Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Combine Draft Interactions Analysis

As the 2026 NFL combine drew to a close on Sunday, the last chance to hear form the players and who they have been speaking with in Indy is done. While there will be plenty of contact in the upcoming weeks (Top 30 Visits, Pro Day Attendance, Virtual Visits and Local Days), we have a pretty good idea between the Combine and the All-Star games where the Detroit Lions have been dedicating their resources.

As of today (Tuesday, 03/03/26), there have been confirmed reports that have the Lions interacting with 108 players tied to the 2026 draft. The Grey Manes 2026 Draft Interaction List, which shows every player at every position and every event that the Lions spent time with them. There are additional breakdowns by Offense and Defense/STs to get to a more manageable list.

As far as the combine, interactions are broken down into Informal and Formal Meetings. Each team is allowed 45 formal meetings, and the Lions appear to have used 25 of those formals sit downs, while talking to another 41 kids informally, with a combined confirmed meeting with 76 Players.

Interaction Breakdown

• Combine Formal – Confirmed 25 Formal Interviews

Lins 2026 Formal Combine Interactions

• Combine Informal – Confirmed 83 Informal Interviews

  
  

  

  Lions 2026 Informal Combine Interactions

What does this tell us?

The Lions were busy in Indy, with a confirmed 76 interactions combined amongst the 310+ players present. The first thing that jumps at you when looking at the Formal Meetings is that the Lions spent a lot of time speaking to players at the EDGE and LB positions, probably the Lions No. 1 and No. 3 needs with Taylor Decker back for one more year. Followed closely by TE, OT, CB and OG, all potential hot spots of Lion's needs.

Informally, they met with a LOT of UDFA type players, along with guys that are projected for Day 3 picks. In fact, 43 of the 51 Informal meetings were kids projected rds. 4 or lower, while only 1 kid for Rd 1 and seven in rds. 2-3 held a conversation with the team.

• Positional Breakdown Formal

  • 15 Defense (Shaded Below)

  • 5 Offense

• Positional Breakdown Informal

  • 27 Defense (Shaded Below)

  • 24 Offense

• Projected Draft Position

  • Formal Interviews

    

• Informal interviews