Pride of Detroit
Taking a closer look at the prospects from the 2025 NFL Draft that have been projected to the Detroit Lions over the past week.
If you’re not familiar with how the Detroit Lions mock draft roundup works, each week we collect data from the latest expert mock drafts published over the last seven days and compile them (with links to the original pieces) in one easy-to-access article. In addition to providing Lions fans with the names of prospects being paired with Detroit, we also provide commentary that points to trends, player fits, and overall team philosophy.
Sigh. We’re starting this back up a few weeks earlier than expected this year. But hey, if you haven’t been paying attention to this year’s draft class, this is a relaxed way to ease yourself back into things.
As always, early season mock drafts are rarely accurate—especially for a team like the Lions who hold pick No. 28—so, don’t get caught up pondering which mock drafter is correct, and instead use this exercise as a tool to familiarize yourself with some of the prospects that may or may not fit what the Lions are looking for.
For example, this time last year, mock drafts had the Lions focusing on four positions: guard, defensive tackle, edge, and corner. However, there were 15 different players being mocked to the Lions in our initial roundup. The Lions did end up drafting a corner, but in the early stages, no one expected it to be Terrion Arnold. In fact, a few mock drafters even pegged Ennis Rakestraw as a possibility in the first round.
It was Rakestraw’s physical nature that urged mock drafters to connect him to the Lions, but as the offseason progressed, it became a bit clearer that while Rakestraw was a stylistic fit, he probably was headed for the second round—which is exactly where the Lions drafted him.
And that is the true value of mock drafts in January (well, all the way through April, really). Take a peak at what people think, learn about some prospects in a fun way, but don’t take things too seriously.
Source: Mason Johnstone (The Draft Network)
“Dan Campbell and the Lions staff have moved mountains to build a winning culture, with a team identity rooted in the trenches. With multiple expiring contracts on the offensive line, drafting for the future is a smart move here for Brad Holmes. While Williams is still a developing player, he has the size and ability to be a starting-caliber offensive lineman in the NFL. An environment like Detroit’s will help squeeze out his potential, and I expect him to develop into a solid contributor down the road.” — Johnstone
Source: J.P. Acosta (SB Nation)
“Lions’ RG Kevin Zeitler is entering free agency, and LG Graham Glasgow is also getting up there in age. Membou can slide in at either guard spot, and...
