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With the first big wave of free agency in the books, needs for the upcoming draft are starting to come more into focus. That means mock drafts will even more fast and furious with about six weeks until the draft.
So far, the Lions have kept a good amount of their own free agents and have added cornerback D.J. Reed, linebacker Grant Stuard and defensive tackle Roy Lopez. So, where do draft analysts think the Lions can go with the 28th pick in the draft? Let's run through some mock drafts to see.
"Aidan Hutchinson's return should rejuvenate a defensive line ravaged by injuries last season, but lingering concerns remain after defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered a torn ACL in December. The 6-foot-4, 331-pound Grant is still learning to translate his rare movement abilities into consistent pass-rush production, but he can make teams pay if they don't double-team him," wrote USA Today's Michael Middlehurt-Schwartz.
"It was a major bummer that a hamstring strain kept Kenneth Grant from working out at the NFL combine, but he's still a massive, super athletic interior defensive lineman with a ton of room to grow," wrote CBS Sports' Kyle Stackpole.
"The Lions' pass rush looks solid on paper, but it comes with a lot of injury concern. I'd like to bump the depth there, not to mention add a player with some insane athleticism. Jackson's got the size and frame to contribute right now and could grow into a fun pass rush partner for Aidan Hutchinson," wrote FOX Sports' David Helman.
"Detroit has an arsenal of picks and dips into the deep defensive line class to give HC Dan Campbell another talented big man IDL to support Aidan Hutchinson," wrote NBC's Eric Forton.
"Outside of quarterback, running back and tight end, it feels like the Lions could take just about any position in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Whichever position it is, you could justify the selection.
"Derrick Harmon has great size at 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds and he’s incredibly versatile. He’s got the desired skillset to play anywhere on a defensive front but seems best suited to play between a 3-tech to a 5-tech in the NFL. Those are the exact players the Lions have shown interest in over the years under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes," wrote FantasyPros and Lions Wire's Russell Brown.
"Detroit's bully mentality faltered down the stretch as injuries piled up for the Lions. Now, their coaching staff has been picked over and plundered. The best way to weather the storm? Pick up a few ideal culture fits for your locker room. Booker's bully mentality certainly fits the bill," wrote The 33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions mock draft roundup: Projections after 1st wave of free agency
Continue reading...
So far, the Lions have kept a good amount of their own free agents and have added cornerback D.J. Reed, linebacker Grant Stuard and defensive tackle Roy Lopez. So, where do draft analysts think the Lions can go with the 28th pick in the draft? Let's run through some mock drafts to see.
USA Today: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
"Aidan Hutchinson's return should rejuvenate a defensive line ravaged by injuries last season, but lingering concerns remain after defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered a torn ACL in December. The 6-foot-4, 331-pound Grant is still learning to translate his rare movement abilities into consistent pass-rush production, but he can make teams pay if they don't double-team him," wrote USA Today's Michael Middlehurt-Schwartz.
CBS Sports: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
"It was a major bummer that a hamstring strain kept Kenneth Grant from working out at the NFL combine, but he's still a massive, super athletic interior defensive lineman with a ton of room to grow," wrote CBS Sports' Kyle Stackpole.
FOX Sports: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
"The Lions' pass rush looks solid on paper, but it comes with a lot of injury concern. I'd like to bump the depth there, not to mention add a player with some insane athleticism. Jackson's got the size and frame to contribute right now and could grow into a fun pass rush partner for Aidan Hutchinson," wrote FOX Sports' David Helman.
NBC Sports: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
"Detroit has an arsenal of picks and dips into the deep defensive line class to give HC Dan Campbell another talented big man IDL to support Aidan Hutchinson," wrote NBC's Eric Forton.
FantasyPros: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
"Outside of quarterback, running back and tight end, it feels like the Lions could take just about any position in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Whichever position it is, you could justify the selection.
"Derrick Harmon has great size at 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds and he’s incredibly versatile. He’s got the desired skillset to play anywhere on a defensive front but seems best suited to play between a 3-tech to a 5-tech in the NFL. Those are the exact players the Lions have shown interest in over the years under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes," wrote FantasyPros and Lions Wire's Russell Brown.
33rd Team: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
"Detroit's bully mentality faltered down the stretch as injuries piled up for the Lions. Now, their coaching staff has been picked over and plundered. The best way to weather the storm? Pick up a few ideal culture fits for your locker room. Booker's bully mentality certainly fits the bill," wrote The 33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions mock draft roundup: Projections after 1st wave of free agency
Continue reading...
