Detroit Lions NFL mock draft roundup: Experts predict focus on defensive line after combine

Another key data point has been logged in the NFL draft process.

Last week, the top prospects in the 2025 NFL draft cycle completed interviews and athletic testing at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. All 32 teams were present to try to find the best fits for their roster from the top players coming out of college this season.

The Detroit Lions own the 28th pick in the first round of the draft after going 15-2 and losing in the divisional round in 2024. Last year, the Lions had the 29th pick before trading up to 24 to select cornerback Terrion Arnold.

Detroit owns seven total picks in the 2025 draft, which will take place in Green Bay, with no fifth-round pick and two seventh-round picks. Detroit received a compensatory pick after former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took a head coaching job with the New York Jets.

Here are the latest projections of what the Lions will do with the 28th pick after teams gathered information at the Combine.

USA TODAY predicts the Lions will draft one of the most athletic edge rushers in the 2025 draft, Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart. Stewart ranked as one of the most athletic defensive ends to test at the combine since 1987 based on his relative athletic score. He had a 4.8 second 40-yard dash, a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump.

“Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a season-ending leg injury,” USA TODAY wrote. “The Lions’ defense was ravaged by injuries this past season. Detroit needs more depth up front.”

The Athletic has the Lions drafting former Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. Grant, a third-team All-American for the Wolverines, did not test at the combine after reportedly suffering a hamstring injury, but will be available for workouts at Michigan’s pro day.

“At 6-4, 331, Grant is a massive man with some unique traits,” Dane Brugler wrote. “Do teams wish the tape was more consistent? No question. But the NFL is a big man’s league, and there aren’t many with Grant’s combination of size and ability in this class.”

NFL Network’s latest mock draft has the Lions adding to the secondary by drafting former Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas. Thomas, an All-ACC honorable mention player last year, measured in at 6-foot-1½ and only participated in the broad jump in the athletic testing.

“Detroit could go in a few directions here, but improving the back end with a long, physical, press-man cornerback might be the top priority,” Lance Zurlein wrote.