Scouting season is rolling forward now as college football enters Week 7. There’s a much better feel for the prospects who are emerging as potential Detroit Lions draft targets in 2026.
Here are five potetnial Lions draft prospects I’ll be watching with an eye for Detroit this Saturday.
Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon
The well-traveled Alexander (real name: Keithian) is coming off an impactful game in Oregon’s win over Penn State. His ability to quickly win the interior battle, get into the backfield and disrupt the timing and protections was huge. It’s exactly what the Lions like in their tackles.
Alexander, who started at Georgia before transferring to USC for two years and now Oregon, faces off against Indiana and dynamic QB Fernando Mendoza in a huge Big Ten matchup. Mendoza is crafty, Indiana’s offense uses a lot of quick-hitting, pro-style concepts, and the Hoosiers have a draftable center in Pat Coogan — another guy to pay attention to as a late-round Lions target.
“Bear” fits the Lions prototype at 6-foot-3, 312 pounds and is blessed with great initial quickness and functional strength. Alexander will need to handle concerns about his transfers and up-and-down play, however. He’s likely a 4th or 5th-round prospect, an area where the Lions can look for some depth behind Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams along the defensive front.
Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana
From the same IU-OU matchup, the Hoosiers have a middle-round safety prospect to watch, too. Ferrell is a do-it-all safety with well-honed playmaking instincts. He led Indiana with four INTs a year ago and he’s added three more in five games this year. The Hoosiers moved him from a hybrid role (think Brian Branch in Detroit) to more of a high-safety role (think Kerby Joseph) to play more to his outstanding coverage instincts and ball skills.
It’s working quite well for the 6-foot-2, 203-pound Ferrell–one of the few Hoosiers players who predates coach Curt Cignetti’s arrival. He’s renowned for his leadership and football character, traits that cannot be taught but are requisite for becoming a Dan Campbell Detroit Lion. He’s already on my list as a preferred second-round pick for Detroit…if he lasts that long. He’ll be challenged by Oregon’s QB Dante Moore, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cayden Green, OL, Missouri
The Lions will have scouting representation in Columbia for Missouri’s SEC matchup with Alabama, and Green is worthy of evaluating on the big stage. The 6-foot-5, 324-pound left tackle has allowed one pressure through three games. He missed the last two Tigers games with a foot injury, but big No. 70 is expected in the lineup against an aggressive, athletic Alabama front.
Green played left guard prior to kicking outside to tackle in 2025, and he played it in a style that Lions OL coach Hank Fraley covets–physical, quick-footed and smart. Much like Lions (injured) rookie Miles Frazier, some teams will prefer Green at guard, others at tackle. The 20-year-old would be an intriguing, positionally versatile addition in the middle rounds. Of course, a strong showing in games like this one could elevate the developing Green into a higher Day 2 pick.
Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
The Lions covet players who can line up as both a 5-tech and a Wide-9 DE. That’s exactly how Northwestern deploys Saka, even though he’s undersized to play inside at around 268 pounds. He’s thickly built and doesn’t lack strength or anchor, however.
Saka wasn’t really on my Lions radar until I watched him score several impressive pass rush wins against Oregon. His high-energy, power-to-speed style is reminiscent of Lions 2022 second-rounder Josh Paschal. The Wildcats head to Penn State to play what’s sure to be a chippy Nittany Lions team. Saka’s tone-setting style and his ability to play the run on the way to the pass will get a great proving ground in this one, and the Lions have a seat reserved in the press box.
Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame
I’ll be in South Bend for the Fighting Irish’s matchup with North Carolina State, and the Lions are scheduled to have scouting representation too. Wagner is sure to be one of the focal points.
Notre Dame’s right tackle had a tough draw in the opener, squaring off against Miami EDGE Rueben Bain–who could be the first defensive player off the board in April. Bain got Wagner for a sack and three QB pressures. Since then, Wagner has pitched a complete shutout in pass protection. And he does so with the snarl and mentality that Darren McCarty brought to the Red Wings.
Wagner can play a little tall in the run game, and his hands will need a little polishing from Hank Fraley if the Lions draft the 6-6, 300-pounder in the 100-150 overall range.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: 5 potential Lions draft targets to watch in CFB Week 7
