Taking a closer look at the prospects from the 2025 NFL Draft that have been projected to the Detroit Lions over the past week.
If you’re not familiar with how the Detroit Lions mock draft roundup works, each week we collect data from the latest expert mock drafts published over the last seven days and compile them (with links to the original pieces) in one easy-to-access article. In addition to providing Lions fans with the names of prospects being paired with Detroit, we also provide commentary that points to trends, player fits, and overall team philosophy.
Sigh. We’re starting this back up a few weeks earlier than expected this year. But hey, if you haven’t been paying attention to this year’s draft class, this is a relaxed way to ease yourself back into things.
As always, early season mock drafts are rarely accurate—especially for a team like the Lions who hold pick No. 28 —so, don’t get caught up pondering which mock drafter is correct, and instead use this exercise as a tool to familiarize yourself with some of the prospects that may or may not fit what the Lions are looking for.
For example, this time last year, mock drafts had the Lions focusing on four positions: guard, defensive tackle, edge, and corner. However, there were 15 different players being mocked to the Lions in our initial roundup. The Lions did end up drafting a corner, but in the early stages, no one expected it to be Terrion Arnold. In fact, a few mock drafters even pegged Ennis Rakestraw as a possibility in the first round.
It was Rakestraw’s physical nature that urged mock drafters to connect him to the Lions, but as the offseason progressed, it became a bit clearer that while Rakestraw was a stylistic fit, he probably was headed for the second round—which is exactly where the Lions drafted him.
And that is the true value of mock drafts in January (well, all the way through April, really). Take a peak at what people think, learn about some prospects in a fun way, but don’t take things too seriously.
Offensive linemen
Cameron Williams, RT, Texas (6-foot-5, 335)
Source: Mason Johnstone (The Draft Network )
“Dan Campbell and the Lions staff have moved mountains to build a winning culture, with a team identity rooted in the trenches. With multiple expiring contracts on the offensive line, drafting for the future is a smart move here for Brad Holmes. While Williams is still a developing player, he has the size and ability to be a starting-caliber offensive lineman in the NFL. An environment like Detroit’s will help squeeze out his potential, and I expect him to develop into a solid contributor down the road.” — Johnstone
Armand Membou, RT, Missouri (6-foot-3, 315)
Source: J.P. Acosta (SB Nation )
“Lions’ RG Kevin Zeitler is entering free agency, and LG Graham Glasgow is also getting up there in age. Membou can slide in at either guard spot, and if the Lions want to train him for the eventual move out to left tackle, they have that possibility.” — Acosta
Erik’s Thoughts:
The Lions could certainly be in the market for an offensive lineman, and while both Williams and Membou played right tackle in college, they are expected to have guard range at the NFL level. If the Lions are interested in a tackle/guard combo player with starter-level upside, these two are a good place to start.
Defensive tackle
Tyleik Williams, IDL, Ohio State (6-foot-2, 322)
Source: Seth Woolcock (Fantasy Pros )
“They (reload on the DL) by adding Ohio State ’s DT Tyleik Williams to eventually replace D.J. Reader, who enters the final year of his contract. With five sacks as a freshman, Williams was named a 2021 Freshman All-American. The 6-foot-4, 327-pounder relies on his impressive stature and athleticism to move back interior linemen and collapse the pocket. However, his technical inconsistencies limited him to just 6.5 sacks through his remaining three seasons at Ohio State. Still, the upside is unmatched. Hopefully, sharing a locker room with Aidan Hutchinson, who led the Lions with 7.5 sacks in just five games played in 2024, can help Williams refine his craft and maximize his potential at the next level.” — Woolcock
Erik’s Thoughts:
If the Lions want to bolster their interior, they’ll have a few interior tackle options in this draft class. Despite his 322-pound frame, Williams plays more like a 3-technique than a nose tackle, even though his strengths are in his run defense. He has boatloads of upside as a pass rusher—and has flashed in previous years—but he needs to be more consistent in this area.
Edge Rusher
James Pierce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee (6-foot-4, 245)
Source: Curt Popejoy (The Draft Wire ), Brad Menendez (Draft Countdown )
“The Lions add a talented edge rusher to their defense with James Pierce Jr. He can provide pressure on the quarterback and help improve their pass rush.” — Menendez
Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M (6-foot-4, 280)
Source: Dane Brugler (The Athletic ), Gavino Borquez (Newsweek )
“There should be a few options for the Lions to add key depth at edge rusher late in Round 1. Scourton has mostly Day 2 draft grades around the league, but he projects as a starter because of his ability to wear down blockers with a motor that doesn’t quit — something Dan Campbell (a former Aggie himself) would appreciate.” — Brugler
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas (6-foot-5, 271)
Source: Josh Edwards (CBS Sports ), Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today ), Dalton Miller (Pro Football Network ), Thor Nystrom (Fantasy Life )
“Jackson is a towering 6-foot-7, 280-pound presence with a powerful game. He’s a gifted run defender who sets a hard edge. Jackson isn’t an athletic freak, but he’s turned into a solid pass-rusher because of his length, active hands, variety of pass-rushing moves, and a William Wallace die-on-the-sword motor. The NFL will like that he posted as many hurries in 362 pass-rush reps this year as he did in the 526 over his first two years combined.” — Nystrom
Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State (6-foot-4, 271)
Source: Nick Suss (The Tennessean )
“Sometimes, fits just make sense. Pairing Sawyer with Lions coach Dan Campbell and lining him up opposite star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson is one of those fits. Sawyer has a reputation for being a relentless, high-motor rusher who flashed his game-changing ability with his game-cinching strip-sack and fumble return in the College Football Playoff against Texas.” — Suss
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (6-foot-4, 248)
Source: Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports ), Derek Tate (Pro Football Network )
“Green needs to add weight and power to his game — the rest of his profile looks first-round caliber. The burst and flattening ability are tremendous.” — Trapasso
Erik’s Thoughts:
It’s always good business to add edge rushers, and because the Lions have struggled to find a consistent option opposite Aidan Hutchinson, they’re going to be paired with a lot of them in this year’s mock drafts.
If the Lions want to stick with the same roles they’ve used in the past, Scourton and Jackson have the abilities to play the big end (i.e. Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike) the Lions have used in the past, while Sawyer could play a role similar to what Marcus Davenport did last season. Pierce and Green are not as clean of fits in the Lions 2024 scheme, but if new defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers implements some of what we have seen from the Bucs defensive line do in recent years, they’d be tremendous additions.
Linebacker
Jalon Walker, SAM, Georgia (6-foot-2, 245)
Source: Andrew Harbaugh (Vikings Wire )
“This may seem like a bit of a fall for Jalon Walker, but I feel that teams may feel uneasy about what to do with him. The Detroit Lions will likely play him at edge opposite Aidan Hutchison but also having him get some work at linebacker alongside Jack Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez wouldn’t hurt in maximizing his value.” — Harbaugh
Erik’s Thoughts:
Walker is likely going to end up being in the top 10 of several draftniks big boards, due to his athleticism, play-making, and positional versatility, but he could slide to the Lions due to positional value. Georgia lined Walker up at WILL and on the EDGE (similarly to how the Lions used Derrick Barnes in the SAM role last season) and would make him a very appealing target, if they stick with last year’s defensive roles.
Defensive backs
Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Source: Kyle Crabbs (33rd Team )
“The only cornerbacks under contract for Detroit in 2025 are Amik Robertson and 2024 rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. After giving out some monster contract extensions, keeping the talent cost controlled at one of the other premium positions for the next few seasons via rookie contracts would likely be wise for Detroit.” — Crabbs
Erik’s Thoughts:
The Lions could certainly use more depth in their secondary, and if the plan is to add a nickel defender with positional range, then Barron could get some consideration. Barron mainly played safety and nickel before making the transition to corner in 2024. He also looks a bit more comfortable in zone than man, which could be an obstacle for him sticking on the outside in Detroit, as the Lions have said they want to stay man-heavy.