Detroit Lions NFL 2025 Draft Picks • Sportzino

After the best season in franchise history, headlined by a glimmering 15-2 regular season, the Detroit Lions have to hit the reset button and get ready to do it all over again in 2025.

With some of the NFL’s best infrastructure at the core of the franchise, they have a strong starting point as they aim to repeat their performance in the 2024 season with new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Fortunately, Detroit won’t only have the NFL Draft to enhance its roster – following injuries that nearly decimated its defense last season, a wave of returning players will come back.

The Lions won’t be empty-handed as they look to build through the draft, either. With the 28th overall pick and six total selections, there are multiple chances to add to one of the league’s best teams. Read on for the Detroit Lions’ 2025 NFL Draft outlook.

Detroit Lions Needs & Draft Strategy

When you have a roster as loaded as the Detroit Lions roster, the notion of a team need is truly a champagne problem. With the benefit of players returning from injury, the Lions’ roster is low on needs, and they can take a long-term view in adding players. They could, however, benefit from an addition or two at a few spots on either side of the ball.

At the top of the board for the Lions is on defense, where an additional pass rusher would do wonders. With Aidan Hutchinson in place, the Lions have their premier player in place — but need help on the opposite side of him. Despite playing just five games before a broken leg ended his season, Hutchinson still ended the year as the Lions’ leader in sacks (with 7.5) and QB hits (with 17).

Veteran Za’Darius Smith chipped in after a mid-season trade with four sacks in eight games, but he is headed into free agency and his age-33 season. For a team like Detroit, which is likely to play with a lead in most games, a strengthened pass rush could take the team to another level after they finished 24th in total sacks last season.

Detroit’s second most obvious need remains on defense. It is stocked with a perfect safety duo, in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, but more youth at cornerback would serve it well. The Lions allowed the third-most passing yards in the league last year, partly due to a depleted secondary that was forced to start six different corners throughout the season.

At cornerback, Terrion Arnold has a claim to one side, and Amik Robertson provided he recovers from an arm fracture, should stay in the slot. Veteran Carlton Davis, however, could be upgraded to the second outside corner spot.

A third need for the Lions comes on offense, where it is more about going from good to great (or great to downright elite). With Amon-Ra St. Brown occupying the slot and Jameson Williams’ long-term reliability still a bit questionable, an addition at wide receiver would be wise.

Detroit’s third receiver spot was filled last year, with Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond combining for 50 catches, 609 yards, and five scores, but having a reliable, younger option would help an already great offense.

Potential Detroit Lions Draft Picks 2025

With their first pick slated for the back end of round one, the Detroit Lions can look to the second tier of edge rushers in this year’s draft to fill their need. Considering the Lions’ scheme and the philosophy they’ve drafted, a quartet of potential pass rushers stands out as late day one or early day two candidates.

The best scenario for Detroit would be to see Marshall’s Mike Green slide down the draft board due to a talented group of edge rushers in the draft and be available at pick number 28. Behind him, any of Mississippi’s Jared Ivey, Texas A&M’s Shemar Turner, or Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau would be upgrades on the Lions’ current roster.

With Hutchinson in place and a great defensive tackle in Alim McNeil, any pass rusher selected will benefit from consistent one-on-ones.

At cornerback, it’s a safe assumption Detroit’s going to seek out size and physicality, such is the style of its defense. A few players stand out as potential fits in the second tier of corner prospects. Maxwell Hairston from Kentucky is great in size and played in a physical SEC. The same could be said for Texas’s Jahdae Barron, checking in at around 200 pounds. And, not far behind that pair, Mississippi’s Trey Amos checks the same boxes as Hairston and Barron.

With Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown already in place at receiver, it’s safe to think the Lions will seek out a tall, physical receiver who can win at the catch point. Any of Mississippi’s Tre Harris, TCU’s Savion Williams, or Illinois wideout Pat Bryant could fill that role immediately while developing as a secondary target in the Lions’ stacked offense.