NFL draft grades: USA TODAY Sports dissects Detroit Lions' class

NFL draft grades: USA TODAY Sports dissects Detroit Lions' class

The Detroit Lions completed its 2026 NFL Draft class last weekend, adding seven players to the organization.

That group is headlined by Clemsonoffensive tackle Blake Miller, who was selected No. 17 overall, and by Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore, who the Lions traded up to grab at pick No. 44.

As the dust settles on the 2026 NFL Draft, draft grades are rolling in from around the country. USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis shared draft grades for all 32 NFL teams.

The Lions earned the 12th-best grade in Davis' NFL draft class rankings. Detroit's draft class earned a B letter grade.

First-round OT Blake Miller and second-round DE Derrick Moore, a Michigan alum whom the Lion traded up to get, project as Week 1 starters at crucial positions of need. Moore may be a long-term wingman off the edge opposite fellow ex-Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson. This year’s third-rounder was invested in a 2025 trade that netted promising WR3 Isaac TeSlaa. In totality, it might be enough to get a team that will benefit from a last-place schedule in 2026 back to the postseason. - Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Miller is viewed as a plug-and-play right tackle for the Lions. Moore will be expected to provide an immediate spark off the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

Moore led the Wolverines with 10.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season, while Miller surrendered just a 2.8% pressure rate in 2025, per Pro Football Focus.

The Lions also drafted Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder in the fourth round, Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II in the fifth, Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law in the fifth, Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard in the sixth and Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West in the seventh.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: NFL draft grades: USA TODAY Sports dissects Detroit Lions' class