Detroit Lions have choice of DL in Mel Kiper’s latest NFL mock draft

In Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft draft, the Detroit Lions have plenty of high-value defensive line options at 28.

Many Detroit Lions fans are hoping to see their team draft a defensive lineman when they’re on the clock with the 28th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft in two weeks. That’s exactly what they do in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft , but what’s perhaps most interesting is the numerous options the Lions have when they’re on the clock.

Prior to the Lions’ pick, the following defensive linemen came off the board:

• EDGE Abdul Carter (3, Giants)
• DT Mason Graham (5, Jaguars)
• EDGE Jalon Walker (8, Panthers)
• EDGE Mike Green (15, Falcons)
• DT Derrick Harmon (21, Steelers )
• EDGE Mykel Williams (23, Packers )

While six—including four edge rushers—is quite a bit to go in the first 27 selections, in a deep defensive linemen class like this, it still affords the Lions several options with the 28th pick. Most notably:

• Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
• Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart
• Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
• Michigan DT Kenneth Grant

We’ve talked a lot about how Pearce isn’t the greatest fit for Detroit. Outside of vague, anonymous attacks on his work ethic, Pearce did not display the run defending skills that the Lions require in a three-down player. The 17.0 sacks last year are hard to ignore, but his fit is better on other teams.

Ezeiruaku, on the other hand, has a lot of traits the Lions adore—and he had 16.5 sacks last year. While he’s a bit undersized (6-foot-2, 248), his long arms (82.75-inch wingspan) allow him to keep blockers at a distance and stay competitive in the run game. He’s also a two-time captain, checking Detroit’s football character box.

Stewart wowed many with an essentially perfect NFL Combine performance. He’s the premier example of traits over production (4.5 sacks in three years).

Despite the lack of sacks, Stewart has the size and the tenacity to be a strong edge setter in the run game. And with elite burst, it’s reasonable to believe the sacks will eventually come with some fine-tuning.

As for Grant, the Lions’ immediate need for a nose tackle is minimal with DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, and Brodric Martin on the roster, but none of those players are guaranteed to be around in 2026. And of them all, Grant has the most pass rushing upside. Considering he’s already a dominant run defender, getting another interior defender with the ability to get after the quarterback will be tempting. That could also give him some flexibility at the three-tech position, which could help Detroit manage the first month of the season without Alim McNeill.

Ultimately, Kiper went with Ezeiruaku.

“Ezeiruaku jumped to No. 21 in my recent Big Board update , meaning he’d not only take care of that pass rush need but also do so at value,” Kiper wrote. “His 65 pressures led the FBS last season, and he turned them into 16.5 sacks.”

Later in Kiper’s two-round mock, he grabbed NC State offensive lineman Anthony Belton for the Lions with the 60th overall pick. Belton was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Wolfpack, but Kiper believes the massive 6-foot-6, 336-pound lineman would best be served on the interior in the NFL.

“Belton (6-foot-6 and 336 pounds) has played all but 11 of his 2,146 career snaps at left tackle. However, he could slide inside in the pros — and the Lions might opt for that in Year 1,” Kiper wrote.