Mock Draft Roundup 5.0: Lions beat writers release pre-Combine projections

Taking a closer look at the prospects from the 2025 NFL Draft that have been projected to the Detroit Lions over the past week.

With the 2025 NFL Combine set to kick off next week, this week’s Mock Draft Roundup offers fans their last opportunity to check out which prospects are being mocked to the Lions before the big event—including several from local beat reporters.

Officially, the Combine begins on Monday, February 24, but the first real event worth watching will be on Tuesday, February 25 when Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell will hold their annual press conferences. Prospects on-field drills begin on Thursday, February 17, and will conclude on Sunday, March 2.

Let’s take a look at the latest players we’re seeing mocked to Detroit.

Offensive skill players

Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon

Source: Nathan Jahnke (PFF)

“The Lions are set with their skill players and only have Tim Patrick as a priority free agent. Detroit has kept undersized receiver Kalif Raymond on the roster during these last four seasons, but he will be 31 years old before the end of the season. Johnson is the most undersized player in this mock draft and could be Raymond’s long-term replacement.” — Jahnke

Erik’s Thoughts:

A quick note on this mock draft from PFF: Jahnke ONLY drafted offensive skill players. So, with this in mind, that means he’s estimating Johnson as the 28th-best skill player, which would put his draft projection roughly somewhere in the third round. While drafting a Raymond replacement in the third round may seem a bit rich, it does match up with where Johnson is likely to be drafted.

Offensive line

Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

Source: Kyle Crabbs (33rd Team), Ryan Roberts (AtoZ Sports)

“The Lions are a team that will certainly be feeling out some transition thanks to the coaching exodus this offseason. But the best way to keep this transition smooth is to lean into the identity that got the Lions to this point. That identity is a mauling approach to all things — and with an upgrade opportunity over an aging Graham Glasgow and the potential departure of Kevin Zeitler gives the Lions the perfect chance to lock in a long-term asset on the inside in heavyweight guard Tyler Booker.” — Crabbs

Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Source: Matt Johnson and Andrew Buller-Russ (Sportsnaut), Jacob Camenker (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

“North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel is known for his physical mentality and he has starting experience at four different positions. He could be a starter at guard for Detroit in 2025 while waiting in the wings to eventually replace Ragnow at center.”