What’s a pick the Detroit Lions should have—but didn’t—make in the 2025 NFL Draft? Our staff makes their choices.
When looking back on NFL Draft results, sometimes it’s not the decision that a general manager made, but a decision they didn’t make that sank their careers. For example, the New York Jets selected safety Jamal Adams with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft . Adams turned out to be an All-Pro defender and three-time Pro Bowler.
However, the Jets desperately needed a quarterback at the time—although some within the organization thought Christian Hackenberg was the answer. They would end up passing on Patrick Mahomes, a decision that likely haunts the franchise to this day.
It’s unlikely that the Detroit Lions messed up on that scale in the 2025 NFL Draft. They didn’t pick until 28th overall and the chances of passing on a generational talent that late is relatively low—and far more excusable than the Jets’ mistake.
Still, we all had some opinions on what the Lions should do on draft day, and it’s likely they didn’t do everything we wanted. So in the next installment of our Lions draft roundtable, we ask:
What is a pick the Lions should have made in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Previously:
- What was the biggest surprise from the Lions draft?
- Which Lions UDFA has the best chance to make an impact?
Ryan Mathews: Trade up for Derrick Harmon
Harmon was right there for the Lions to move up and grab in the first round after not getting selected in the top 20. His pass-rushing ability, combined with his effectiveness in run defense, would have been a welcome sight for the Lions defensive line.
Al Karsten: Day 2 edge rusher
I won’t re-litigate the TeSlaa trade-up—X receiver was a legitimate need, and defensive tackle was just as pressing as edge—but it still stung to watch Landon Jackson, Jordan Burch, Josaiah Stewart, and even Princely Umanmielen all slide past soon after pick No. 70. Adding a familiar face in Za’Darius Smith, or a productive veteran like Carl Lawson, would go a long way toward easing concerns about the full season sustainability of Detroit’s edge group.
Erik Schlitt: WR Elic Ayomanor at 102
I viewed Ayomanor as a legitimate starting WR-X in 2026, with the opportunity to see the field as a rookie due to his blocking prowess. Isaac TeSlaa likely has a higher developmental ceiling, but I’m not sure the difference between the two players was significant enough to justify the two 2026 third-round draft picks used to acquire him.
Hamza Baccouche: EDGE Josaiah Stewart in third-round trade up
I wouldn’t have minded seeing the Lions use their third-rounder on Josaiah Stewart from Michigan. He’s a bit undersized, but he’s young and has shown a ton of potential; I wrote about him as one of my favorite pre-draft visits . Early third round might have been a bit soon for my taste, but so was the TeSlaa pick, so what do I know.
John Whiticar: WR Elic Ayomanor at 102
I understand the intrigue with TeSlaa: he has rare athletic traits and the added bonus of being a local kid. That being said, Elic Ayomanor seemed like a far better choice. Not only does he have actual X receiver experience (unlike TeSlaa, who was a big slot in college), but he passes the grit check too: a well-liked teammate, an intelligent athlete, and some of the best run blocking in college. Nine receivers were selected between TeSlaa and Ayomanor in the draft, and I think Ayomanor can outperform all of them. Best of all, the Lions would not have needed a trade up to get him.
Jeremy Reisman: EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau in a second-round trade up
Rather than a costly trade up for a developmental receiver, I would have rather seen Brad Holmes get aggressive in the middle of the second round when several edge defenders were available. It wasn’t a matter of Detroit needing a defense end, but more about the likes of Donovan Ezeiruaku, J.T. Tuimoloau, Nic Scourton, and Oluwafemi Oladejo all being there at Pick 43. Maybe Holmes tried—and a trade up in the second round would’ve been pricey—but that felt like the meaty part of the draft, and the Lions let it run dry.
Max Gerber: EDGE Fadil Diggs in the 7th round
Honestly, I’m happy with the picks that Detroit has made this year. But for the sake of this question, I’ll go with EDGE Fadil Diggs in the seventh round instead of Dominic Lovett. This is not a slight on Lovett at all, but I would have rather had Detroit double-down on pass rushers instead of wide receivers. Diggs was a productive defensive lineman for Syracuse and could play both DE and SAM LB if he were to go to the Lions. He went 10 picks later to the Saints.
Brandon Knapp: WR Elic Ayomanor at 102
Ayomanor was taken way later and yes I’m using hindsight for it, but I feel like he would’ve been a better fit for this team and he would’ve been cheaper to get.
Morgan Cannon: G Jonah Savaiinaea
He ended up going earlier than I expected at 37th overall, so I am not sure how the Lions could have landed him regardless. Still, I was sad to see him go off the board. I think Savaiinaea is going to be a productive pro, especially if he lands in the right situation in Miami.