After taking care of business on Night 1—selecting first-team All-Grit tough guy Blake Miller and reinforcing the offensive line—the Detroit Lions can now shift their draft focus toward replenishing Kelvin Sheppard’s defensive cupboard, while also keeping an eye on potential reserve additions at tight end or running back.
Detroit is tied for the most Day 3 selections (seven), however, their Day 2 capital is far more limited. After packaging two 2026 third-round picks last year to move up for Isaac TeSlaa, the Lions currently hold just one selection tonight—No. 50 overall, 18 picks into the second round—before a long wait until the middle of Day 3.
That gap makes for an interesting dynamic. It’s hard to envision Brad Holmes sitting still for 68 picks between selections, but as things stand, this exercise focuses on the ten best available prospects when the Lions are back on the clock Friday night. A handful of players have been excluded here, as they are widely projected to come off the board before pick No. 50.
You could argue Scott’s late-season ascension was one of the biggest catalysts for Miami’s defensive surge during its National Championship run. He brings a power-plant level of energy to the field—a linebacker in a cornerback’s body.
Scott is a sledgehammer of a slot defender who changes the math for offenses. His presence would allow the Detroit Lions to lean more heavily into two-linebacker nickel looks without sacrificing anything in run support. He thrives around the line of scrimmage, playing downhill with force and consistently inserting himself into the action.
He produced havoc for the Hurricanes (13 tackles for loss, five sacks, seven passes defended), showcasing a disruptive, do-it-all profile. As a more mature prospect entering his age-25 season, Scott could step in immediately as a starting nickel and serve as an ideal middle-of-the-field complement to Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch when healthy.
Young was one of the potential surprise first-round candidates for the Detroit Lions that I highlighted prior to the draft, and he remains available. He’s a well-built edge enforcer who looks ready for the Battle of Helm’s Deep.
Young is a rugged, physical defensive end who bullied his way to 16.5 tackles for loss last season (2nd in the SEC). He checks all the boxes as a run defender, consistently setting a firm edge and playing with power at the point of attack.
As a pass rusher, he’s more linear and lacks the flexibility to consistently win around the arc, but within Detroit’s defensive structure, that limitation is less concerning. Playing alongside Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, and Levi Onwuzurike, Young’s heavy hands and power would allow him to collapse pockets and force quarterbacks into uncomfortable spaces rather than needing to win cleanly on the edge. If you can’t go around them, go through them.
He projects as an immediate 40+ snaps-per-game contributor, rotating alongside D. J. Wonnum and helping solidify the Lions’ defensive front.
Ponds checks in just under 5-foot-9, placing him right in between Amik Robertson and D. J. Reed from a size standpoint. While that may be a disqualifier for some teams, it’s far less of a concern for the Lions, given how they’ve valued similar profiles.
He more than compensates for any height limitations with confidence, tenacity, and high-end instincts. Ponds is competitive in every phase—striking aggressively in run support, staying connected in coverage, and attacking the football when it’s in the air (39 passes defended in 41 career games).
Although he primarily played outside corner at Indiana, Ponds projects as an inside-out defender at the next level, similar to Robertson. His athletic profile only strengthens that case, highlighted by a 43.5″ vertical (best among cornerbacks at the Scouting Combine) and 9 5/8″ hands—physical traits that should help ease his transition to the NFL game.
Stukes fits the exact mold of middle-of-the-field defender the Detroit Lions covet—fiery, experienced, and wired the right way. A former walk-on turned three-time captain, his path has been anything but linear, navigating multiple coaching changes, a position switch from outside corner to full-time slot, and a 2024 ACL injury—yet continuing to produce at a high level.
He plays fast because he sees it fast (plus a 4.33 40-yard dash). Stukes bursts to the ball and consistently flies around the field, erasing spacing for opposing offenses by closing windows before they fully develop. His ability to read and trigger downhill with confidence stems from advanced film preparation, allowing him to anticipate concepts and arrive early.
Stukes projects as a versatile defensive back who can live in the slot while rotating across the secondary as needed. His skill set and football intelligence would align naturally with what Kelvin Sheppard is building, offering a reliable, high-trust presence with the flexibility to be deployed across multiple roles.
Jacas was one of my favorite edge prospects in this class and profiles as a true tone-setter on the defensive front. His motor runs hot snap after snap, and he has the versatility to align and contribute across multiple spots along the defensive line.
Over the last two seasons, Jacas posted 19 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss, consistently winning with violent, well-timed hands and a technically sound approach to defeating blocks. He plays with controlled urgency—always in attack mode, but never out of structure—allowing him to stay attached to plays and finish consistently.
There’s also a former wrestler element to his game that shows up in how he plays through contact. Jacas operates like he’s trying to pin an opponent to the mat every snap—locking in, sustaining pressure, and finishing through the whistle with physical intent.
He brings a disciplined, relentless edge presence that fits seamlessly into the Detroit Lions defensive line rotation. His versatility, durability, and leadership traits give him the profile of a player who can be trusted across multiple defensive end roles and rotational packages.