Open thread: Who is your favorite Day 2 option for the Lions?

We talk plenty about the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. But who are the best Detroit Lions options on Day 2?

The majority of pre-draft coverage surrounds the first round. It’s understandable, as it obviously has the most team-altering talent, and, quite frankly, it’s hard to drum up excitement over players beyond the top 40 or 50.

But NFL general managers can’t think that way. The NFL Draft is a three-day event, and sometimes that special player is waiting on Day 2 or Day 3. Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has proven that there is always talent to be had beyond Thursday night of the draft. Just look at some of the players he’s found on Day 2 and Day 3: Alim McNeill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Derrick Barnes, Kerby Joseph, Malcolm Rodriguez, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, and Christian Mahogany.

So let’s turn our focus to Day 2 of the draft. The Lions currently have the 60th pick and the 102nd pick on Day 2. Today’s Question of the Day is:

Who are your favorite Day 2 targets in the 2025 NFL Draft?

My answer: Obviously, it’s hard to know where some of these players will go. One team’s third-round grade could be another team’s first-round target. But one player who has been consistently given a Day 2 draft grade from media outlets who I believe could be a great addition for the LIons on Friday is Georgia guard Tate Ratledge.

For one, he’s just a Dan Campbell dude, through and through. Beyond his violent play on the field, he was also a captain—and, along with Jalon Walker, received the most votes by his teammates of anyone during the Kirby Smart era .

“What they did with this team in the toughest year of at least my tenure, easily the toughest year, they dominated the room,” Smart said. “They controlled the room. They led the room through hard games and situations.”

I personally witnessed some of Ratledge’s special demeanor when he talked at the NFL Combine about how he defended his quarterback Carson Beck.

“I knew how the way I talked to him would affect him at that time. So that was kinda my goal throughout the season: keep him as level-headed as possible,” Ratledge said. “Carson’s a great kid and very misunderstood.”

On the field, he’s one of the most athletic guards in history:

… and he has the support of two of the people I respect most when breaking down offensive linemen: Brandon Thorn:

… and he trained with Duke Manyweather prior to the NFL Combine.

As a three-year starter at Georgia, he allowed just two total sacks, and he was nearly as effective in the run game. Yes, there are some injury concerns, and he doesn’t have a ton of versatility since he played almost exclusively at right guard, but I think he would be perfect at that position for the Lions. If he’s there at 60, I think it’s a no-brainer pick.

Who are your favorite Day 2 prospects this year?