Building From Within: Lions’ 2025 Seven-Round Mock Draft Focuses on Expanding the Nucleus of an Indigenous Super Bowl Contender
The Detroit Lions are no longer a punchline. They’re no longer stuck in the past, weighed down by decades of losing. Under the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, the Lions have rebranded themselves as gritty, fearless contenders built on blue-collar effort and smart, sustainable roster construction. After reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2024 and falling just short of the Super Bowl, the Lions now head into the 2025 NFL Draft with a very specific mission: expand and solidify the indigenous core of a roster built to contend for years.
Rather than chasing splashy, short-term fixes or falling victim to draft-day theatrics, this Lions front office is committed to enhancing what they’ve already built — a physical, fast, and fundamentally sound team. With a mix of established stars, ascending talent, and strategic needs, this seven-round mock draft prioritizes homegrown development over high-risk gambles.
Let’s break down the Lions’ seven-round mock draft for 2025, with a focus on selecting players who align with Detroit’s identity and long-term vision.
Round 1, Pick 30: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
With a late first-round pick thanks to their playoff success, the Lions opt for a rugged, physical guard to anchor the interior of the offensive line. Tyler Booker brings SEC pedigree, versatility, and ferocity — exactly the traits Detroit covets in the trenches.
Booker could immediately compete at right guard, giving Detroit flexibility as they manage veteran contracts and possible future cap challenges. Booker plays with excellent hand placement and leverage, and he finishes blocks with the kind of nasty streak that Dan Campbell loves.
Fit: Detroit’s offensive line is already one of the league’s best, but with Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow both in contract years, this move ensures continued dominance in the trenches.
Round 2, Pick 62: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
Cornerback depth remains a priority despite offseason moves, and Kris Abrams-Draine gives Detroit a twitchy, instinctual cover man who can play inside or outside. After a strong showing in the SEC and during Senior Bowl practices, Abrams-Draine has the tools to thrive in Aaron Glenn’s scheme.
He excels in zone coverage but has the hips and reaction time to stay sticky in man. With Emmanuel Moseley recovering and aging veterans like Carlton Davis on the roster, Abrams-Draine offers youth, upside, and schematic versatility.
Fit: Adds long-term depth and upside at a position that was shaky in 2023, helping to fortify a defense that’s nearly complete.
Round 3, Pick 96: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
The Lions are in a good place with Jahmyr Gibbs as their dynamic weapon, but with David Montgomery’s workload rising and injury concerns always looming, adding another punishing runner makes sense. Braelon Allen is a classic Detroit fit — big, powerful, and relentless between the tackles.
At 6’2”, 235 pounds, Allen has surprising burst and vision for his size. His downhill style perfectly complements Gibbs’ outside explosiveness, and he provides Detroit with a physical edge in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Fit: A home-run insurance policy and future RB2 in a committee system that prioritizes wear-down ground attacks.
Round 4, Pick 130: Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina
Dan Campbell loves defensive linemen who bring relentless energy and violence to the game — and Kaimon Rucker fits that mold to a tee. Though undersized at 6’1″, 265 pounds, Rucker brings twitchy explosiveness and plays with his hair on fire. He consistently wins with leverage, speed-to-power conversion, and a relentless motor.
The Lions have invested heavily on the defensive line, but you can never have too many rotational pass-rushers. Rucker would thrive in a rotational role behind Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport, eventually growing into a more prominent role.
Fit: A developmental, high-effort pass-rusher who will make immediate special teams impact and add juice to the third-down package.
Round 5, Pick 162: Will Sheppard, WR, Vanderbilt
Even with Amon-Ra St. Brown locked in as the emotional engine of the receiving corps and Jameson Williams flashing his potential, the Lions could use more consistency and depth at wideout. Will Sheppard is a possession receiver with elite hands, smooth route-running, and deceptive speed.
He was a bright spot on an otherwise struggling Vanderbilt offense and would thrive in an NFL system that doesn’t ask him to be the primary option. Sheppard has great awareness on the boundary and consistently makes contested catches.
Fit: A reliable WR4/5 with potential to move up the depth chart and serve as an injury replacement or complementary slot option.
Round 6, Pick 194: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Lions continue investing in the offensive trenches with Josh Simmons, a long-term developmental tackle who offers positional flexibility. Simmons started at left tackle for the Buckeyes and has shown flashes of elite potential, though he remains raw in pass protection.
With Penei Sewell entrenched at right tackle and Taylor Decker entering his 30s, Simmons provides swing-tackle upside and insurance at a premium position. Detroit won’t need him right away, but he can be groomed behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.
Fit: Depth with high upside — the kind of long-term chess move Brad Holmes has made time and time again.
Round 7, Pick 236: Jacob Roberts, LB, Wake Forest
Linebacker depth is a sneaky need, especially with injuries in 2024 and some contracts nearing expiration. Jacob Roberts brings immediate special teams value and developmental upside. He’s a rangy, instinctive linebacker who isn’t afraid to fill gaps or cover tight ends.
Roberts won’t be expected to start, but he fits the culture and brings leadership and hustle to a roster that thrives on internal competition and accountability.
Fit: Depth linebacker and potential core special teamer in the mold of Malcolm Rodriguez.
The Indigenous Core Strategy: More Than Just Words
The term “indigenous core” isn’t just branding for the Lions — it’s their blueprint. What Detroit has built under Holmes and Campbell is a culture-first ecosystem where rookies are drafted not just for talent, but for how well they align with the locker room ethos: toughness, resilience, and selflessness.
Each of the players projected in this mock draft fits the Lions’ DNA:
- Booker helps protect Jared Goff while embodying grit in the trenches.
- Abrams-Draine sharpens the secondary without demanding headlines.
- Allen bolsters the run game with bruising efficiency.
- Rucker injects more tenacity into a fearsome pass rush.
- Sheppard brings hands and humility.
- Simmons offers futureproofing with ideal measurables.
- Roberts plays for the team, not the spotlight.
Rather than grabbing high-profile skill players for headlines, Detroit targets foundational pieces that will sustain long-term success.
The Bigger Picture: Competing Without Compromising
With the NFC North rapidly improving — especially with Green Bay and Chicago on the rise — Detroit can’t afford complacency. But the answer isn’t to panic or swing for the fences. Instead, it’s about enhancing what’s already working and reinforcing the core pillars.
This mock draft isn’t flashy, but it’s smart, targeted, and true to the Lions’ identity. It keeps Detroit competitive today while building sustainability for tomorrow. Holmes and Campbell have repeatedly said they want to win with “their guys.” This class gives them more of “their guys.”