Taking a closer look at the prospects from the 2025 NFL Draft class that have been projected to the Detroit Lions over the past week.
With less than a week until the 2025 NFL Draft , we’re delivering our final Mock Draft Roundup of the offseason. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for clarity on who the Detroit Lions will select, you’re going to have to sift through a lot of overreactions to general manager Brad Holmes’ pre-draft press conference to find answers.
Earlier this week, Holmes made a point to emphasis that the Lions are a team that does not draft for need , and will always take the best player available, regardless of what anyone outside the organization thinks.
“I sometimes don’t understand the need thing because when each season ends, it’s going to be something else,” Holmes said. “Another player’s contract is going to end, another player, unfortunately, may be coming off an injury. Like, it’s going to be something different every single offseason. So if you’re trying to chase the what happened last season of, ‘Oh man, this guy’s contract is ending.’ You’re trying to chase. ‘Oh, this guy’s injured.’ You’re just kinda getting into a cycle that I think is a little bit dangerous to get into. So that’s why I’ve been more of a just get the best player.”
It appears draft analysts have taken Holmes at his word. Unlike in recent Roundups where the focus has been solely on offensive and defensive linemen, things opened all the way back up this week—with 21 different prospects being mocked to the Lions over 52 mock drafts.
Let’s take a look at those latest players and explore the likelihood of them being on the Lions’ radar.
Offensive skill players
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Source: Stats and Insights Team (Pro Football Network )
“The Detroit Lions have been unafraid to make unconventional picks, with the shining example being Jahmyr Gibbs going No. 12 overall two years ago. Matthew Golden would raise similar eyebrows, as his speed-based skill set would overlap heavily with Jameson Williams.
“However, strong organizations address needs before they arise, and the Lions may not be able to retain Williams on a $20-25 million per year deal with all their other big contracts on offense. With Aidan Hutchinson also due his own mega-extension soon, replacing Williams’ skill set while also adding receiver depth in the short term might be the most prudent path to keep the offense rolling in the post-Ben Johnson era.”
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Source: Brian Lamb (Draft Countdown )
Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
Source: Marc Ross (NFL.com ), Ryan Fowler (Draft Network ), Bryce Lazenby (Newsweek )
“The Lions take the best player available here as they add to an already highly explosive offense. Ben Johnson isn’t scheming things up anymore (that’s John Morton’s job now), but how hard could it be to find ways to get the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and now Luther Burden III the ball? That’s a fantastic problem to have.” — Fowler
Erik’s Thoughts:
Golden, Egbuka, Burden, and Tet McMillian are the four wide receivers most analysts believe could be selected in the first round. Seeing the Lions mocked three of them—after none in the last few weeks—is a bit surprising, but it’s not necessarily an idea that analysts just pulled out of nowhere.
Not only do analysts have to consider what Holmes said at his press conference, but they likely are also remembering that at the owners meetings, coach Dan Campbell said the team was looking to get younger at wide receiver .
Of the three options above, Golden is the cleanest fit, Egbuka is the grittiest , and Burden is unlike anyone they currently have on the roster.
Offensive line
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Source: John Niyo (Detroit News ), Chad Reuter (NFL.com ), Mike Band (NFL.com ), Michael Fabiano (Sports Illustrated ), Nate Davis (USA Today ), Jared Dublin (CBS Sports ), Cameron Sheath (Pro Football Network ), Keny Weyrauch (Fantasy Pros )
“Booker’s powerful presence would help fill the huge hole left by Kevin Zeitler on the Lions’ offensive line. Though he played primarily on the left side, Booker logged time at left and right guard at Alabama, and veteran Graham Glasgow has started on both sides, setting the team up to find a combination that maintains the strength of Detroit’s top unit.” — Reuter
Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas
Source: JP Acosta (SB Nation ), Jeff Kerr (CBS Sports ), Jack McKessy (USA Today )
“The Lions get a great player in Banks at No. 28, one too good to pass up. While Banks can thrive at tackle, he could become an All-Pro at guard — especially on the Lions offensive line. Imagine him next to Penei Sewell.” — Kerr
Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State
Source: Dave Birkett via Joe Rivera (USA Today )
“I considered a pair of pass rushers at this pick: Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Texas A&M ’s Shemar Stewart, but Lions GM Brad Holmes is a best-available type guy and Simmons checks that box, assuming he’s healthy. Simmons won’t play right away and the Lions have a bigger need at edge, but they can fill that on Day 2.” — Birkett
Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
Source: Hayden Winks (Underdog Fantasy ), Jacob Infante (Pro Football Network )
“He’s the only potential 1st-rounder with an official visit that we know about, and it makes sense. The NDSU left tackle projects as a guard (or maybe center) in the pros, and the Lions have an open spot there for the first time in a bit. It’s been a priority position for this regime.” — Winks
Josh Conerly, OL, Oregon
Source: Emory Hunt (CBS Sports ), Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports )
“Versatility and talent combine to describe Conerly’s game. He’ll give the Lions a starter-in-waiting, as some are getting up there in age along the offensive line.” — Hunt
Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Source: Nate Tice and Charles McDonald (Yahoo Sports ), Jordan Dajani (CBS Sports )
“Christian Mahogany, a 2024 draft pick, looks like he will be the future starter at right guard for the Lions, but I still think the Lions are going to keep adding talent to the tip of the spear of their franchise. Jackson played admirably as a tackle after Josh Simmons was injured, but his best path as a professional is staying inside at guard. While the Lions might prefer a lineman with true inside-outside versatility for a possible Taylor Decker successor, Jackson has the size, power and athleticism to be a needle-mover at the position and will keep the cupboard full for offensive line coach Hank Fraley.” — Tice
Erik’s Thoughts:
Booker was mocked to the Lions more than any other player this week, and while it is likely not a direct result of him landing atop the Grit Index , I’ll be happy to take credit for it. I believe that Booker fits the Lions as well as, if not better than, every other prospect in this draft class, and they’d be wise to grab him if he’s available. But the reality is, at least half of the six linemen paired to the Lions will likely have already been selected—including Booker.
All six would make sense for the Lions in their own unique ways, but I listed them in the order I believe the Lions would prefer them.
Defensive tackle
Derrick Harmon, 3T, Oregon
Source: Sayre Bedinger (NFL Spin Zone )
“There is a lot to like about Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon from his size to his strength at the point of attack, but what’s going to draw the eye of most NFL teams? He led all interior defensive linemen in college football last season with a whopping 55 total pressures and racked up 10.5 tackles for loss on top of it.” — Bedinger
Kenneth Grant, NT, Michigan
Source: Michael Renner (CBS Sports ), Danny Kelly (The Ringer )
“The Lions don’t have any real needs, so they can afford to take best value available. Grant is an explosive nose tackle who can push quarterbacks into Aidan Hutchinson’s waiting arms.” — Renner
Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
Source: Dave Birkett via Luke Easterling (Anthon Sports )
“They have a bigger need at edge than defensive tackle, but if I’m the Lions, I’d prefer to roll the dice on Nolen than James Pearce Jr. with my first-round pick. Detroit won’t have Alim McNeill to start the season, so Nolen would slide into the rotation early and be a fixture as an interior playmaker for years to come.” — Birkett
Erik’s Thoughts:
This trio of defensive tackles have stuck around the Roundup for most of the offseason, and like with the offensive linemen, I have them ranked in the order I prefer. At different points of the offseason, I’ve had each of these prospects atop this group of three, but after competing my evaluations, I feel confident that Harmon would be the favorite for Detroit. His balanced skill set as a penetrating pass rusher and stout run stuffer would level-up the Lions middle of their defensive line.
Edge rusher
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Source: Josh Edwards (CBS Sports ), Field Yates and Mel Kiper (ESPN ), Nick Wright (Fox Sports ), Owain Jones (Pro Football Network ), David Dorey (The Huddle )
“Mykel Williams is available later than many had anticipated. He is the powerful pass rusher who Detroit will likely covet. The opportunity to learn from Aidan Hutchinson should set him up to turn that potential into production.” — Edwards
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Source: Richard Janvrin (Fantasy Pros ), Steve Serby (NY Post ), Daniel Belton (Cat Scratch Reader )
“The Lions have invited Shemar Stewart for an official visit. While he didn’t have much production in college, his explosiveness and violence fit the Dan Campbell mold, especially with Kelvin Sheppard as the new defensive coordinator. They’ll get Stewart on track. Stewart and Aidan Hutchinson are a scary duo.” — Janvrin
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Source: Matt Bitonti (Football Guys )
“The Lions had Aidan Hutchinson playing nearly every snap before he got injured, and no other defensive lineman had over fifty-five percent share. As Hutchinson broke down, that clearly can’t continue. Green is a beastly pass rusher with off-the-field concerns. The Lions are strong enough as a program to take a risk.” — Bitonti
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Source: Kyle Crabbs (33rd Team ), Adam Rank (NFL.com ), Garrett Podell (CBS Sports ), RJ White (CBS Sports ), Ben Arthur (Fox Sports ), Mike Randle (FTN Fantasy ), Tom Rock (Newsday )
“The good news for Detroit is Hutch should be back at 100 percent this season after missing most of 2024. But Detroit will need a rush partner long-term to go with Aidan Hutchinson after moving on from Za’Darius Smith. Ezeiruaku has the potential to be a top-flight pass rusher, and putting him across from Hutchinson should give the Lions plenty of disruption to justify such a selection and lock in this duo long-term.” — Crabbs
Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Source: Jordan Plocher (PFF ), Joe Schad (Palm Beach Post ), Matthew Jones (Fantasy Pros )
“Scourton gives the Lions another young edge defender to pair with Aidan Hutchinson . He has a different body type than Hutchinson, bringing a shorter and stockier build, so the two should complement each other. Scourton earned an 80.6 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024.” — Plocher
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Source: Evan Silva (Establish the run )
“Lengthy, relentless, productive, and highly athletic edge rusher fits the Dan Campbell mold at Detroit’s biggest position of need opposite Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a compound leg fracture last October.” — Silva
James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee
Source: Luke Easterling (Anthon Sports ), David Bearman (Pro Football Network )
“Even before last year’s barrage of injuries along the defensive front, the Lions were already in need of another talented edge rusher to line up opposite Aidan Hutchinson . This year’s class is extremely deep, and could leave a value pick like Pearce still on the board here. He’s streaky, but Pearce has explosiveness and closing ability you just can’t teach.” Easterling
Erik’s Thoughts:
From start to finish, collectively, edge rushers have been the position most mocked to the Lions. However, with no real consensus after Penn State’s Abdul Carter, which edge rusher the Lions might be able to land is anyone’s guess.
I still believe Williams and Stewart provide the profile the Lions prefer in an edge rusher, but it’s hard to ignore what Green and Ezeiruaku bring to the party. In my personal Lions-based draft board, I have Scourton, Jackson, and Pearce another tier down the list and believe the Lions would prefer Williams, Stewart, Green, or Ezeiruaku if given a choice.
Linebacker
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Source: Ryan Novozinsky (NJ.com )
Erik’s Thoughts:
Welcome back, Jihaad Campbell. After being steadily mocked to the Lions ahead of free agency, that frequency rapidly declined after the Lions re-signed Derrick Barnes. However, with Barnes and Jack Campbell as the only two linebackers signed beyond this upcoming season, Jihaad Campbell is likely firmly in the mix for Detroit—I just don’t think he makes it to pick No. 28.
Defensive backs
Maxwell Harrison, CB, Kentucky
Source: Dane Brugler (The Athletic ), Geoff Schwartz (Fox Sports )
“The Lions have been doing their homework on Hairston, who ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine and jumped almost 40 inches in the vertical at his pro day. He might not have the tackling consistency that Dan Campbell prefers, but his cover skills would upgrade Detroit’s secondary.” — Brugler
Erik’s Thoughts:
I think Brugler is the best draft analyst in the business, but it’s difficult for me to get behind him with this projection. Yes, the Lions brought in Maxwell for a visit—he’s from Detroit—but grabbing him in the first round would be a bit unconventional . Not only do the Lions already have four starter-level corners competing for three starting roles in 2025, but three of those corners (Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Ennis Rakestraw) are all under contract for the next three seasons.
And with that, go get your popcorn ready, Lions fans!