The Detroit Lions’ biggest need just so happens to match with the 2025 NFL Draft’s deepest position.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes may say he doesn’t draft for need, but in 2025, he may not have much of a choice. The 2025 NFL Draft class is filled with defensive end talent that drives deep into Day 2. And while Detroit could get by in 2025 without adding an immediate impact player at defensive end, the extreme long-term need there is hard to ignore.
Previous Lions draft previews:
- Quarterbacks
- Running backs
- Wide receivers
- Tight ends
- Offensive tackles
- Guards/centers
- Defensive tackle
2025 Detroit Lions draft preview: Defensive end
Under contract: Aidan Hutchinson (2025*), Marcus Davenport (2025), Josh Paschal (2025), Al-Quadin Muhammad (2025), Nate Lynn (2026), Mitchell Agude (2025), Isaac Ukwu (2025)
*Lions are expected to activate Hutchinsons’ fifth-year option, which would extend his contract through the 2026 season
Short-term need: 6/10
Long-term need: 9/10
For 2025, the Lions could theoretically roll with Hutchinson, Davenport, Paschal, Muhammad, and whoever else may win the training camp battle at edge defender and be in a decent spot. That said, it’s hard to have much trust in Davenport given his injury history. The Lions have made it clear they want to use Paschal more on the interior this year, and the rest of the crew has not shown that they can provide much more than replacement-level play. Hutchinson is a beast and should return to his form now that he’s almost in the clear with his rehab, but the floor of this room could use significant raising.
When looking to the future, the need is even bigger. Currently the only defensive end signed beyond this year is Nate Lynn, and that’s only because he’s still on the UDFA contract after spending all of his rookie season on injured reserve. A Hutchinson extension is basically a formality, but beyond that there is not a single player at this position that should be considered a lock to be on the roster in 2026. Detroit needs talent now, and they need it even more for the future.
PFF top-100
- Abdul Carter, Penn State (#2)
- Mike Green, Marshall (#13)
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College (#16)
- James Pearce Jr., Tennessee (#23)
- Jalon Walker, Georgia (#24)
- Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (#31)
- Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (#33)
- Mykel Williams, Georgia (#38)
- Landon Jackson, Arkansas (#39)
- Bradyn Swinson, LSU (#46)
- Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss (#50)
- J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State (#56)
- Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA (#60)
- Jared Ivey, Ole Miss (#62)
- Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (#71)
- Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (#81)
- Elijah Roberts, SMU (#86)
- Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (#92)
- Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (#97)
- Jordan Burch, Oregon (#99)
If you’re keeping score, that’s 20 out of PFF’s top 100 prospects at the EDGE position—or one out of every five.
We’ve talked extensively about plenty of these guys already. Al Karsten has already done nice scouting profiles on Oluwafemi Oladejo, Jordan Burch , and Landon Jackson —who are all probably more so Day 2 candidates than options with Detroit’s 28th overall pick. Erik Schlitt broke down Donovan Ezerieku’s fit with the Lions in his first-round pick in the POD community Mock Draft .
As for other first round candidates, it’s a matter of preference. With six-to-eight guys potentially going in the first round—and very different profiles for each—it’s hard to know which (if any) will be there waiting for the Lions. Only one thing seems for certain: Abdul Carter is way out of their range.
Jalon Walker is a candidate for the Lions’ SAM linebacker position as someone who has played significant off-ball linebacker snaps, but flashed his pass rushing skills over the past two years with 11.5 combined sacks. Mike Green is a tough fit for Detroit for two reasons: he’s undersized (6-foot-3, 251), leading him to struggle in the run game, and with a pair of sexual assault accusations in his past (no convictions), his character will have to be thoroughly dissected. Mykel Williams has the prototypical size the Lions want in an edge setting run defender (6-foot-5, 260, and 34-inch arms) and the violence to go with it. Shemar Stewart has the rare athletic traits that are almost unanimous in today’s best NFL pass rushers, but the production hasn’t followed yet. And James Pearce has a nice blend of size and pass rushing skills, but the anonymous questions about his work ethic will need to be vetted .
Detroit will have plenty of options at Pick 60 and 102. Among my favorite are J.T. Tuimoloau and Ashton Gillotte. Tuimoloau is big, tall and has enough short-area quickness to be a weapon in his pass rush. Gillotte is short (6-foot-2), but is 264 pounds and plays with the type of ferociousness and effort that will make him a good fit in Detroit’s run defense.
It’s also worth noting how much work the Lions have reportedly done researching Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart. He’s likely a candidate at SAM linebacker due to his size (6-foot-1, 249), but he doesn’t off-ball experience. Still, his tenacity and ability to turn speed into power could have him simply as a rotational piece on the defensive line.
Notable Day 3 players
Que Robinson (Alabama), Fadil Diggs (Syracuse), Jah Joyner (Minnesota)
Seeing as the Lions brought in Robinson for a top-30 visit, it’s worth paying a little more attention to him. A definite candidate for the SAM linebacker position given his experience off ball and his size (6-foot-4, 243), Robinson never became a full-time starter with the Crimson Tide. However, his senior year was quite productive, tallying seven tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble despite only playing nine games (and five starts). He was also a four-core special teamer, which could bring some immediate value on Day 3 for Detroit.
Diggs had a virtual interview with the Lions , and has a fantastic blend of size and speed (9.35 RAS ). A three-year starter split between Texas A&M and Syracuse, Diggs had a productive career (32.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks total). He was also a two-time captain at A&M, and plays the physical type of game the Lions would want. But his game needs a lot of technical refinement.
Joyner is big (6-foot-4, 262) an fast (4.6 40-yard dash), but his production at Minnesota was underwhelming (5.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks in 2024). But with that frame and that arm size, the Lions may think they can mold those tools into an effective edge setter.