2025 Detroit Lions Draft Picks: Preparing for the Future

The Detroit Lions enter the 2025 NFL Draft with essentially the most draft capital they’ve had in current reminiscence. The Lions, who completed 6-11 in 2024, acquired an extra first-round choose within the Matthew Stafford commerce from the Los Angeles Rams, they usually even have their very own first-round choose. As well as, they’ve two second-round picks and two third-round picks. The Lions have a whole lot of must fill, together with quarterback, large receiver, and offensive line. Nevertheless, in addition they have some promising younger gamers on their roster, together with operating again D’Andre Swift and linebacker Derrick Barnes.

With the primary general choose, the Lions are prone to choose one of many high quarterbacks within the draft. The highest quarterbacks on this yr’s draft class embody Bryce Younger, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson. Younger is essentially the most polished passer of the three, whereas Stroud is essentially the most bodily gifted. Richardson is a little bit of a challenge, however he has the very best upside. The Lions may additionally commerce down from the primary general choose if they don’t seem to be offered on any of the quarterbacks on this yr’s draft class. Nevertheless, they’d doubtless want to amass a major quantity of draft capital with a purpose to transfer down.

Within the second spherical, the Lions have two picks. With their first choose, they may goal a large receiver resembling Jalen Hyatt, Josh Downs, or Marvin Jones Jr. With their second choose, they may goal an offensive lineman resembling Peter Skoronoski, Jaheim Oatis, or Nick Singleton. The Lions may additionally use their second-round picks to commerce up into the primary spherical in the event that they wish to choose one of many high quarterbacks.

Lions Solidify Protection with High Choose

The Detroit Lions made a daring transfer within the 2025 NFL Draft, deciding on edge rusher Travon Walker from Georgia with the primary general choose. Walker, a consensus All-American and the 2022 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship Sport Defensive Most Beneficial Participant, is broadly thought to be some of the proficient and versatile defenders on this yr’s draft class.

Walker brings a powerful ability set to the Lions’ protection, with distinctive athleticism, energy, and a relentless pursuit of the quarterback. He’s identified for his velocity off the road of scrimmage and talent to disrupt passing lanes, making him a formidable risk to opposing offenses.

With Walker within the lineup, the Lions hope to considerably enhance their cross rush, which has been a obtrusive weak spot in current seasons. Walker’s presence is predicted to unencumber different defensive gamers, permitting them to make extra performs and create turnovers.

Key Statistics

Season

Tackles

Sacks

Interceptions

2022

13.5

Huge Receiver Duo Added to Passing Assault

Move Catching Choices Bolstered with Two New Faces

The Detroit Lions addressed a urgent want within the 2025 NFL Draft by including two proficient large receivers, bolstering Jared Goff’s passing assault considerably. With the twelfth general choose, the Lions chosen Jalin Hyatt from the College of Tennessee, a speedy playmaker with an distinctive capability to stretch the sphere. Hyatt’s blazing velocity and deep-threat prowess add a much-needed vertical component to the Lions’ offense.

At choose quantity 32, the Lions doubled down on large receiver expertise by drafting TreVonte Citizen from the College of Miami. Citizen is a extremely versatile receiver with distinctive route-running capability and wonderful palms. His measurement and physicality make him a dependable goal in the course of the sphere and a possible red-zone risk.

The addition of Hyatt and Citizen offers the Lions a dynamic duo of large receivers who complement one another completely. Hyatt’s velocity and deep-ball prowess will preserve defenses sincere, permitting Citizen to function within the intermediate and quick areas of the sphere with better freedom. Collectively, they kind a formidable mixture that can pose a significant problem for opposing defenses.

Identify	Place	School	Draft Choose
Jalin Hyatt	Huge Receiver	Tennessee	twelfth Total
TreVonte Citizen	Huge Receiver	Miami (FL)	thirty second Total

Operating Again Committee Enhanced with New Addition

1. Jeffrey Wilson: Explosive and Versatile

Wilson gives a dynamic skillset to the backfield. His capability to burst by way of gaps with quickness and agility will add a brand new dimension to Detroit’s offense.

2. Jamaal Williams: Constant and Dependable

Williams brings stability and expertise to the group. His reliable presence and talent to churn out powerful yards on short-yardage conditions make him a precious asset.

3. D’Andre Swift: Elusive and Shifty

Swift’s distinctive agility and acceleration make him a harmful playmaker. His capability to create house and discover holes makes him a key part of the offense.

4. Craig Reynolds: Bodily and Arduous-nosed

Reynolds is a bodily runner who excels at breaking tackles and punishing defenders. His toughness and dedication will add a gritty component to the Lions’ backfield.

5. Jason Cabinda: Versatile Fullback

Cabinda doesn’t accumulate many carries however performs a vital position as a lead blocker and particular teamer. His bodily presence and flexibility make him a precious asset.

6. Depth and Competitors

The addition of Wilson and the re-signing of Williams bolster the Lions’ operating again depth. The depth and competitors within the backfield will push every participant to enhance, making a wholesome setting for development.

Participant	Projected Position
Jeffrey Wilson	Main Ball Provider, Explosive Playmaker
Jamaal Williams	Quick-Yardage Specialist, Constant Output
D’Andre Swift	Elusive Playmaker, Receiving Menace
Craig Reynolds	Bodily Runner, Objective-Line Specialist
Jason Cabinda	Lead Blocker, Particular Groups Contributor

Linebacker Expertise Infused into the Crew

The Detroit Lions are set to make a splash within the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, with a selected deal with bolstering their linebacker corps. A number of top-rated linebackers are projected to be obtainable, offering the Lions with a possibility to improve their protection considerably.

10. Malachi Harris, Georgia (6’2″, 225 lbs)

Malachi Harris is a flexible and athletic linebacker who excels in each run protection and cross protection. He possesses an explosive first step, permitting him to rapidly shut on ball carriers and disrupt passing lanes. His measurement and energy make him a formidable presence in the course of the protection, whereas his instincts and agility allow him to make performs all around the discipline. In 2024, Harris recorded 78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a couple of interceptions for Georgia, incomes First-Crew All-SEC honors.

Harris’s athleticism and flexibility could be a precious asset to the Lions’ protection. He may play weakside or center linebacker, offering the crew with each vary and physicality. His capability to cowl operating backs and tight ends in man-to-man matchups would even be a significant improve for the Lions.

Participant	Place	School	2024 Stats
Malachi Harris	Linebacker	Georgia	78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions

2025 Detroit Lions Draft Picks

The Detroit Lions are projected to have 9 draft picks within the 2025 NFL Draft. This consists of:

1 first-round choose
2 second-round picks
3 third-round picks
3 fourth-round picks

The Lions’ draft place will likely be decided by their file within the 2024 season. Nevertheless, based mostly on their present roster and projected efficiency, they’re prone to have a excessive draft choose within the first spherical.

The Lions have quite a few wants that they may deal with with their draft picks. These embody:

* Quarterback: The Lions haven’t had a franchise quarterback since Matthew Stafford left the crew in 2021. They might use their first-round choose to pick out a quarterback who can make them success.
* Line of defense: The Lions’ line of defense has been a significant weak spot lately. They might use their second-round choose to pick out a defensive lineman who may help them generate strain on the quarterback.
* Huge receiver: The Lions’ large receiver corps is younger and proficient, however they may use one other playmaker to assist them rating factors. They might use their third-round choose to pick out a large receiver who can stretch the sphere and make massive performs.