2025 NFL Draft Grades: Detroit fills in gaps, aims to remain top threat in NFL

After a disappointing finish to their best season ever, the Detroit Lions aimed to add talent to their roster to prevent making the same mistake again in 2025. The biggest obstacle the team had to overcome last season was the numerous injuries, and depth was more important to them than any other team in the league. While the holes on the roster heading into the first round were visible, the team overall didn’t have major needs.

For years, Lions fans looked forward to the NFL Draft to begin their hopeful journey in wanting Detroit to become a relevant team that was competitive in the division and a Super Bowl threat. With the high, flashy picks being the norm for decades, we saw an adjustment starting this year. While the Lions technically had a lower pick in 2024, they traded up to take cornerback Terrion Arnold. This year, the Lions stood pat at pick 28, the lowest they have picked since 2018.

With the Lions roster being so talented and their seasons producing better results, not only will they not take the top-ranked rookies anymore, but even their first-round picks aren’t expected to start in Week 1. This is a new age of the NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions. How did Holmes and company do in this style of draft?

First round (28): DT Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)

While I said earlier that the first-round pick isn’t expected to be an instant starter anymore in Detroit, this is an exception. While the edge spot was arguably where the team could use more help, interior defensive line was also a need. Starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered a torn ACL in December last year and isn’t expected to be ready when the season begins. Outside of the injury to McNeill, the only other defensive tackles under contract beyond 2025 are Brodric Martin and Mekhi Wingo.

The team needed another body on the interior who could help stop the run and generate inside pressure on the quarterback. Williams could be a starter on Week 1 alongside veteran DJ Reader, giving McNeill less pressure to try and return as fast as possible. When McNeill is ready to play, it will be interesting to see if he fills more in for McNeill or Reader.

Williams is primarily a run-defending defensive tackle, as his pass rush isn’t his strong suit. Holmes and Lions head coach Dan Campbell saw a lot of McNeill in Williams, and you can see why with his style of play. He’s also a film junkie and was the best available defensive tackle at pick 28. Holmes was afraid to trade back as he believed a team behind them also wanted Williams.

Role: Starter/Role (Defensive tackle alongside Reader with McNeill out)

Individual Grade: B

Second round (57): G Tate Ratledge (Georgia)

In his first trade, Holmes saw Ratledge on the board and had to move up before he was gone. Ratledge will immediate contend for a starting role with Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany. With the team losing guard Kevin Zeitler to free agency, the Lions now have an opening and will bring in bodies to compete.

After playing a few games last season, Mahogany was recognized, and many assumed he would instantly fill in for Zeitler, but Holmes cooled down on those thoughts in early April.

“It’s a small sample size of the starts that he played,” Holmes said. “They were promising, they were encouraging. We do feel like he has starter-level ability, but he is still a young player, so we still need to make sure that he has competition, and it’s part of—we bring (Ka)yode (Awosika) back and we’ll still be looking at possibly another veteran to add, and you still have the draft.”

The good thing for Ratledge is that he isn’t pressured to come out and start instantly. While he will battle for a starting job on the team, if he doesn’t win, he can work on his game and possibly become a starter in 2026. Ratledge has a similar “dirtbag“ mantra like Mahogany, and he won’t walk into Allen Park fine being a backup; he will bring his A-game and make the others earn their right to start over him if he can’t win.

Role: Starter/Backup (Pending training camp battle)

Individual Grade: A

Third round (70): WR Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas)

Brad wasn’t done trading on Day 2 of the draft, moving up once again and taking a skill position player: wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. While the team does have question marks at wide receiver long-term, despite the team picking up Jameson Williams’ fifth-year option, the only other receivers on the roster past 2025 is Antoine Green and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The question wasn’t the position or the size, as the team needed depth at the X-receiver position, but where they picked TeSlaa.

Here was the trade between them and the Jacksonville Jaguars:

Lions Receive: 2025 third-round pick (70), 2025 sixth-round pick (182), 2026 sixth-round pick.

Jaguars Receive: 2025 third-round pick (102), 2 2026 third-round picks.

TeSlaa will help the team lighten the load on Tim Patrick if injuries start to flare up, and gives Detroit a future WR3 option in 2026.

Overall, this was a big reach by Holmes, possibly the biggest he has taken in any draft. While the position was something the team needed help with, the cost to get TeSlaa seemed a bit too high for me. With other receivers still on the board, Holmes could have traded up to a lower pick and given up less for someone similar to TeSlaa’s build.

Role: Backup, potential future starter

Individual grade: C

Fifth round (171): G Miles Frazier (LSU)

For the third straight pick, Holmes didn’t believe his guy would be there when the Lions would pick next, so he traded up. This trade was possibly the best value overall, as the Lions gave up two sixth-round picks this year to move into the fifth round and get a top-100 player in Frazier. This pick was a best player available pick, as the team had already taken Ratledge in the second round. Frazier could compete for a starting job, but I wouldn’t expect him to be up there just yet on this team.

He has the potential to be a starter in 2026 if the team decides to move on from guard Graham Glasgow earlier than expected. Frazier is a great pass blocker who isn’t afraid to be a lead blocker and move guys with ease. He has the versatility to play at either guard position, but he can also line up at either tackle spot. If the Lions can train him to play center—and they’ll at least try—he could fill in at any spot in a pinch, which would be very useful.

Role: Backup, potential future starter

Sixth round (196): DE Ahmed Hassanein (Boise State)

Finally, a defensive end! The Lions got themselves a fun project at the position, drafting Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round. The Lions needed a defensive end and while it wasn’t as high as people expected, Hassanein could be a potential gem if the team can develop him. He is new to football and is still learning what he can do to be a better player and the game of football overall.

The last time the Lions took a player who had a lack of experience at defensive end in the draft was Ziggy Ansah, and we all remember how that turned out, right? Now sure, Hassanein isn’t a first-round talent like Ansah was, but if he can develop and train well, he could be a potential answer for someone to line up on the opposite side of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

What also gives Hassanein a chance to make it in the NFL is his versatility. He can play on the inside at defensive tackle and on the edge. If he can impress the coaches enough this season, he could at least be a replacement for Levi Onwuzurike if the team can’t keep him around after 2025. He also has an amazing story that everyone needs to read and learn more about.

Role: Project player, might not see playing time in 2025

Individual grade: A-

Seventh round (230): S Dan Jackson (Georgia)

When it comes to the seventh round, you are taking a flyer on someone, but this flyer might end up being a possible 53-man fit. While Jackson won’t be starting over Kerby Joseph or Brian Branch anytime soon, he has a legit shot to become the primary backup on the roster. The team needs better depth at safety, and Jackson can provide that.

While his run defense could use some work, that doesn’t mean he is afraid to chase the ball carrier and lay the wood. Jackson has delivered some big hits during his time in Georgia, and if he can bring a boom to the secondary, that can be something that stands out to the coaches. His coverage is what he excels at, after he didn’t allow a single touchdown when he was targeted in 2024. He will most likely spend some time on special teams to start his career, but anything to get him on the field and knock some people around will be great.

Role: Backup/Special Teams

Individual grade: C-

Seventh round (244): WR Dominic Lovett (Georgia)

Speaking of special teams, that is where I see the final draft pick, wide receiver Dominic Lovett, appearing in 2025 if he can make the roster. He is a slot wide receiver who is quick (4.41 at the NFL Combine) and finds holes in the open space once he has the ball. In the long term, I see him as a potential replacement for Kalif Raymond in 2026. Raymond is in the final year of his deal and will be 32 when the 2026 season starts, and the team could use a younger depth slot receiver.

His biggest issue the past two seasons has been drops, as his best years in college appeared to be with Missouri over Georgia. If the Lions coaching staff can find what he is good at and work on the drops, he could be a future starter or depth option.

Role: Backup/special teams (Possible WR4 in 2026)

Individual grade: B-

Overall Grade: B-

This draft class needed some big bodies in the trenches, and Holmes found them. While the edge spot wasn’t taken as early as fans would have liked, the Lions got two guards with starter potential, a starting defensive tackle, and a possible future starter at defensive end. It wasn’t just in the trenches where the Lions could have used help; the wide receiver room needed some assistance for the future. Both receivers might not see much playing time in 2025, but they are more for future additions.

The Lions also addressed a need for depth at safety with Dan Jackson, which gives Loren Strickland and Erick Hallett some competition in training camp. My biggest gripes with this class is the trade Holmes made for TeSlaa, as I believe the picks in 2026 are more valuable than the picks in this draft class. The Lions could have gotten someone like Elic Ayomanor (went 136th overall) for better value.

The other issue I have is the double dip at guard. While Frazier is a good player, the trade value was good, and I understand how you can’t pass up on someone like him, the team could have gotten a more impactful defensive end, safety, or possibly help at linebacker or tight end instead.

This class isn’t expected to have a big impact in their first year, with Williams being the lone player who might start, let alone play. It’s a draft focusing on the future more than the present, and while it isn’t loved right now, this class could be one we look back on as a great class.

Poll

How would you grade the Detroit Lions 2025 NFL Draft?

• 13%

  A

  (34 votes)

• 60%

  B

  (153 votes)

• 20%

  C

  (53 votes)

• 3%

  D

  (10 votes)

• 1%

  F

  (3 votes)

253 votes total

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