While virtually all mock draft projections have the Lions selecting an EDGE rusher for their first-round pick, Detroit could stun the experts and go in a completely different direction.
Why Detroit Lions Could Stun In First-Round Draft Selection
It makes sense that many experts are predicting the Lions will address their biggest area of need with their first-round pick. This draft class is full of talented defense prospects who could be available late in the first round. If Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku or Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton are available when the Lions are on the clock, either player would be a terrific first-round selection for Brad Holmes . Both Scourton and Ezeiruaku would be a great fit for the Lions. However, even with such a defense-rich class, there are 27 other teams drafting ahead of Detroit eying the same prospects.
Mock Draft Projected First-Round Pick
The highest-rated EDGE players will be off the board by the time the Lions draft at number 28. Most mocks have the Lions selecting Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. as their first-round pick.
Pearce is an interesting choice whose draft stock has risen and fallen over the last two months. Explosive off the line, the rangy 6’5” 245 lb. talent declared for the draft following his junior year. The fastest EDGE at the combine with a 4.47 time in the 40-yard dash, Pearce has the speed and physicality of a top-rated prospect with the fourth-highest combine EDGE score (6.40).
The Importance Of Character In A Draft Prospect
There is no question that Pearce has the talent to justify his early “Top 10” draft projections. However, in recent months, his draft stock took a dive due to “character concerns” and an attitude problem. NFL executives have described him as lazy, immature, and “un-coachable.” That last label is a particularly concerning critique for a Top 10 prospect.
However, his coach at Tennessee, Josh Heupel vouched for him, stating that he’s “done a really good job” and that his football understanding has “grown really quickly and has continued to grow, developing as a man, as a person.”
Holmes’ Success In The Draft
One of the reasons Holmes has been so successful in the draft each year is that he looks beyond the prospect’s obvious talent. Holmes probes deeper, getting to know the individual. Over the years, Holmes and coach Dan Campbell have developed an ideal player profile.
Holmes wants to know what motivates the young man. What drives him? Is he hungry enough to fit the profile of a Detroit Lions player? Would he be a positive force on the team? Is he a future team leader? Is he coachable and could he mentor younger players?
Drafting players with a similar mindset helped create one of the tightest and most cohesive locker rooms in the NFL with a complete absence of diva attitudes or training camp holdouts. Instead, there’s a brotherhood of teammates who bonded with each other in the trenches. They see themselves as a family and have each other’s back on and off the field.
What Holmes Looks For In A Draft Prospect
When drafting Holmes looks at all the factors including whether or not, the prospect would fit well with the Lions. After his due diligence, if Holmes has concerns on a player’s character, it’s doubtful he would risk a first-round pick. Instead, he might opt to go in a completely different direction and stun the experts.
A Stunning Draft Choice
Assuming Ezeiraku and Scourton aren’t available, Pearce likely would be the next highest-rated EDGE remaining on the board. However, Holmes may stun the experts by drafting another area of immediate need. One of the other positions of immediate need in the draft is an offensive lineman. After losing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to free agency, the Lions now have a gap to fill.
Offensive Line Draft Prospect -Grey Zabel (North Dakota State University)
Holmes could choose to draft that position first and wait to draft a quality EDGE player in the second round. If so, there is no better prospect for the Lions than North Dakota State University offensive lineman Grey Zabel.
A versatile athlete who has played center, guard, and offensive tackle, Zabel could be moved around to cover for injuries. With the Lions offensive line in flux right now due to the loss of Zeitler, Zabel’s versatility is especially attractive.
Grey Zabel’s College Career
In keeping with NDSU’s history of turning out superior offensive line talent, Zabel has a solid technical foundation. One of Zabel’s most impressive college football stats was allowing just four career sacks with over 1,100 snaps.
A two-time MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week in 2024, Zabel was voted AP First-team FCS All-American as well as First-team Missouri Valley Football Conference. In addition to his desirable big frame, he earned a reputation as a dedicated and reliable team leader.
Although he had the opportunity to transfer to other schools as a senior, Zabel chose to remain at NDSU to team up with his freshman younger brother at tight end.
Speaking to ESPN afterward, Zabel stated, ”It was a hard decision, but at the end of the day, it was a super easy decision to decide to stay at North Dakota State and play my final year there because of the culture, the relationships you make, the locker room that you established and played with the past four years. You don’t want to leave those guys or leave that program, you want to stick where you started, stay home, and in the end, win the last game of the season.”
His decision paid off when the brothers helped NDSU win the FCS championship. Another reason to remain at NDSU was his role as team captain “It’s something I hold really close to my heart, being a captain my senior year, because it’s one of the biggest honors you can get in the program,” Zabel said. “It’s one of those deals where you just don’t come in and be a captain right away your first or second year, you got to put in the sweat equity and continue to prove you’re a leader in how hard you worked on the field, off the field.
Draft Prospects Strong Showing At NFL Combine
Zabel looked great at the Senior Bowl, dominating as a strong physical presence in both the passing and run game. He had an equally impressive showing at the NFL Combine. Initially projected as a day-two pick, Zabel has been moving up the draft board and is now viewed as a first-round selection. Opting not to participate in several of the combine performance drills, Zabel still scored a respectable 6.36 overall. He ranked first in the combine OT production with an impressive score of 91.
Despite relatively short arms that were noted as a weakness, Zabel displayed great upper body strength and bench pressed 26 reps at the combine. His discipline and strong leadership skills indicate an excellent fit for the Lions.
According to NFL.com ‘s Maurice Jones-Drew, “Zabel has experience at multiple spots along the O-line but could step in as a Day 1 starter at guard.” Zabel is a stunning draft choice who could make an immediate impact for the Detroit Lions as a replacement for Zeitler.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Why Detroit Lions Could Stun In First-Round Draft Selection appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football .