Photo credit: Photo Illustration/AP

The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay is next month. The NFL off-season is gradually heating up as veteran players are being cut, trades are being made, and the opportunity of a lifetime looming for young college prospects.

The reigning back-to-back NFC North champion Detroit Lions will be seeking some defensive depth and perhaps some defensive line star power after being ravaged by injuries last season. Despite a 15-2 regular season record, the Lions’ postseason run was short-lived. The Washington Commanders defeated Detroit in the NFC Divisional Round, but the Lions will look to bounce back in 2025 and make their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

Brad Holmes has done an incredible job drafting during his tenure with the Lions, and the hope is that it will be no different this time around.

The Lions met with many draft prospects during the combine, giving us an idea of what prospects have gotten Holmes’ attention throughout the draft process and which positions Detroit may target next month. Using that information, I have put together a Lions seven-round mock draft, starting with a player who could finally give Aidan Hutchinson a long-term partner on the edge of the defensive line.

Round One, Pick 28: Nic Scourton, EDGE – Texas A&M

Nic Scourton is a player that, at one point, I gave zero chance to fall to the Lions with the 28th overall pick in the draft. However, the Lions may benefit by fellow edge rushers Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, and Donovan Ezeiruaku quickly rising up draft boards. It could allow Scourton to fall to the Lions next month, just like Terrion Arnold did last year.

Scourton’s sack numbers dipped a bit playing for Texas A&M for the first time after transferring from Purdue prior to the 2024 season. Part of it was a scheme that made him play a little more focused on defending the run, which at 285 pounds, he was very good at doing. For his size, Scourton moved pretty well but will need to drop some pounds to be even more explosive in the pass rush.

At the combine, he weighed in at almost 30 pounds lighter than what he was listed at Texas A&M. He dropped to 257 pounds and was moving quickly during drills. If he keeps that weight off, he can get back to being the disruptive force that he was with Purdue. Scourton’s Boilermaker tape may be the best in the class from a pass rusher, which says a lot considering it’s a defensive end class that is deep with talent.

Scourton would be a late first-round steal and would be a great fit in the trenches with Hutchinson and Za’Darius Smith.

Other notable defensive end interviews: Mike Green, Jack Sawyer, Josaiah Stewart.

Round Two, Pick 60: Chris Paul Jr., LB – Ole Miss

To be honest, this isn’t a selection I would make because I think the depth at linebacker will be solid with Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, and eventually Malcolm Rodriguez when he recovers. But, after experiencing such a strong injury bug defensively, you can’t blame Brad Holmes for putting an emphasis on defense and interviewing a few linebackers.

The thing that stands out almost immediately watching Chris Paul’s tape is his quickness, specifically his sideline-to-sideline speed. He has solid lateral agility, is strong in coverage, and is a good blitzer, making him a threat when given the opportunity to rush the quarterback.

Paul could be a great weapon for new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

Other notable LB interviews: Jihaad Campbell, Barrett Carter.

Round Three, Pick 101: Charles Grant, OL – William & Mary

Photo credit: Tribe Athletics

In this scenario, an FCS player is the first offensive prospect the Lions select in the draft. William & Mary OT Charles Grant’s profile is very similar to the type of prospects that Brad Holmes likes to select on day two and/or day three. Brodric Martin from two years ago and Giovanni Manu from last years draft are examples of that. However, Grant, in my opinion, has a much higher ceiling than both Martin, who, although he plays on the other side of the ball, had a similar profile, and Manu, the offensive tackle they acquired in an aggressive day two trade.

Grant would be a great fit for the Lions. His speed gives him some leverage in run blocking, and as we all know, the run game is the heartbeat of the Lions’ offense. He also has the tools to easily transition to guard if needed, and that is a position of interest for the Lions with Kevin Zeitler becoming a free agent and Graham Glasgow’s performance regressing just a bit last season.

Because he’s coming from such a small school and hasn’t faced great pass rushers, it will take time to develop Grant as a complete prospect, but, with the right coaching, he could be a great replacement for Taylor Decker in the future, or maybe even a starting guard for the Lions.

Other notable OT interviews: Grey Zabel, Jonah Savaiinaea, Donovan Jackson, Eli Cox.

Round Four, Pick 132: O’Donnell Fortune, CB – South Carolina

Cornerback is one of the biggest needs for the Lions, with Carlton Davis becoming a free agent. They still have Terrion Arnold, Amik Robinson, and Ennis Rakestraw, but they would be wise to add someone through free agency. Perhaps that means they bring Davis back, or maybe even a reunion with Darius Slay could be in play. Whatever the outcome is, I could see them drafting a corner on day two or three.

O’Donnell Fortune has good length and does a nice job flipping his hips to defend against WRs on release. He plays the football really well, and his seven interceptions prove that he is a threat to take the ball away.

Fortune is also a willing tackler, which is the type of defensive back that Brad Holmes likes to draft. Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Ennis Rakestraw are examples of that.

Other notable CB interviews: Darien Porter, Azareye’h Thomas, Cobee Bryant, Quincy Riley.

Round Six, Pick 198: Bru McCoy, WR – Tennessee

The Lions need a WR3 with Tim Patrick being a free agent. Patrick signed with Detroit after his last two seasons prior to 2024 with the Denver Broncos were doomed by injuries. He was a really good fit for the role the Lions needed him to play. The chemistry seemed really strong between he and QB Jared Goff on the field. There’s a good chance he re-signs, but no matter what, it would make sense for the Lions to add some depth at wide receiver.

Bru McCoy wasn’t the most productive WR with Tennessee, but like Patrick, he was great in the role he played. At 6’3″, McCoy has the ideal measurements that the Lions are looking for to pair with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. With Patrick’s injury history, even if he re-signs, it would make sense for the Lions to draft a younger model and add some needed depth at the position.

Other notable WR interviews: Pat Bryant, Elic Ayomanor.

Round Seven, Pick 227: Harold Cross, DL – Notre Dame

There’s a big emphasis on edge rushers, for good reason, but the Lions’ abysmal pass rush could also use a boost from the interior, especially with Alim McNeil suffering a torn ACL against the Bills in week 12.

Harold Cross from Notre Dame would be a great late-round addition to the trenches. Cross has something valuable that I look for in a defensive tackle, and that is a wrestling background. It’s part of the reason why Mason Graham has the top spot on my NFL big board, but unlike Cross, Graham is likely to go top 10 in the draft.

Cross’ wrestling experience gives him exceptional leverage and hand-fighting techniques to overcome his undersized build. He was very productive for the Fighting Irish and should be one of the Lions’ top targets late in the draft.

The Lions’ only other interview with a DT was Michigan’s Kenneth Grant.

Round Seven, Pick 230: Jackson Hawes, TE – Georgia Tech

The combine interviews indicate that the Lions are searching for a blocking tight end and some more depth at the position.

Jackson Hawes, considered to be one of the best blocking TE’s in the draft class, met with the team during the combine. Obviously, with Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright under contract, tight end is not a pressing need for the team, so if they select one, it will likely be with one of their last picks in the draft.

Other notable TE interviews: Thomas Fidone, CJ Dipree, Robbie Ouzts.

Round Seven, Pick 146: Chaz Chambliss, EDGE – Georgia

What a great way to end the draft if the Lions end up with the Bulldogs sack leader in 2024.

Chaz Chambliss met with Detroit and would be yet another addition to their defensive line. He had to earn his spot on Georgia’s powerhouse defense, and that’s exactly what he did. Chambliss climbed up the depth chart and was one of the leaders for Kirby Smart’s team.

Chambliss was very productive last season in the SEC and nearly had as many sacks as Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams combined.

Other notable DE interviews: Jalen McLeod, Collins Oliver.