Following up on my previous article, here is Part 2 of my 4.0 mock draft. In this article, I will recap and break down the picks I made in Rounds 5 through 7. In the first article, I had the Lions selecting tackle Monre Freeling, edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, cornerback Tacario Davis and linebacker Bryce Boettcher. I went defense-heavy early, as I expect the Lions to primarily address the offensive line while continuing to build defensive depth after the early rounds.
Here is a player-by-player breakdown of Rounds 5 through 7, including Pro Football Focus grades and production.
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Round 5: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Allen had an outstanding 2025 season, finishing with an 89.5 overall PFF grade and a 91.3 rushing grade. He carried the ball 210 times for 1,303 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He also forced 57 missed tackles, which ranked 19th nationally, and lost just one fumble all season.
Allen’s production and running style have drawn comparisons to Tyler Allgeier. Over his college career, Allen appeared in 54 games, recording 769 carries for 4,180 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game with 70 receptions for 490 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Detroit addressed the RB2 position by signing Isiah Pacheco, but it was only a one-year deal, which could leave a hole at the position next season. Allen would give the Lions a young, productive runner who could develop into a long-term RB2 option.
Round 5: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Taaffe spent four seasons at Texas, appearing in 53 games. During that time, he recorded 222 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass deflections and seven interceptions.
With the Lions recently adding Christie Izien, I still believe Detroit could target a safety in the draft. There is no guarantee that Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch will both be healthy next season, and additional depth would make sense.
In 2025, Taaffe posted an 88.1 overall PFF grade, including an 89.4 coverage grade and an 80.4 pass-rush grade. He allowed just 12 receptions all season, gave up only 8.3 yards per catch and allowed a passer rating of 54.6 when targeted over more than 600 snaps. His versatility and coverage ability would make him a strong depth addition.
Round 6: Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
Koziol spent three years at Ball State before transferring to Houston for his senior season. Over his college career, he appeared in 49 games and recorded 2,234 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. At 6-foot-7, Koziol has ideal size for the tight end position and presents a large target in the passing game.
The Lions recently signed Tyler Conklin as their third tight end, but both Brock Wright and Sam LaPorta could be free agents next season, making tight end a position to monitor for the future.
Koziol finished the 2025 season with a 75.1 overall PFF grade and an 83.1 receiving grade, which ranked eighth among tight ends. He had 83 targets, the fourth most among tight ends, ran 292 routes and led all tight ends with 65 receptions. He recorded two drops and five receiving touchdowns while playing 387 pass snaps.
Round 6: TJ Guy, EDGE, Michigan
As a Michigan fan, Guy is a player who grew on me over time. Injuries limited his playing time, but he showed flashes of raw talent and upside. Guy is 6-foot-5 and a fifth-year senior who could compete for a roster spot early in his career.
He appeared in 48 games and recorded 66 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and an interception during his college career.
In 2025, Guy posted a 68.1 overall PFF grade, including a 74.7 pass-rush grade and a 65.2 run-defense grade over 325 snaps. He would add another body to a Lions edge group that still needs depth.
Round 7: Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
With their final pick, I have the Lions selecting a quarterback for the first time since drafting Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 draft. Daniels would likely serve as the QB3 and a practice squad player, but his mobility could make him valuable as a scout team quarterback.
Daniels ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and spent six seasons at Kansas. He finished his college career with a 61.5% completion rate, 9,282 passing yards, 67 passing touchdowns and 37 interceptions. He also contributed on the ground with 420 carries for 1,445 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.
In 2025, Daniels posted a 77.1 overall PFF grade. He threw for 2,531 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while recording 18 big-time throws and 15 turnover-worthy plays. He also had 102 designed runs for 316 yards, along with 234 scramble yards, showing his dual-threat ability.
Overall
In this mock draft, I focused heavily on defense early, with the exception of the first-round selection of Freeling. Over the last two seasons, Detroit has struggled defensively at times, while the offense has been one of the most productive units in the NFL. Adding defensive depth and developmental players late in the draft could help balance the roster and build long-term depth while the team remains in its Super Bowl window.