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
No. 50 NFL draft prospect in 2026 per Daniel JeremiahGermie Bernard, Alabama WR
The Lions drafting a wide receiver in the second round would certainly be a surprise. There’s just too many other more pressing needs and Detroit boasts arguably the NFL’s best one-two punch at receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. St. Brown and Williams were the league’s only duo that each finished inside the top 10 last season in receiving yardage.
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Five players before in Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects: No. 45, Missouri EDGE Zion Young; No. 46, UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence; No. 47, Georgia Tech IOL Keylan Rutledge; No. 48, Clemson WR Antonio Williams; No. 49, Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: NFL.com updates top 50 2026 NFL draft prospect rankings