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The Detroit Lions enjoyed one of their best seasons in franchise history last year. They went 15-2 during the regular season and earned the NFC's No. 1 seed behind a stellar offense.
However, the Lions failed to win a playoff game after running into a red-hot Washington Commanders team in the divisional round. Detroit's defense, beleaguered by injuries, had no answers for Jayden Daniels while Jared Goff tossed three interceptions in the disappointing defeat.
NFL DRAFT QB RANKINGS: Top 10 players at position for 2025
The Lions followed up their postseason defeat by losing their offensive and defensive coordinators – Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn – to head coaching jobs. Johnson joined the Chicago Bears while Glenn went to the New York Jets, gutting Detroit's staff and forcing Dan Campbell to retool.
Nonetheless, the Lions still have one of the strongest rosters in the NFL. General manager Brad Holmes has done a great job building it up and will give Campbell and his new hires plenty of resources with which to work as Detroit looks to make it to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
Here's everything to know about the Lions' draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:
The Lions have seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
Aidan Hutchinson is among the league's best pass rushers when healthy, but the Lions need to add depth and talent across from him. Marcus Davenport is presently projected to be Detroit's other starting defensive end, but that could change if the Lions can land a player like Mike Green or James Pearce Jr. with their first-round selection.
Kevin Zeitler was great during his lone season in Detroit, grading as the third-best guard for the 2024 NFL season, per Pro Football Focus. He inked a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, so if the Lions aren't sold on 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany replacing him, they could try to draft a replacement. They could also take a player with tackle flexibility who can play guard early in his career before eventually taking over for Taylor Decker.
The Lions don't have a lot of pressing needs outside of the offensive and defensive lines. Two areas they could stand to add more depth are safety and receiver. Tim Patrick has been injury-prone in recent seasons while Jameson Williams has been suspended a couple of times during his career, so that makes receiver a slightly greater need.
Here's what the Lions could do come draft night, according to USA TODAY Sports' Ayrton Ostly:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Detroit Lions NFL draft picks 2025: Round-by-round selections
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However, the Lions failed to win a playoff game after running into a red-hot Washington Commanders team in the divisional round. Detroit's defense, beleaguered by injuries, had no answers for Jayden Daniels while Jared Goff tossed three interceptions in the disappointing defeat.
NFL DRAFT QB RANKINGS: Top 10 players at position for 2025
The Lions followed up their postseason defeat by losing their offensive and defensive coordinators – Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn – to head coaching jobs. Johnson joined the Chicago Bears while Glenn went to the New York Jets, gutting Detroit's staff and forcing Dan Campbell to retool.
Nonetheless, the Lions still have one of the strongest rosters in the NFL. General manager Brad Holmes has done a great job building it up and will give Campbell and his new hires plenty of resources with which to work as Detroit looks to make it to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
Here's everything to know about the Lions' draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:
Lions 2025 NFL Draft picks
The Lions have seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
- Round 1, Pick 28
- Round 2, Pick 60
- Round 3, Pick 102
- Round 4, Pick 130
- Round 6, Pick 196 (via Buccaneers)
- Round 7, Pick 228 (via Cowboys)
- Round 7, Pick 244
Lions 2025 NFL Draft needs
Edge rusher
Aidan Hutchinson is among the league's best pass rushers when healthy, but the Lions need to add depth and talent across from him. Marcus Davenport is presently projected to be Detroit's other starting defensive end, but that could change if the Lions can land a player like Mike Green or James Pearce Jr. with their first-round selection.
Offensive guard
Kevin Zeitler was great during his lone season in Detroit, grading as the third-best guard for the 2024 NFL season, per Pro Football Focus. He inked a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, so if the Lions aren't sold on 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany replacing him, they could try to draft a replacement. They could also take a player with tackle flexibility who can play guard early in his career before eventually taking over for Taylor Decker.
Wide receiver
The Lions don't have a lot of pressing needs outside of the offensive and defensive lines. Two areas they could stand to add more depth are safety and receiver. Tim Patrick has been injury-prone in recent seasons while Jameson Williams has been suspended a couple of times during his career, so that makes receiver a slightly greater need.
Lions 2025 NFL mock draft
Here's what the Lions could do come draft night, according to USA TODAY Sports' Ayrton Ostly:
- Round 1, Pick 28: OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
- The Lions let right guard Kevin Zeitler go in free agency and are relying on 2024 sixth-rounder Christian Mahogany to step up in his place. Jackson could provide insurance for that or a long-term succession plan at the opposite guard spot. Jackson also put up good tape at left tackle in 2024 and could potentially fill in there if need be.
- Round 2, Pick 60: Edge Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
- The Lions' defense was decimated by injuries in 2025, including at edge. Kennard offers a long, twitchy, high-motor presence to the edge.
- Round 3, Pick 102: CB Cobee Bryant, Kansas
- Round 4, Pick 130: TE Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska
- Round 6, Pick 196: Edge Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
- Round 7, Pick 228: RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
- Round 7, Pick 244: WR Theo Wease Jr., Missouri
2025 NFL Draft: Every team's picks
- AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
- AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
- AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
- AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
- NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
- NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
- NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
- NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Detroit Lions NFL draft picks 2025: Round-by-round selections
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