The time has finally come for the Detroit Lions to make their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, which will happen on Thursday night, barring the team trading out of the first round entirely.
That remains a possibility, as the Lions are in a prime trade-up spot (No. 28) for teams that are looking to secure a quarterback at the end of the first round. If so, Lions fans may end up waiting around for nothing.
If the Lions do stick and pick, experts are very clear on what positions they think the team will attack. Those positions include guard and edge rusher, two areas Detroit could use some help at.
With just hours to go before the event on Thursday night, here's a look at what some top draft experts are predicting for the Lions.
Detroit Lions NFL mock drafts 2025
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Kiper Jr.: "The Lions' defense was hammered by injuries last season. Even before the injured reserve started filling up, though, the edge rush depth chart was concerning. Aidan Hutchinson -- who is coming off a leg injury -- needs a running mate. The only other Detroit edge rusher with more than three sacks last season was Za'Darius Smith (four), who was acquired at midseason and released this spring. Ezeiruaku jumped to No. 21 in my recent Big Board update, meaning he'd not only take care of that pass rush need but also do so at value. His 65 pressures led the FBS last season, and he turned them into 16.5 sacks."
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Brugler: "The Lions would love to find another pass-rush option in the first round. They do in this scenario with Ezeiruaku, who’d bring length, rush instincts and a proven ability to sack the quarterback."
Peter Schrager, ESPN: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Schrager: "Johnson's stock has slipped a bit. He had a foot injury last season and was inconsistent for the Wolverines. He also sat out Michigan's pro day because of a hamstring injury. He's a top-level talent, though, and he'd be the perfect corner to complement Terrion Arnold."
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: G Tyler Booker, Alabama
Iyer: "The Lions need to land some key swing depth inside and need to think about the near future at left guard with Graham Glasgow in decline at 32."
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: G Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Jeremiah: "The Lions have done a lot of homework on interior offensive linemen in this draft class. Jackson has been a riser throughout the evaluation process and would be the replacement for Kevin Zeitler. Jackson might not even make it to this pick, though.
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Detroit Lions NFL draft picks 2025
- Round 1, Pick No. 28
- Round 2, Pick No. 60
- Round 3, Pick No. 102 (comp pick)
- Round 4, Pick No. 130
- Round 6, Pick No. 196 (from TB)
- Round 7, Pick No. 228 (from DAL)
- Round 7, Pick No. 244
2025 NFL draft start time
- Date: Thursday, April 24
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wi.)
- Channels: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
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