The 2026 NFL Draft has officially wrapped up, and the Detroit Lions have added seven new players to their roster. With their top two picks, the Lions addressed key needs that should help them continue building on their identity as a tough, competitive team.

To get a sense of how the Lions' draft class is being received around the league, The Athletic's Mike Sando surveyed anonymous NFL executives. The responses offer a fascinating glimpse into how Detroit's moves are viewed by their peers.

One exec gave the Lions a thumbs-up, praising their clear sense of direction. "They know who they are and who they want to be," the exec said. "It's about enhancing what they already bring to the table. They needed a tackle. We've all been burned by the Clemson helmet, but Blake Miller is a good player. And I really like Keith Abney."

Speaking of Abney, the cornerback was recently named ESPN's Matt Miller's best fifth-round value pick—and another anonymous exec agreed. "Abney has some scrappiness to him," the exec noted. "He's like a better Mike Hilton. Chippy, aggressive, physical. He can play in the slot and be competitive on the outside despite his size. You'll have to move him around, but he's a good player wired the right way for them."

Not everyone was sold, though. One exec expressed skepticism about the Lions' first two picks, suggesting they may have underwhelmed. "Sewell will be good wherever he plays, but I'm not sure Miller will end up being a tackle depending on what they ask of him," the exec said. "I don't think they got a lot better. Derrick Moore is steady—a doubles hitter. Good player, but nothing dynamic about him."

As always, it's intriguing to hear what rival execs think about another team's draft strategy. While the Blake Miller pick didn't win universal praise, this small sample suggests the overall reaction to the Lions' 2026 class may be more positive than negative around the NFL.