Home Detroit Lions mock draft 2025: We rounded up 52 expert predictions on who they’ll pick

Detroit Lions mock draft 2025: We rounded up 52 expert predictions on who they’ll pick

  • Many mock drafts predict the Detroit Lions will select a defensive player with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
  • Some analysts believe the Lions may choose an offensive lineman or cornerback instead.

The Detroit Lions aren’t on the clock yet, but that hasn’t stopped experts from weighing in.

The Lions have the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24 through April 26.

Lions GM Brad Holmes has already created a reputation as an elite drafter, and NFL experts will be waiting to see what talent he can add to his team’s roster. Many believe Holmes will focus on adding players to the defensive unit, as the Lions suffered from many injuries to defenders down the stretch in 2024.

NFL mock draft 5.0: Detroit Lions stick with pass rusher at No. 28

Many draft analysts believe the Lions will take an edge rusher or a defensive end to compliment star Aidan Hutchinson, who led the team with 7½ sacks in 2024 despite only playing in five games. Others believe the Lions will take a cornerback to further strengthen a steadily improving secondary. And if the Lions choose to acquire help on the offensive side, they might choose to draft more size for the offensive line.

NFL DRAFT HUB: Live NFL Draft news, live picks, grades, analysis and more.

Draft analysts have a lot of differing ideas about what the Lions will do with their pick, and their opinions have greatly evolved over time. Here’s a list of 52 recent mock drafts that have outlined who the Lions might take with their first-round pick in the upcoming draft:

Detroit Free Press

Our Lions insiders Dave Birkett and Rainer Sabin have each focused on the Lions bolstering their pass rush.

USA TODAY

USA TODAY writers have had a similar focus … with one exception courtesy of an AI chatbot.

ESPN

ESPN’s many draft analysts tend to agree with the idea that the Lions will zero in on a pass rusher, though Jordan Reid’s most recent mock draft has the Lions choosing an offensive lineman.

Fox Sports

Fox Sports’ experts were initially all-in on a pass rusher, but Geoff Schwartz has recently pivoted to the Lions taking a cornerback.

NBC Sports

NBC’s Connor Rogers was convinced the Lions would take a pass rusher until his most recent mock draft.

CBS Sports

CBS’ many mock draft analysts all have different opinions about who the Lions will draft.

Pro Football Focus

Most of PFF’s mock drafters have the Lions selecting a pass rusher.

The Athletic

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is one of the few draft experts to have connected the Lions to a Michigan player.

Yahoo Sports

Though they’re unsure who, Yahoo’s Nate Tice and Charles McDonald think the Lions might draft an Ohio State player.

NFL Network

Could the Lions take a wide receiver with their first-round pick? NFL Network’s Marc Ross seems to think so.

Who were the most popular choices?

Here’s a tally of all the players with at least three selections in the above mock drafts:

  • EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M – seven picks
  • EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M – six picks
  • EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College – five picks
  • OLB James Pearce Jr., Tennessee – four picks
  • EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia – four picks
  • OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State – three picks

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