POD Community Mock: Who should the Lions take at 28?

Breaking down several options the Detroit Lions have in the first round of our 2025 NFL mock draft.

The Detroit Lions are on the clock in our Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft. Erik Schlitt has made his pick, but before we get to it, let’s discuss the options available, and see who you would pick in this case.

Here’s a look at how the first 27 picks in the draft have gone:

1. Titans — QB Cam Ward
2. Browns — QB Shedeur Sanders
3. Giants — WR/CB Travis Hunter
4. Patriots — WR Tetairoa McMillan
5. Jaguars — DT Mason Graham
6. Raiders — EDGE Abdul Carter
7. Jets — OT Armand Membou
8. Panthers — TE Tyler Warren
9. Saints — OT Will Campbell
10. Bears — RB Ashton Jeanty
11. 49ers — EDGE Shemar Stewart
12. Cowboys — WR Matthew Golden
13. Dolphins — CB Will Johnson
14. Colts — OL Kelvin Banks Jr
15. Falcons — EDGE Jalon Walker
16. Cardinals — DT Kenneth Grant
17. Bengals — EDGE Mike Green
18. Seahawks — OL Tyler Booker
19. Buccaneers — LB Jihaad Campbell
20. Broncos — TE Colston Loveland
21. Steelers — DT Derrick Harmon
22. Chargers — EDGE Mykel Williams
23. Packers — WR Emeka Egbuka
24. Vikings — CB Jahdae Barron
25. Texans — WR Luther Burden
26. Rams — DT Walter Nolen
27. Ravens — EDGE James Pearce Jr.

Here are some of the top options still on the board that the Lions would consider:

Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins

With the top four receivers gone, this could be perceived as a bit of a reach, but Higgins is a nice fit for the Lions’ WR-X position at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds. Detroit could use a big, strong-handed receiver like him long-term.

North Dakota St. OL Grey Zabel

One of my draft crushes, Zabel plays with violence and tenacity. With the versatility to play all five offensive line positions, Zabel could be whatever the Lions need him to be going forward. He’s also one of the best run blockers in the draft, which will certainly catch the eye of Detroit.

Ohio State G/T Donovan Jackson

Jackson played both guard and tackle at Ohio State, and he has the size and speed to play either at the NFL level. He could compete for guard early in his Lions career, and then potentially slide out to tackle if/when Detroit moves on from Taylor Decker. Replace a Buckeye with a Buckeye.

Ohio State OT Josh Simmons

If Jackson isn’t your Buckeye of choice, Simmons comes with a little less versatility, but could be Detroit’s left tackle of the future. He’s polished as a pass protector, and has the athleticism to get on the move in the run game. However, his season did end with a non-contact knee injury. He believes he’ll be ready for the 2025 season.

Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.

Though a smidge undersized (6-foot-4, 311), Conerly is one of the most athletic tackles in this class, posting top-five results in the 40-yard dash (5.05) and vertical jump (34.5). His tape shows a little “dirtbag” in him, too.

Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams

While Williams is built more like a nose tackle (6-foot-3, 329 pounds), the Lions could still use a long-term answer at that position and Williams brings some spark in the pass rush as well (11.5 sacks over four years). Still, his run defending is elite, and the Lions covet that.

Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku

There are already six edge defenders off the board, but taking EDGE7 would not be a reach given how good Ezeiruaku could be. Though he’s well undersized (6-foot-2, 248) from what the Lions would typically prefer at the position, his 82.75-inch wingspan is huge and that is apparent in the way he defends the run (83.6 PFF run defense grade).

Oh, and he produced 16.5 sacks last year.

Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton

Scourton is a high-motor player with the physicality to be an edge setter in the Lions defense. He apparently played around 285 pounds in college, but was down to 257 at the combine. As a pass rusher, he does a great job converting speed to power, and it resulted in 15 sacks over the last two seasons (10 at Purdue in 2023, five with Texas A&M in 2024).

Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson

Jackson has a ridiculous size (6-foot-6, 266) and speed (4.68) combo, but his play on the field all seems to be about power and strength. That will put him on the Lions’ radar, especially with an 88.8 run defense grade last year according to PFF. His pass rush leaves you wanting more, but with those physical traits, there’s some developmental potential.

Georgia S Malaki Starks

Safety isn’t the biggest need, but Starks may be the best player available at this point. He’ll draw a lot of comparisons to Brian Branch since he played the same STAR position in college and has a nearly identical mediocre RAS. He could play nickel or either safety spot in Detroit’s defense, giving the Lions more versatility on defense and some flexibility when considering extensions for Kerby Joseph and Branch.

South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori

Battling with Starks for the top safety in this class, Emmanwori is taller, bigger, and more athletic. If you’re all about traits, you’re all about Emmanwori:

He’s also got ball skills to match, tallying 16 pass breakups and six interceptions in his last two seasons at South Carolina. The instincts aren’t quite as good as Starks, but he could be a better version of what the Lions envisioned with Ifeatu Melifonwu.

---

Alright, it’s time to vote. Make your pick in the poll below and offer your reasoning in the comment section at the bottom of the page.