NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, one of the more respected draft analysts and talent evaluators in NFL circles, released his Mock Draft 2.0 this week and took part in a national conference call on Thursday to talk everything NFL Draft ahead of next week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
At. No. 17 overall, Jeremiah mocked Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker to the Lions.
"Parker had an underwhelming 2025 season, but he bounced back in a big way at the Senior Bowl. I think he's climbing draft boards once again," Jeremiah wrote.
Parker (6-3, 260) posted 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles in 2024 but saw his numbers dip to 5.0 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 12 games this past season.
This is a nice class of edge rushers overall with eight players landing on Jeremiah's initial list of the Top 50 players led by Ohio State's Arvell Reese as his No. 3 overall prospect.
View photos of NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's first ranking of his Top 50 prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 1 QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
No. 2 RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
No. 3 EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
No. 4 EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
No. 5 LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
No. 6 EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
No. 7 WR Makai Lemon, USC
No. 8 CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
No. 9 WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
No. 10 S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
No. 11 OL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
No. 12 OT Spencer Fano, Utah
No. 13 OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
No. 14 CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
No. 15 WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
No. 16 CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
No. 17 EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
No. 18 EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
No. 19 S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
No. 20 WR Denzel Boston, Washington
No. 21 TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
No. 22 LB CJ Allen, Georgia
No. 23 OT Blake Miller, Clemson
No. 24 OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
No. 25 S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
No. 26 DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
No. 27 EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
No. 28 OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
No. 29 OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
No. 30 CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
No. 31 CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
No. 32 WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
No. 33 DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
No. 34 DT Peter Woods, Clemson
No. 35 EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
No. 36 WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
No. 37 DT Christen Miller, Georgia
No. 38 EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
No. 39 DT Caleb Banks, Florida
No. 40 QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
No. 41 OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
No. 42 LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
No. 43 RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
No. 44 WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
No. 45 WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
No. 46 WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma
No. 47 LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
No. 48 WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
No. 49 OL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
No. 50 WR Chris Bell, Louisville
"It's another exciting class with some of the strengths really being along the defensive line, particularly the edge rushers," Jeremiah said Thursday.
The Lions return All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson, who had a career-high 14.5 sacks last season and is one of the best edge players in the NFL, but they could lose Al-Quadin Muhammad and his 11.0 sacks from last season as he's headed toward unrestricted free agency. Josh Paschal and Ahmed Hassanein are under contract next season on the edge, but Detroit could certainly look to free agency or the draft - or both - to help supplement the other edge spot opposite Hutchinson.
Jeremiah said the edge talent is so deep in this draft that teams will be able to get starters well into Day 2 if they go another route in the first round.
"I think it's a really good group," Jeremiah said of this year's edge class, with Reese, David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) his top three.
Jeremiah also touched on a number of other topics, as follows –
On Detroit potentially taking an OT at No. 17: "Sounds like they've been doing a lot of homework on free agent tackles," Jeremiah said of Detroit. "We'll see what happens with (Taylor) Decker, but it feels like there could definitely be a need there.
"When you're looking at pick No. 17, Monroe Freeling (Georgia) makes a lot of sense there as someone who's kind of got the excellent size. There's some torque and physicality and aggressiveness in the way he plays.
"I like Blake Miller (Clemson) a lot. I would imagine the fact he's got 54 starts and is a high school wrestler with 35-inch arms; he's going to bench over 30 (reps) and probably jump over 30 (inches). I would imagine that would be popular and highly thought of in that room for the kind of stuff (Detroit) values. Those two guys to me would make a lot of sense."
On fits at edge rusher for Detroit at No. 17: He mocked Parker at No. 17, but he also said Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), Akheem Mesidor (Miami) and R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma) would fit because Detroit seems to prioritize explosiveness and physicality with the players they select in the draft.
On the centers available in this class: He answered the question about centers in the draft by first joking that if he could have any other job right now, he'd like to be Baltimore center Tyler Linderbaum's agent as he heads to free agency. Jeremiah said there's a robust market for Linderbaum's services in free agency.
In terms of getting a center in the draft, Jeremiah listed three players he thinks could go somewhere in Day 2 who can step in and start right away: Sam Hecht (Kansas State), Jake Slaughter (Florida) and Trey Zuhn III (Texas A&M).
View photos of Detroit Lions players at the NFL Scouting Combine.
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State offensive lineman Taylor Decker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Temple defensive back Rock Ya-Sin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State defensive back D.J. Reed runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs a drill during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU defensive back Jalen Mills runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
LSU offensive lineman Miles Frazier runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan offensive lineman Graham Glasgow runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College offensive lineman Christian Mahogany runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah defensive back Sione Vaki runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa tight end Sam Laporta runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Mississippi State linebacker Tyrus Wheat runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (31) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma State defensive lineman Tyler Lacy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (31) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (28) participates in the broad jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Pittsburgh defensive back Avonte Maddox participates in the Broad Jump at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Memphis defensive back Arthur Maulet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
On the safety class and finding do-it-all players at the position: Teams are always on the lookout for players at safety who can do it all (cover, tackle, blitz, create turnovers, play in box) like Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton and Detroit's Brian Branch. Jeremiah is really high on his top three safety prospects in this year's class: Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) and Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) – saying they're not just his top three safety prospects but three of his favorite players in the entire draft who fit that Hamilton/Branch mold as players who can step in and fill a lot of different roles for a team.
On the CB class: He's really high on the players who fit more in the slot in this class, saying this is the best nickel corner class he's seen in a number of years with players like Avieon Terrell (Clemson), Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina), Keionte Scott (Miami) and D'Angelo Ponds (Indiana) being able to step in and help right away. Detroit could be on the lookout for a nickel cornerback with Amik Robertson headed toward free agency.
