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Detroit Lions NFL mock draft roundup: Experts predict focus on defensive line after combine
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- 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.
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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 : EDGE Shemar Stewart , Texas A&M
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (DL68) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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.
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" 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 : DT Kenneth Grant , Michigan
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates a tackle against USC during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
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."
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NFL Network : DB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (DB32) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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.
ESPN : DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boston College defensive lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku (DL47) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
ESPN has the Lions addressing the defensive line by drafting one of the most productive edge rushers in college football last year in former Boston College star Donovan Ezeiruaku.
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"Ezeiruaku's stock has soared, as he had a breakout season with 16.5 sacks (second most in the FBS) and has performed well in the pre-draft circuit," Jordan Reid wrote. "With good first-step quickness and a diverse set of moves, he generated a 6.1% pressure rate off the edge, the sixth-highest rate in the FBS."
In the two-round mock draft, the Lions use the 60th pick to address the offensive line by drafting former Arizona offensive lineman Jonaj Savaiinaea, who has experience at both tackle and guard.
"Savaiinaea is a versatile option who has experience at guard and tackle and can play either in the pros," Reid wrote. "He projects best at guard, where Detroit could use more depth."
Pro Football Focus : EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) during Tennessee's game against Chattanooga in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
PFF predicts the Lions will draft former Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 28th pick. Pearce tested well with a 4.5 40-yard dash and a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
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"Pearce had an incredibly impressive combine showing in the speed drills, recording a 1.56-second 10-yard split and a 4.47-second 40-yard dash," PFF wrote. "His arms are shorter than expected for someone with a 6-foot-5 frame, and it feels he is mostly viewed as just an outside linebacker speed type. But that is still a worthwhile draft target for a team like the Lions."
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions NFL mock draft roundup: Who experts have them picking
