{"id":607021,"date":"2026-04-16T02:19:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T02:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/607021\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T02:19:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T02:19:10","slug":"dane-brugler-drops-detroit-lions-full-7-round-2026-nfl-mock-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/607021\/","title":{"rendered":"Dane Brugler Drops Detroit Lions Full 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking for a mock draft that actually mirrors how the Detroit Lions<\/a> operate, Dane Brugler<\/a> may have nailed it.<\/p>\n

His latest seven-round projection doesn\u2019t just plug holes; it builds a roster the way Brad Holmes<\/a> has consistently shown he prefers: smart, patient, and focused on long-term growth.<\/p>\n

\"Reggie<\/p>\n

Reggie Virgil Detroit Lions Ifeatu Melifonwu Lions reunion NFL rule change Detroit Lions Detroit Lions new uniforms 2026 Lions offseason workouts 2026 Freddie McGee Lions sign Detroit Lions 7-round mock draft<\/p>\n

Round 1 Sets the Tone<\/p>\n

At No. 17 overall, Brugler has Detroit selecting Monroe Freeling.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a pick that lines up with everything we\u2019ve been hearing. The Lions have done extensive work on offensive tackles, and Freeling fits as a high-upside player who doesn\u2019t need to be rushed but could earn playing time early.<\/p>\n

Brugler described him as an ascending prospect with the physical tools to develop into a starter, exactly the type of player Detroit has targeted in recent drafts.<\/p>\n

A Big-Time Playmaker in Round 2<\/p>\n

In the second round, the Lions land D\u2019Angelo Ponds at No. 50.<\/p>\n

He may be undersized, but his production jumps off the page. Ponds was one of the most disruptive defensive backs in college football last season, and this pick could end up being a steal if he translates that playmaking ability to the next level.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Full 7-Round Mock Draft<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how Brugler has the Lions\u2019 entire draft class shaking out:<\/p>\n

Round 1 (No. 17): Monroe Freeling<\/p>\n

Round 2 (No. 50): D\u2019Angelo Ponds<\/p>\n

Round 4 (No. 118): Jakobe Thomas<\/p>\n

Round 4 (No. 128): Caden Curry<\/p>\n

Round 5 (No. 157): Gracen Halton<\/p>\n

Round 5 (No. 181): Dallen Bentley<\/p>\n

Round 6 (No. 205): Gary Smith III<\/p>\n

Round 6 (No. 213): Owen Heinicke<\/p>\n

Round 7 (No. 222): Caleb Douglas<\/p>\n

Why This Class Works<\/p>\n

What stands out here isn\u2019t just the names, it\u2019s the balance.<\/p>\n

Detroit adds:<\/p>\n

A potential future starter at tackle<\/p>\n

A playmaker in the secondary<\/p>\n

Multiple defensive front pieces<\/p>\n

Depth across key positions<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a class built to compete for roles right away while still developing for the future.<\/p>\n

The Bottom Line<\/p>\n

This mock feels realistic because it sticks to what the Lions do best.<\/p>\n

No reaching. No panic picks. Just steady roster building.<\/p>\n

If Detroit walks away with something close to this group, it wouldn\u2019t just fill needs, it would strengthen the foundation for years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you\u2019re looking for a mock draft that actually mirrors how the Detroit Lions operate, Dane Brugler may…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":607022,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[436],"tags":[229105,49,48,190350,3163,148577,191154,514,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-607021","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-brad-holmes","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-dane-brugler","12":"tag-detroit-lions","13":"tag-mock-draft","14":"tag-monroe-freeling","15":"tag-nfl","16":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/607021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=607021"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/607021\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/607022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=607021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=607021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=607021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}