Our staff makes their pick for Detroit Lions 2025 draft pick we’re most excited to see in training camp.
With the NFL Draft behind us, Detroit Lions training camp will be here before you know it. While rookie minicamp and OTAs will give us a taste of the 2025 Lions team, the limitations on practice at that point in the offseason will restrict our ability to scout both the team and individual players.
So if we want to see what the Lions are getting in their 2025 NFL Draft class, the best opportunity this offseason will be when training camp opens up in mid-to-late July.
In our latest post-draft roundtable, our staff picked out which drafted players we’re most excited to see then.
Previous roundtables:
- What was the biggest surprise from the Lions draft?
- Which Lions UDFA has the best chance to make an impact?
- What is a pick the Lions should have made?
- What was the Lions’ best value pick?
Which Lions draft pick are you most excited to see in training camp?
Ryan Mathews: Isaac TeSlaa
Receivers always have the chance to shine in training camp. With all the hullabaloo surrounding TeSlaa after the Lions moved up into the early third round to select him, it’ll be exciting to not only see his impressive athleticism and hands on display, but also the other traits that caught Brad Holmes attention at the Senior Bowl .
Al Karsten: Tate Ratledge & Miles Frazier
The offensive guard battle—featuring rookies Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier alongside veterans like Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany—shapes up to be one of the most talented and competitive position battles Allen Park has seen in years. The Lions have built a rare luxury in today’s NFL: real depth and competition on the offensive line, where competence is increasingly elusive.
Erik Schlitt: Tyleik Williams
I always gravitate to the trenches in camp, and it’s always super exciting to see a young, high-draft pick challenge All-Pro veterans who oppose them. Williams is big and strong, and I want a front-row seat to watch him square off against Frank Ragnow in one-on-ones.
Hamza Baccouche: Tyleik Williams
I’ll go with Tyleik Williams but I’m a bit hesitant. With Alim McNeill still out for the foreseeable future and DJ Reader having been underwhelming, Williams has a pretty low bar to enter training camp as the Lions’ best interior defensive lineman. I’m afraid fans won’t afford him the runway of most rookies because he’ll have to take on that much responsibility from the get go, but then again, he’s a first-round draft pick, and with that comes high expectations. I’ll be watching closely to see whether he can hit the ground running.
John Whiticar: Ahmed Hassanein
On the surface, the excitement of this pick comes from his position: after much demand, the Lions finally added a defensive end! Hassanein looks like a great fit for the Lions, and given the depth chart ahead of him, they will not have to rush him into a large role either. Aside from Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions do not have that many “exciting” edge defenders—players like Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal are decent, but none of them scream “I need to watch this guy in camp.” Hassanein could not only capture attention with his play, but also his personality. Watch his interviews and you will quickly see why he’s destined to become a fan favorite.
Max Gerber: Ahmed Hassanein
This guy immediately won the hearts of every Lions fan with his introductory press conference. Hassanein plays violent, aggressive football but comes off like the nicest, happiest guy during interviews. I’m willing to bet he’ll be the ‘camp darling’ this season for the intensity and effort he brings to every snap he plays. I know he’ll likely also be the cause of a few scuffles between the defense and offense.
Brandon Knapp: Ahmed Hassanein
Trenches battles in training camp are one of my favorite things to watch and seeing him go up against the offensive line will be interesting to see how much development he’ll need.
Morgan Cannon: Ahmed Hassanein
After hearing his initial press conferences since being drafted, I don’t think we will ever have to worry about effort from Hassanein. He was incredibly productive in college, but how steep will his learning curve be as a pro? He should get tested early and often once training camp rolls around.
Jeremy Reisman: Isaac TeSlaa
While the guard battle will be fascinating, it’s just difficult to assess trench play through the muck in camp without the benefit of replay. Perimeter play, on the other hand, is easy to watch and assess—plus I need the most selling on TeSlaa than any other pick. I’m am eager to see in him what Holmes saw, and how quickly the Michigan native can catch on.