NFL Draft 2021: Start Time, When The Lions Pick

DETROIT — The next members of the Detroit Lions will be known by the end of the week as the 2021 NFL Draft runs from Thursday night through Saturday in Cleveland.

With six picks over the draft’s seven rounds, the Lions will, barring a trade, have the No. 7 selection to take their top player. The Lions also have the 41, 72, 101, 112 and 153 picks in the seven-round draft.

The top five position needs for the Lions have been identified as wide reciever, linebacker, safety, cornerback and offensive line, according to an NFL.com analysis. The Lions finished the 2020 NFL season with a 5-11 record.

The 2021 NFL Draft will be the first chance for Detroit's new general manager, Brad Holmes, and new head coach, Dan Campbell, to put their stamp on the organization after being hired in the offseason.

The Lions are slated to pick Penei Sewell, an offensive tackle from Oregon, with the No. 7 pick in the draft, according to ESPN NFL Nation reporters’ latest mock draft.

The first round of the draft will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday. Rounds 2-3 will follow on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and rounds 4-7 on Saturday at noon. All picks will be broadcast live on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network.