The Detroit Lions have been doing their due diligence on several of the top offensive tackles that are available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler released his latest mock draft, and it included all picks for each of the 32 team’s in the league.
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At No. 17, the Lions stay at their position and chose Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Monroe Freeling.
Mel Kiper Jr. also linked the Lions to the talented lineman in his latest two-round mock draft.
As Brugler explained, “Though he’s inexperienced in areas, Freeling is an ascending player with above-average size and athletic traits. The Lions have short-term options opposite Penei Sewell, but Freeling has the talent to earn his way onto the field at some point during his rookie season.”
At No. 50, Brugler has the Lions landing defensive back D’Angelo Ponds out of Indiana.
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At 5’9 and 170 pounds, some have mocked Ponds in the first-round, given his success with the College Football Playoff champions.
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He recorded a PFF grade of 88.8 overall (8th best among defensive backs), seven interceptions and 31 pass breakups last season.
In several draft previews, Ponds has been compared to current Lions defensive back DJ Reed.
At the combine, the talented defender said he was asked a lot about a play he made against the Oregon Ducks early in the contest.
“The Oregon pick six, which was the first play of the game.” Ponds expressed. “I feel like a lot of coaches asked about this play in the meetings. Every coach really started their meeting off with that play. So, I would say that that was one of them. Just to show my football IQ, how I watch film and study quarterbacks and knowing the ball had to come out fast. Things like that.”
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Some scouts are projecting his skills being better suited as a slot cornerback, but Ponds is willing to play on the outside or in the slot at the next level.
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“I’m willing to play both, whatever the team needs. I’m comfortable at playing both. I played inside in high school. I got the ability to play both, and I can make plays at both. I’m a competitor as well,” said Ponds. “I always look for the best competition, being that I came from JMU to Indiana just to play against the Top competition in big 10. And I’m a winner.
A”ctually, I can count on probably one hand and one finger how many games I lost in my college career. So, I would say I’m a winner, and I just have that winning mindset.”
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Brugler’s Detroit Lions 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft
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Some of the city’s top music stars will headline the new Hart of Detroit Summer Festival set for June 19 at Hart Plaza.
The riverside party is 12 hours of hip-hop music, DJs, gospel karaoke, food trucks and a chance to shop small businesses. Headliners include Detroit rappers Kash Doll, Babytron, Icewear Vezzo, Trick Trick, Bruiser Wolf, Babyfxce E, 1UpTee and more, plus New Jersey’s Fetty Wap and Atlanta’s Boldy James.
The concerts will start at 5 p.m. and span two stages.
“Expected to draw attendees from across the Midwest, the festival blends music, culture, entrepreneurship and community into one of Detroit’s defining summer experiences,” reads a press release announcing the event.
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The festival runs from noon to midnight. General admission tickets start at $75.63 with VIP access ranging $139.49-$239.40.
Tickets and a full schedule can be found at 313summer.com.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
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4Warn Weather – After multiple rounds of severe weather to start the week, southeast Michigan is finally getting a break from the storms.
The break comes after powerful winds, hail, downed trees, and scattered power outages once again swept across the region Tuesday afternoon and evening.
The latest round developed in hot, humid air as temperatures surged into the mid- and upper-80s Tuesday, helping fuel another active severe weather day across Metro Detroit and much of Southeast Michigan.
While hail was reported, damaging straight-line winds were the primary threat as storms raced eastward.
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The severe weather came just one day after violent storms on Monday afternoon and evening, leaving many residents already cleaning up debris and dealing with outages before Tuesday’s storms arrived.
Numerous storm reports were received on Tuesday across Southeast Michigan.
In Oakland County, several trees were snapped at Kensington Metropark near New Hudson around 2:30 p.m.
Additional reports described large trees and limbs blocking roads near White Lake and Keego Harbor, including damage to a camper from a falling limb.
Farther east, emergency managers reported trees and power lines down across portions of Macomb County, including near Washington Township and Stony Creek Metropark.
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Wind gusts approached or exceeded severe limits in several areas. Detroit City Airport recorded a 54 mph gust, Monroe’s Custer Airport measured a 59 mph gust, and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club along Lake St. Clair measured a powerful 76 mph marine thunderstorm wind gust shortly before 5 p.m.
Hail was also reported in Wayne County, including dime- to quarter-sized hail in Northwest Detroit.
Even late Tuesday night, drivers should remain alert for lingering hazards.
Some roads may still have ponding after downpours, especially in low-lying areas.
Utility crews also continue working to clear downed branches and restore power in spots hit by the strongest winds.
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Drivers are urged to use caution overnight and avoid any downed power lines or barricaded streets.
The good news is that a dramatic pattern change is now underway.
After highs climbed well into the 80s on Tuesday, much cooler air is spilling into the Great Lakes behind a strong cold front.
High temperatures on Wednesday will struggle to reach the mid-60s across Metro Detroit, several degrees below the seasonal average of around 70 degrees for this time of year.
Wednesday
High temperatures Wednesday will struggle to reach the mid-60s across Metro Detroit, several degrees below the seasonal average of around 70 degrees for this time of year. (WDIV)
Wednesday will feel noticeably different from the summerlike heat earlier this week. North to northeast winds and cooler air off the lakes will keep conditions crisp through the day, with some communities near Lake Huron staying in the 50s.
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For Tigers fans heading to Comerica Park on Wednesday evening as Detroit hosts the Cleveland Guardians for a 6:40 p.m. first pitch, weather conditions look much quieter.
Temperatures will likely fall through the upper 50s during the game with a light breeze and dry conditions.
Fans may want to bring a light jacket or hoodie after the sharp drop from Tuesday’s heat.
The cooler pattern continues through the rest of the work week with highs mainly in the 60s on Thursday and Friday.
Memorial Day Weekend
The forecast for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend remains a mixed bag.
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Rain chances return Friday afternoon and continue at times Friday night into Saturday as another system moves into the Great Lakes.
A few showers could linger into parts of Sunday, meaning portions of the holiday weekend may be wet at times.
Despite the rain chances, temperatures will rebound into the 70s over the weekend with Memorial Day itself currently looking mainly dry and comfortable.
Monday is expected to feature partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 70s, which is favorable weather for parades, cookouts, and outdoor ceremonies.
After damaging winds and cleanup efforts across Southeast Michigan, many residents will likely welcome the cooler and quieter stretch ahead.
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A police chase that began in Southfield ended in a fiery crash in Detroit early Tuesday morning. (WDIV)
DETROIT – A police chase that began in Southfield ended in a fiery crash in Detroit early Tuesday morning.
The chase began on May 19, just after 3 a.m., when Southfield police responded to a reported car theft in progress. When they arrived, they found three suspects who immediately left the scene — one running and two in a car driving away.
The suspect who ran off was arrested and released to a guardian, police said.
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Police saw the car traveling south on the Lodge Freeway near Evergreen Road. Officers began chasing after the suspect, which continued into Detroit. The car was seen exiting the Lodge at Grand River Avenue before crashing on Southfield Service Drive.
Shortly after the crash, the car caught fire. Both people in the car were safely pulled out and were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries. They were later taken to the Southfield Detention Center.
Details on the suspects were not released.
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About the Authors
Samantha Sayles headshot
Samantha Sayles
Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint.
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Shawnte Passmore
Shawnte Passmore joined WDIV in August 2024 after working at KOVR in Sacramento, California, WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut and KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska.