Mock Draft Roundup 5.0: Lions beat writers release pre-Combine projections

With the 2025 NFL Combine set to kick off next week, this week’s Mock Draft Roundup offers fans their last opportunity to check out which prospects are being mocked to the Lions before the big event—including several from local beat reporters.

Officially, the Combine begins on Monday, February 24, but the first real event worth watching will be on Tuesday, February 25 when Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell will hold their annual press conferences. Prospects on-field drills begin on Thursday, February 17, and will conclude on Sunday, March 2.

Let’s take a look at the latest players we’re seeing mocked to Detroit.

Offensive skill players

Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon

Source: Nathan Jahnke (PFF)

“The Lions are set with their skill players and only have Tim Patrick as a priority free agent. Detroit has kept undersized receiver Kalif Raymond on the roster during these last four seasons, but he will be 31 years old before the end of the season. Johnson is the most undersized player in this mock draft and could be Raymond’s long-term replacement.” — Jahnke

Erik’s Thoughts:

A quick note on this mock draft from PFF: Jahnke ONLY drafted offensive skill players. So, with this in mind, that means he’s estimating Johnson as the 28th-best skill player, which would put his draft projection roughly somewhere in the third round. While drafting a Raymond replacement in the third round may seem a bit rich, it does match up with where Johnson is likely to be drafted.

Offensive line

Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

Source: Kyle Crabbs (33rd Team), Ryan Roberts (AtoZ Sports)

“The Lions are a team that will certainly be feeling out some transition thanks to the coaching exodus this offseason. But the best way to keep this transition smooth is to lean into the identity that got the Lions to this point. That identity is a mauling approach to all things — and with an upgrade opportunity over an aging Graham Glasgow and the potential departure of Kevin Zeitler gives the Lions the perfect chance to lock in a long-term asset on the inside in heavyweight guard Tyler Booker.” — Crabbs

Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Source: Matt Johnson and Andrew Buller-Russ (Sportsnaut), Jacob Camenker (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

“North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel is known for his physical mentality and he has starting experience at four different positions. He could be a starter at guard for Detroit in 2025 while waiting in the wings to eventually replace Ragnow at center.”

Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Source: Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com), Devon Jackson (Philadelphia Inquirer)

“Jackson would be a perfect replacement for Kevin Zeitler if the veteran departs in free agency.” — Jeremiah

Erik’s Thoughts:

After spending the last few days pouring through prospect film of offensive linemen, I would certainly entertain the Lions drafting any of the three players listed in this group. I have them ranked in the order I prefer heading into the Combine, but I’m still far from finalizing their rankings.

Defensive tackle

Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Source: Brendan Donahue (Sharp Football Analysis)

“The Lions defense was ravaged by injuries last year. That eventually caught up to them, so expect them to look to solidify that side of the ball early in the draft. Nolen earned an 88.9 overall grade from PFF last season, eighth out of 895 defensive linemen in the country.” — Donahue

Kenneth Grant, NT, Michigan

Source: Daniel Harms (The Draft Network), Lou Scatagliz (NFL Spin Zone)

“After a season where injury after injury depleted the Lions’ defense, they need not only depth but talent along the defensive line. Kenneth Grant is a Michigan man and a stalwart against the run with massive athletic upside as a pass rusher. He’ll be right at home in Detroit.” — Harms

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Source: Daniel Flick (Sports Illustrated)

“Prior to landing at Oregon for 2024, Harmon spent three seasons at Michigan State, and he hails from Detroit. Beyond the allure of a potential homecoming, Harmon was one of college football’s best pass rushers this past season. He’s scheme-versatile, can play up and down the line of scrimmage and wins with both quickness and physicality. Harmon finished tied for third in the nation with 43 hurries, and he had 55 pressures. The Lions need immediate help up front, and Harmon, from their own backyard, is ready to deliver.” — Flick

Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Source: Josh Edwards (CBS Sports)

“Levi Onwuzurike is set to hit free agency. D.J. Reader will be hitting free agency next offseason. Tyleik Williams affords them to retain depth along the interior this year, while potentially grooming Reader’s replacement.” — Edwards

Erik’s Thoughts:

After Michigan’s Mason Graham, my next tier of defensive tackles includes Nolen, Grant, and Harmon, who I believe are all in contention for the back half of the first round. Williams is another tier lower on my current draft board, because while he’s an elite run defender, I’m not sure he’s much more than that, and defensive linemen who don’t produce much in the passing game tend to fall to Day 2.

Edge rusher

Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

Source: Brianna Dix (Buccaneers.com)

“The Lions need another pass rusher to join Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit. There is a lot of disparity among mock drafts regarding Jalon Walker’s placement, ranging from top-10 to late selection. He was named the Butkus Award Winner and concluded the 2024 campaign with 61 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Walker is currently undersized for full-time edge duties and is developing instincts off the ball. The former Bulldog is a hybrid player that has sensational closing speed. He could be utilized as a blitzer and split time between off-ball linebacker and edge. Walker has acceleration to attack the edge and is strong at the point of attack. He has the change-of-direction necessary to cover tight ends and running backs on option routes and Dan Campbell grabs the Georgia product.” — Dix

Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Source: Andrew Harbaugh (Vikings Wire)

“People are torn on Mykel Williams but what about pairing him with Aidan Hutchison? That may help his development into a full-blown pass rusher.” — Harbaugh

Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Source: Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports), Joe Schad (Palm Beach Post)

“The Lions go with a specimen with supreme upside to pair alongside Aidan Hutchinson on the edge.” — Trapasso

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Source: Colton Pouncy (The Athletic), Ben Raven (MLive)

“[Ezeiruaku] was highly productive in his final year at Boston College with 16.5 sacks. He has long arms and should be able to hold his own in the run game. Most importantly, he can win a one-on-one quickly. The Lions should be looking to collect pass rushers, especially after their depth was tested last season. Here’s a young one who can help. — Pouncy

“Ezeiruaku’s talent, ridiculous length, motor, production and growth fill a major need. The Lions need more for the pass rush. He projects as someone who can handle a number of different fronts while adding a productive, closer ability to the team’s pass rush.” — Raven

Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Source: Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports)

“I had Jack Sawyer going to Detroit in my first mock, and I have him going to Detroit in my second. I may have him here in every mock. Like I said last time, Sawyer feels like a guy who was grown in a lab to play for Dan Campbell.” — Fornelli

Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

Source: Dave Birkett (Detroit Free Press), Gennaro Filice (NFL.com), Jordan Plocher (PFF), Luke Easterling (Anthon Sports), Anthony Pasciolla (Pro Football Network), Kurt Blakeway (Fantasy Pros), Fox Sports Staff

“Scourton is the type of big, high-upside, pocket-collapsing defensive end the Lions have targeted in early in past drafts. He’s 20 years old. He’s listed at 6 feet 4 and 280 pounds. And he would pair nicely with Aidan Hutchinson in a Marcus Davenport-sort of role. The Lions need help on the interior defensive line or they could target help on the offensive line or receiver here, too, but I’m going with an edge defender who doesn’t take snaps off.” — Birkett

Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida

Source: Kory Woods (MLive)

“Most mock drafts have Umanmielen projected as an early to mid-second-round selection. However, one thing this Lions regime has shown — especially with Brad Holmes making the picks — is that if they believe a player fits the mold of a Detroit Lion, they won’t risk losing him. To me, Princely Umanmielen feels like that type of player.” — Woods

Erik’s Thoughts:

The EDGE class looks unpredictable heading into the Combine and the mock draft projections illustrate that as well. For example, both Georgia edge rushers are top half of the first round on my pre-Combine board, yet Sawyer, Scourton, and Umanmielen look like second-rounders to me. But as Woods points out in his explanation, Holmes isn’t going to care where external sources rank these guys because if the player fits, the Lions won’t hesitate to grab him.

Eiruaku is a player finding himself connected to Detroit in recent mocks, including from The Athletic’s Pouncy and MLive’s Raven this week, as well as The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner last week.

Linebacker

Jihaad Campbell, WILL/SAM, Alabama

Source: Nick Suss (The Tennessean)

“It’s never been a surprise when the Lions draft a non-premium position high. Campbell helps strengthen the front seven further, as well as accentuate a reloaded roster primed for another crack at winning the NFC.” — Suss

Erik’s Thoughts:

Campbell may seem like a luxury pick, but it’s worth noting that the Lions are at risk of losing Derrick Barnes this offseason, while Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Jalen Reves-Maybin are all in contract years. Campbell would give the Lions a SAM option in 2025, while also being insurance/replacement at WILL if Anzalone departs in 2026.

Defensive backs

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Source: Justin Lewis (Pro Football Network)

“His high-cut frame makes him look taller than he actually is, but his wingspan and feel for playing off receivers with over-the-top leverage help keep everything in front of him. That extends to man coverage, where Morrison plays on the front hip. While that allows nuanced receivers with brakes to snap off routes back to the QB on him, Morrison’s feel for route depth and receiver tells keeps him tight and prevents big plays with consistency.” — Lewis

Erik’s Thoughts:

Depending on what happens with Carlton Davis, the Lions could be back in the market for another corner capable of challenging for a starting role. Morrison is a press-man scheme fit and could give the Lions another youth option in their secondary. Having multiple corners on rookie contracts when it comes time to pay both starting safeties would be a huge benefit.