Three players the Detroit Lions might select in the 2025 NFL Draft

As the Detroit Lions approach the 2025 NFL Draft, they will likely be looking to further solidify their roster as they aim to contend for the NFC North title and, potentially, the NFC Championship. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have built a competitive, hard-nosed football team that mixes youth and veteran leadership. The team’s general manager, Brad Holmes, has shown a commitment to building through the draft, making smart selections that address the team’s immediate and future needs.

In 2025, the Lions will be focused on adding depth and talent to positions that are key to their success. With positions like cornerback, wide receiver, edge rusher, and defensive tackle all having been identified as areas for improvement, the draft will provide an opportunity to continue enhancing the Lions’ roster.

Let’s look at three potential players who could be on the Lions’ radar in the 2025 NFL Draft: Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama), Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State), and Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State).

1. Kool-Aid McKinstry – Cornerback, Alabama

Overview: Kool-Aid McKinstry is an incredibly talented cornerback from Alabama, widely considered one of the top prospects at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 190 pounds, McKinstry has the size and length that NFL teams covet in cornerbacks. What sets him apart is his exceptional ball skills, speed, and coverage ability. Over the years, he’s developed into a lockdown corner, with great anticipation and high football IQ. McKinstry is known for his sticky coverage and ability to shut down top-tier wide receivers.

Why McKinstry is a Fit for the Lions: The Detroit Lions’ secondary has been an area of concern in recent seasons, and while they’ve made significant improvements, cornerback remains a position of need. The Lions’ current cornerbacks, including Jeff Okudah and Cameron Sutton, have shown flashes but haven’t consistently been elite shut-down defenders. Detroit will be looking for a cornerback who can both play man-to-man coverage and provide support in zone schemes, and McKinstry offers that versatility.

The Lions’ defense, under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, is built on aggressive playmaking and forcing turnovers. McKinstry’s ability to read quarterbacks, his ball-hawking skills, and his ability to stay in phase with receivers make him an excellent fit in Detroit’s scheme. Additionally, pairing him with a veteran like Sutton would give McKinstry a chance to develop while immediately contributing to the team’s defense.

Player Strengths:

• Excellent Coverage Skills: McKinstry has a smooth backpedal and exceptional ability to turn and run with wide receivers.
• Physicality: He isn’t afraid to mix it up with wide receivers in press coverage, displaying excellent hand placement and jamming skills at the line of scrimmage.
• Ball Skills: McKinstry has a nose for the ball, regularly generating turnovers through interceptions or pass breakups.
• Toughness: As a player from the SEC, McKinstry has faced some of the toughest competition in college football, and his ability to hold up in high-pressure situations makes him an appealing choice for Detroit.

Potential Concerns:

• Consistent Tackling: While McKinstry is solid in coverage, his tackling technique can occasionally be inconsistent. This could be an area where he’ll need to improve to meet the physicality of the NFL game.
• Over-Aggressiveness: His desire to make big plays at times leads him to be too aggressive, leaving him vulnerable to double moves or deceptive route running.

Selecting McKinstry would give Detroit a potential long-term solution at cornerback, strengthening their pass defense significantly. His high ceiling and ability to be a difference-maker in coverage would elevate the Lions’ defense, making him a perfect pick for them in the 2025 NFL Draft.

2. Emeka Egbuka – Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Overview: Emeka Egbuka, a dynamic wide receiver out of Ohio State, has the kind of all-around skill set that has made him one of the top wide receivers in college football. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 205 pounds, Egbuka combines great size with elite athleticism. He excels at both the intermediate and deep parts of the field, showcasing excellent route-running ability, strong hands, and an ability to gain separation from defenders. His vertical leap and ability to track the ball in the air make him a dangerous red zone threat, and he has proven to be a threat after the catch with his vision and agility.

Why Egbuka is a Fit for the Lions: While Detroit has a strong receiving corps with players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, adding another playmaker to the unit would give Jared Goff even more weapons in the passing game. Egbuka would provide the Lions with a highly skilled target who can line up outside or in the slot. With his blend of size, speed, and catch radius, Egbuka would be an ideal complement to St. Brown’s route-running and Williams’ deep-threat ability.

In addition, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s innovative playcalling, having a versatile receiver like Egbuka who can move around the formation and create mismatches would fit perfectly into the Lions’ offense. Egbuka’s ability to create separation and be a reliable chain-mover would make him an instant impact player in Detroit’s high-powered offense.

Player Strengths:

• Route Running: Egbuka is known for his polished route running. He has the ability to run a full route tree and is particularly effective in creating separation at the top of routes.
• YAC Ability: Egbuka has great vision and agility after the catch. His ability to turn short passes into big gains would be valuable for the Lions’ offense.
• Contested Catch Ability: With his strong hands and ability to win contested catches, Egbuka is a dangerous weapon in tight spaces, especially in the red zone.
• Football IQ: Egbuka shows a high football IQ, knowing how to read coverages and adjust his routes accordingly to get open.

Potential Concerns:

• Physicality in the NFL: While Egbuka has been successful in college, the NFL can be a different animal, and his ability to handle more physical cornerbacks will be something to monitor.
• Strength: Although he’s solid at 205 pounds, some critics have questioned whether he’ll be able to consistently separate at the next level with more physical cornerbacks.

Egbuka could be a game-changing addition to the Lions’ offense. His versatility, route-running, and ability to make plays in all areas of the field would give the Lions another elite weapon for Jared Goff to work with. If Detroit is looking to take their offense to the next level, Egbuka would be a perfect fit.

3. Jared Verse – Edge Rusher, Florida State

Overview: Jared Verse, an edge rusher out of Florida State, is one of the top pass-rushing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 250 pounds, Verse has a powerful frame that allows him to consistently collapse the pocket and put pressure on quarterbacks. His quick first step and explosive burst make him an immediate threat off the edge. Verse is highly athletic and has the versatility to line up in multiple positions along the defensive front. His ability to bend the edge and his relentless motor make him a disruptive force in the backfield.

Why Verse is a Fit for the Lions: The Detroit Lions have a solid defensive line, but they still need to add more talent at edge rusher to be a top-tier defense. A player like Verse would provide immediate pass-rush production, and his combination of size and athleticism gives him the potential to be a force for years to come. With Aidan Hutchinson already established as a standout, pairing him with another dynamic pass rusher in Verse would give the Lions one of the most dangerous edge-rushing duos in the NFL.

In Detroit’s 4-3 defensive scheme, Verse could play either as a stand-up rusher or with his hand in the dirt, providing flexibility for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Verse’s ability to win with both power and speed will keep opposing offensive lines guessing and create chaos for quarterbacks in the NFC North.

Player Strengths:

• Pass Rush Ability: Verse has a quick first step and is very effective at using both his speed and power to get to the quarterback. He has an array of pass-rush moves and counters that keep blockers off balance.
• Athleticism: With his explosiveness and lateral agility, Verse has the ability to pursue plays across the field and is effective in run defense as well.
• Motor: Verse has a relentless motor and never stops pursuing the ball, which is crucial for creating turnovers and putting constant pressure on the quarterback.
• Versatility: Verse’s ability to rush from multiple spots on the defensive line gives defensive coordinators flexibility in how they want to deploy him.

Potential Concerns:

• Technical Refinement: While Verse has the physical tools, he can sometimes be a bit raw in his technique. Developing a more refined set of pass-rush moves will be important for his success at the NFL level.
• Consistency: There are times when he disappears in games, and teams may want to see more consistency from him against top competition.

Jared Verse would give the Lions a potent pass-rushing threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Adding him to the defensive line would not only improve Detroit’s ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks but also provide a long-term solution at the position. He’s a perfect fit for the Lions as they continue to build a dominant defense.

As the Detroit Lions look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting players like Kool-Aid McKinstry, Emeka Egbuka, and Jared Verse could provide the team with instant impact while addressing critical areas of need. These players would help the Lions improve on defense and offense, contributing to their long-term goal of becoming a perennial playoff contender. With a strong draft, the Lions could continue to build a championship-caliber roster under the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.