The Detroit Lions entered the 2025 NFL Draft picking 28th following a stellar 15-2 regular season. Unfortunately, it ended with a 45-31 upset loss to the Washington Commanders at home in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Following the loss, they also lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who took the head coaching position with the divisional rival Chicago Bears, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who took the head coaching position with the New York Jets. Both men took several key assistants with them. Now, head coach Dan Campbell will enter the 2025 season with the intent to prove he can survive without Johnson and Glenn. Here is a look at what the Detroit Lions did in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Round | Name | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
1(28) | Tyleik Williams | DT | Ohio State |
2(57) | Tate Ratledge | OG | Georgia |
3(70) | Isaac TeSlaa | WR | Arkansas |
5(171) | Miles Frazier | OG | LSU |
6(194) | Ahmed Hassanein | DE | Boise State |
7(230) | Dan Jackson | S | Georgia |
7(244) | Dominic Lovett | WR | Georgia |
All of their draft picks outside of Hassanein played in the Big Ten or the SEC. Even Hassanein, along with Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, helped lead Boise State to a CFB Playoff appearance last season. They are all battle-tested and ready to contribute.
Defensive Tackle Tyleik Williams from Ohio State is a bit of a reach considering their need for an edge rusher. But they opted to bolster their trenches and selected Williams, considered the best run-stopper in this year's class. He could be a menace to the Bears' running game when the Bears meet the Lions this season.
Georgia guard Tate Rutledge, who turned 24 on April 26th during the draft, is a battle-tested guard who has won 2 national titles and is also a two-time All-SEC selection(2023-4). Meanwhile, LSU's Miles Frazier was a three-year starter after transferring from Florida International. Both players will offer an upgrade as a backup to the guard position, and one of them could replace Graham Glasgow as a starter in 2026.
Arkansas wide receiver Issac TeSlaa is from Hudsonville, Michigan, where actor Taylor Lautner from The Twilight Saga series also hails from. This pick is a bit controversial since the Lions overpaid by giving up two 2026 third-round picks to secure him. But he has the size and athleticism to give Jared Goff another versatile weapon, especially in the end zone.
Of the rest of their draftees, one name that stands out is Boise State edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein. He moved from Egypt to Anaheim, CA, in 2018 without knowing any English. He made himself into a football player with the help of his brother, who was a football coach. He also participated in CrossFit, wrestling, boxing, and swimming while growing up in Egypt.
He has 115 pressures and 22 sacks over the last two seasons at Boise State. Since the Lions did not add any other edge rushers in the draft, they are counting heavily on Hassanein in his rookie season, while they continue to explore other veteran edge rushers who can complement Aidan Hutchinson before the season starts.
Both Dan Jackson and Dominic Lovett join Ratledge as two other Georgia players to be drafted by the Lions. Jackson could be a valuable backup in their secondary, while Lovett could face an uphill battle to make the team and may end up on their practice squad.
Grade: B-
Some of their decisions, particularly the trade for Isaac TeSlaa, and not adding another pass rusher in the earlier rounds, are a head-scratcher. Despite high hopes for Hassanein, he has only played 6 years of American football and should be considered a developmental prospect. General Manager Brad Holmes has done a great job turning around the franchise with his draft. This year's draft could be his biggest challenge yet.