Detroit Lions 2025 Draft Grades

Despite a franchise and NFL-best 15-2 record, the Detroit Lions’ shocking 45-31 playoff loss to the Washington Commanders exposed a major weakness. For the team to reach the next level, the front office needed to get busy. Carlton Davis and Kevin Zeitler were lost to free agency, but Brad Holmes signed contracts with 17 other players, including LB Derrick Barnes, S Kerby Joseph , and WR Tim Patrick . After acquiring cornerback D.J. Reed as a replacement for Davis, Holmes added six more free agents. The 2025 NFL draft was the next step. A master of previous drafts, how did Holmes do this year? What are the Lions’ draft grades?

Grading the Detroit Lions’ 2025 NFL Draft Class

Round 1 (28th Overall): Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, DT

Admittedly, Tyleik Williams was a surprise number one pick. However, he fills an immediate need for the Lions’ injury-ravaged defense. The 6’3” 334 lbs. Williams possesses explosive speed and bulldozing strength. In his youth, he was the fastest kid on the field as an oversized running back.

Surrounded by elite talent on the nation’s number one college defense, Williams recorded 136 tackles (27 TFLs for 97 yards), 11.5 quarterback sacks, 10 pass break-ups, and four quarterback pressures. Praising Williams’ power, bend, and agility, Holmes stated, “I do think he’s got a lot of versatility in his game. He has the physical skillset…The thing about it is he’s incredibly instinctive as well.”

The Ringer’s Danny Kelly graded the draft selection an A-, calling Williams a “big-bodied bruiser with a talent for pushing interior linemen back… This is not a flashy pick, but I like it. Williams can be an immediate contributor.”

Tyleik Williams NFL Draft Profile

Lions Draft Grade: B

Round 2 (57th Overall via trade with Denver): Tate Ratledge, Georgia G

Trading up for Georgia guard Tate Ratledge , Holmes found his Zeitler replacement. NFL Analyst Eric Edholm ranked Ratledge No.69 in his Top 100 2025 Draft rankings. The 6’7” 310 lb. two-time All-SEC prospect has the physicality and “dirt bag” mentality the Lions need on their offensive line.

Ratledge’s ‘never satisfied, never quit’ mentality fits perfectly with Detroit’s team culture. Georgia coach Kirby Smart described the former team captain as “special as they come” because of his great leadership skills. Described as an aggressive player who reads defenders well and initiates contact, Ratledge has a high football IQ.

Thrilled to be drafted by the Lions, Ratledge stated, “I’ve always been a fan of coach Campbell…Just everything about the way he runs his team feels like it’s a great fit.”

Tate Ratledge NFL Draft Profile

Lions Draft Grade: A-

Round 3 (70th Overall via trade with Jacksonville): Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas TE

Negotiating a huge trade with Jacksonville, Holmes gave up two 2026 third-round picks in exchange for the 70th overall pick. Moving up 32 spots, the Lions drafted 6’4” 214 lb. Arkansas TE Isaac TeSlaa.

Holmes’ true draft genius is recognizing underrated talent with tons of potential, and TeSlaa could be another diamond in the rough. He first spotted TeSlaa at the Senior Bowl, noting his gritty attitude and willingness to mix it up. “Just his blocking and his size and he was just being a pest, and he was pissing off the DBs and defenders.” He said, “You see a guy that’s big, long, smooth strider, can accelerate, can run. He’s a hands catcher. He plays special teams and can block. He can do a lot of things.”

Deceptively fast for his size, TeSlaa ran an impressive 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the combine . A lifelong Lions fan from Hudsonville, Michigan, TeSlaa recorded 62 passes for 897 yards with five touchdowns at Arkansas without a single dropped pass. Given how strongly Holmes feels about his potential, TeSlaa could become the Lions’ newest hometown hero.

Isaac TeSlaa NFL Draft Profile

Lions Draft Grade: A

Round 6 (171st overall): Miles Frazier, LSU G

Holmes traded with the New England Patriots to acquire LSU guard Miles Frazier. At 6’5” and 325 lbs. Frazier is an imposing physical presence on the offensive line. A versatile athlete who plays both right tackle and guard, Frazier showed consistent improvement from year to year during his collegiate career. Powerfully built and strong, Frazier’s primary weakness is that he’s slow to react. However, he has solid blocking ability and can forcefully clear defenders. Frazier provides the Lions with depth on the O-line as a strong physical blocker.

Miles Frazier NFL Draft Profile

Lions Draft Grade: C+

Round 6 (196th overall): Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State EDGE

Similar to the wait for the announcement that Shedeur Sanders had been drafted, Lions fans held their breath, hoping for news that an EDGE prospect had been drafted. But it wasn’t until the sixth round that Detroit selected Boise State defender Ahmed Hassanein. An Egyptian-born athlete who had limited playing experience until 2023, the 6’2” and 267 lb. Hassanein racked up an impressive 22 sacks, 68 tackles (32 TFLs), and two forced fumbles in two years.

Displaying a high motor and unrelenting desire, Hassanein is adept at getting to the quarterback. Initially slow off the snap, he ran a 4.77 40-yard dash at the combine. While he lacks technique, that is likely due to his lack of experience and can be overcome with coaching and training. A raw talent, described as having “grit,” he will need time to develop but has the potential to become a real boost to the Lions’ defense.

Ahmed Hassanein NFL Draft Profile

Lions Draft Grade: B-

Round 7 (228th overall): Dan Jackson, Georgia S

5’11” 194 lb. Georgia safety Dan Jackson displays a talent for route running. He smoothly transitions to pursue receivers and break up passes. Although he has the impressive speed and aggression of a defender, he lacks the finesse and hand control to avoid drawing penalties in coverage.

However, if he can improve his stamina with proper conditioning, Jackson might have another avenue of success. After displaying impressive speed at Georgia’s pro day, he might be more effective as a special-teams player and punt-return specialist for the Lions.

Dan Jackson NFL Draft Profile

Lions Draft Grade: C-

Round 7 (244th overall): Dominic Lovett, Georgia WR

For the Lions’ final selection of the 2025 draft, Holmes chose wide receiver Dominic Lovett. The 5’10” 187 lb. Lovett transferred from Missouri and spent the last two seasons at Georgia. The move improved his game, and he hauled in 59 receptions for 607 yards with six touchdowns. Although undersized for an outside receiver, Lovett has impressive speed and ran a 4.40 at the combine. Projected to be a productive slot receiver, Lovett could become a nice addition to the Lions’ receiver room.

Dominic Lovett NFL Draft Profile