Detroit Lions 2026 draft picks update after David Montgomery trade

The Detroit Lions have an extra pick in the 2026 NFL Draft as a result of a splashy trade.

The Lionstraded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a 2026 fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs on Monday, March 2. The trade gives the Lions nearly $2 million in salary-cap relief heading to the March 11 deadline and, more impactfully, two future draft picks.

That gives the Lions potentially nine draft picks for 2026, including a compensatory pick projected to be a fifth-rounder, according to OverTheCap's Nick Korte.

After the Lions finished 9-8 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022, they own the No. 17 overall selection in the first round of the upcoming draft. The Lions also own their own second-round pick at No. 50 overall, but traded both of their third-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars to draft receiver Isaac TeSlaa last April.

Here's the Lions' updated draft pick situation after the Montgomery trade, and the NFL draft order for the first round.

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How many picks do Lions have in 2026 NFL Draft?

As of Tuesday, March 3, the Lions have at least eight draft picks coming in 2026 and likely a ninth with the compensatory pick from losing offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler to free agency ahead of the 2025 season.

• Round 1: No. 17.
• Round 2: No. 50.
• Round 4: No. 118.
• Round 4: No. 128 (from Houston).
• Round 5: No. 155.
• Round 5: Potential compensatory pick, TBD.
• Round 6: No. 187 (from Cleveland).
• Round 6: No. 204 (from Jacksonville).
• Round 7: No. 222 (from Cleveland).

The Lions traded both of their 2026 third-rounders, including a comp pick for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn getting hired as a head coach, to trade up for receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the 2025 draft. The Lions have an extra sixth-round pick from the TeSlaa trade with Jacksonville.

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NFL draft first round order 2026 

1. Las Vegas Raiders.
2. New York Jets.
3. Arizona Cardinals.
4. Tennessee Titans.
5. New York Giants.
6. Cleveland Browns.
7. Washington Commanders.
8. New Orleans Saints.
9. Kansas City Chiefs.
10. Cincinnati Bengals.
11. Miami Dolphins.
12. Dallas Cowboys.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons).
14. Baltimore Ravens.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts).
17. Detroit Lions.
18. Minnesota Vikings.
19. Carolina Panthers.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers).
21. Pittsburgh Steelers.
22. Los Angeles Chargers.
23. Philadelphia Eagles.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars).
25. Chicago Bears.
26. Buffalo Bills.
27. San Francisco 49ers.
28. Houston Texans.
29. Los Angeles Rams.
30. Denver Broncos.
31. New England Patriots.
32. Seattle Seahawks.

Where is the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft location is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Steelers, at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. The 2025 draft was in Green Bay.

When is the 2026 NFL Draft?

This year's draft is scheduled for April 23-25 (Thursday-Saturday).

2027 NFL Draft location

Next season's draft will be in the nation's capital, Washington DC.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions 2026 draft picks updated after trade with Houston Texans