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We are days away from the 2025 NFL Draft that will take place in Green Bay Wisconsin.

It’s an exciting time in Detroit. Lions fans obviously have the thrill of adding prospects to an already extremely talented roster, but they will also have the Pistons playing playoff basketball. Michigan Sports Media will have both covered, but as for this article, I am focusing on the Detroit Lions and the upcoming draft.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes has hit on the majority of his draft picks during his time in the Motor City. If there is a player he wants, he will get very aggressive to ensure he lands the prospect he has his eyes on. Brad has pulled the trigger on some big trades, including moving from pick No.32 to pick No.12 in 2022 to draft Jameson Williams. They moved up from pick No.29 to pick No.24 last year to draft Terrion Arnold. However, one of his most successful draft day trades came on day two in 2023 when he made a deal with the Packers to move up and draft Brian Branch.

The Jameson Williams trade is especially interesting as they traded up 20 spots to draft him, something Brad Holmes said he’s tried to do again in recent drafts.

“There’s just some teams that don’t want to go that far back,” Holmes said. “It takes two. So, it’s hard to say like, ‘Man, we should do this.’ And even if we do there’s no telling that the other team is willing to go back.”

Point is, nothing should come as a surprise to Lions fans when Brad goes to work on draft night. He has given us a few surprises and is not afraid to move around the board in either direction.

The Titans will be on the clock before we know it, so with the draft quickly approaching, let’s dive into some potential trades up the board for Detroit that I have projected.

Lions acquire pick No.17 from Cincinnati, select Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell

The Cincinnati Bengals probably make the most sense as a trade partner if the Lions make a big splash on day one. They currently own just six picks in the 2025 draft, and have a well-known history of moving back early in recent drafts.

I am as confident as I’ve ever been in anything that Campbell is at the very top of Brad Holmes’ big board for the Lions. Let’s be real… Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, and Jalon Walker are out of the Lions’ reach. Campbell is right behind those big-name prospects as far as talent and would likely still be on the board within trade distance for Detroit.

Campbell is a well-rounded, extremely athletic defender who has the potential to be very productive in the NFL. Along with playing linebacker, Campbell also had valuable snaps at wide receiver in high school. He scored a 9.87 RAS (relative athletic score) out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 41 out of 3182 LB from 1987 to 2025.

Holmes’ respect for Alabama is evident in his past drafts. The aforementioned Jameson Williams, Brian Branch, Terrion Arnold, and Jahmyr Gibbs all played for the Crimson Tide. As I mentioned, he’s made some very aggressive trades to move up and draft those Alabama products. Campbell could be the next added to the list.

Lions acquire pick No.18 from Seattle, select Campbell

Here’s another scenario where the Lions move up to get Campbell, but with a different trade partner.

Seattle will likely look to improve in the trenches early in the draft by drafting an offensive tackle and/or an interior offensive lineman. If Kelvin Banks or Grey Zabel is still available I can see the Seahawks staying put and drafting one of those two prospects. If they are taken before pick No.18, I can see Seattle wanting to trade back.

The point of moving up to either pick No.17 or 18 is to get in front of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I can’t see Campbell falling past the Bucs. They were interested in drafting Lions linebacker Jack Campbell in 2023, but Detroit took him off the board one pick before the Bucs were on the clock. Detroit can swoop in and take another linebacker away from Tampa Bay in this upcoming draft.

Lions acquire pick No.20 from Denver, select Oregon DT Derrick Harmon

The Denver Broncos are in an interesting spot. The majority of people expect them to give Bo Nix’s offense some more ammo, but I don’t think wide receiver is a first-round need for them, and with the signing of Evan Engram, it’s tough to see them drafting Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland. Trading back and drafting a running-back, like Omarion Hampton, would be logical if the right player is not available with the 20th overall pick.

Derrick Harmon still being on the board at No.20 might be wishful thinking. However, If he does fall to that spot, it would make sense for the Lions to pull the trigger. In my opinion, he would make a bigger impact for the Lions than Campbell or the several other pass rushers that are on Lions fans’ radars.

Harmon was incredibly productive on the Oregon Ducks’ interior defensive line, especially in the pass rush category. He collected 27 solo tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. He led all of college football at his position with 55 pressures (Led all DTs in 2024 with a gap of 11 pressures between him and 2nd).

With Alim McNeil being injured to start the season, DJ Reader playing on the final year of his deal, and the overall need for pass rush help, an interior defensive lineman is one of the needs for Detroit. Harmon would fill a need while probably being the best player available on Brad’s big board (assuming Campbell is off the board).

Lions acquire pick No.20 from Denver, select Georgia DE Mykel Williams

I already talked about why the Broncos could trade back, so let’s dive right into Mykel Williams.

This is not a move I would make personally. I’m not nearly as high on Williams as most people are, at least not as a pass rusher. The Georgia product is one of the better run defenders in the draft, though. In my opinion, if the Lions trade up to select an edge rusher, it should be for someone who’s proven to be more productive at getting after the quarterback. I just don’t see the high ceiling as a pass rusher like most people do. I think he will be another Travon Walker, who is a solid player, but not someone who’s going to rack up the sacks.

Across three seasons at Georgia, Williams recorded 85 pressures, 17 sacks, 57 QB hurries, and 46 stops. He’d be a solid addition to the Lions’ defense, but would not be the best pass rusher available, in my opinion.

Lions acquire pick No.24 from Minnesota, select Williams

What if Williams slips even further in the draft? That would allow the Lions to give up less in a trade up the board to get him, if that’s who is on Holmes’ radar.

The Lions’ general manager has made a deal with the Vikings in round one in the past. There’s no reason to think he won’t be able to do it again.

The Vikings getting a little bit more draft capital to move down four spots would make plenty of sense, depending on who’s available for them with the 24th overall pick.

Lions acquire pick No.25 from Houston, select Williams

There’s a chance that the Vikings don’t move off of the 24th overall pick for two reasons. Maybe their guy is available and can’t risk moving down the board, or maybe they aren’t interested in being the team that gives their toughest division rival the guy they want.

Assuming the Vikings pass on a pass rusher, the Lions may try to strike a deal with Houston to jump the Baltimore Ravens, who are a team that’s expected to invest in a pass rusher at some point early in the draft.

Lions acquire pick No.24 from Minnesota, select Tennessee DE James Pearce Jr.

James Pearce’s ceiling is very high. He was thought of as a potential first overall pick very early in the draft process, but his stock has fallen since then. He has been productive as a pass rusher at Tennessee, having collected 19.5 sacks in his collegiate career.

Trouble defending against the run as well as some reported maturity issues have contributed to his draft stock dropping. Signs point to Pearce not being a culture fit in Detroit, but if he’s the best player on Brad’s big board at the time, he may move up a couple of spots to draft him. Obviously, there’s no way for us to know what Holmes’ opinion on Pearce is, and that’s why we can’t rule out a potential trade up the board to bring him to the Motor City.

Lions acquire pick No.25 from Houston, select James Pearce Jr.

*Same explanation as before

There’s a chance that the Vikings don’t move off of the 24th overall pick for two reasons. Maybe their guy is available and can’t risk moving down the board, or maybe they aren’t interested in being the team that gives their toughest division rival the guy they want.

Assuming the Vikings pass on a pass rusher, the Lions may try to strike a deal with Houston to jump the Baltimore Ravens, who are a team that’s expected to invest in a pass rusher at some point early in the draft.

Lions acquire pick No.24 from Minnesota, select Marshall DE Mike Green

Mike Green has the highest ceiling of any edge rusher in this class that’s not named Abdul Carter. He has the deepest bag of pass rush moves in this class. Green is able to beat offensive lineman in many different ways. There may be some things he has to work on, but with some good coaching, Green can be an elite defender in the NFL.

I’d like to see him play with his hands in the dirt a little more often, but even as a stand-up pass rusher, he has been extremely productive.

Green has put up 23 sacks and 89 pressures in the last two seasons and boasts a 20.1% pass rush win rate. He’s also proven to be a dominant run defender, posting a 90+ grade in the last two seasons as well. He’s productive at both putting the QB on the ground, and stopping the run, and could have a huge impact on the Lions’ defense.

I can’t backflip, but I may try based on adrenaline if Detroit is lucky enough to snag him on Thursday.

Lions acquire pick No.25 from Houston, select Green

*Same explanation as before

There’s a chance that the Vikings don’t move off of the 24th overall pick for two reasons. Maybe their guy is available and can’t risk moving down the board, or maybe they aren’t interested in being the team that gives their toughest division rival the guy they want.

Assuming the Vikings pass on a pass rusher, the Lions may try to strike a deal with Houston to jump the Baltimore Ravens, who are a team that’s expected to invest in a pass rusher at some point early in the draft.

Lions acquire pick No.24 from Minnesota, select South Carolina DB Nick Emmanwori

Here’s a guy who’s not on too many Lions fans’ radar. Nick Emmanwori is a freak athlete. He scored a stunning 10 out of 10 RAS score as a strong safety but would have also scored a 10 as a free safety, cornerback, and on the offensive side of the ball as a wide receiver, which is just wild.

Is the secondary a pressing need for the Lions? Absolutely not. They invested in two cornerbacks with their first two picks last season and signed D.J Reed, Avonte Maddox, and Rock-Ya Sin this off-season. Not to mention that they have the best safety duo in the NFL with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. However, drafting a player just because they would address a need for the team at a certain position does not matter to Brad Holmes. Never has, never will. It will always be the best player available. Emmanwori has the skill set and the tools to be an elite defender in the league, and I’d say it’s a safe bet that he is high on Holmes’ big board.

Just because it doesn’t fill a need doesn’t mean Emmanwori can’t fit in and be productive for this team. He can play anywhere on defense, probably even as a pass rusher if they ask him, too. The Lions lost some key players in the secondary, including Ifeatu Melifonwu. Emmanwori would be a terrific replacement, and with his talent, he could even be a massive upgrade in that department. It’s also no secret that Detroit was tormented by the injury bug last season. Emmanwori’s versatility would give Detroit the opportunity to plug him in anywhere and play him if they are tested by injuries at different positions on defense.

No safety was better than Emmanwori in coverage last season. He had zero TDs allowed on 417 coverage snaps, four INTs, three PBUs, a 37.1 passer rating allowed, and an 86.8 coverage grade.

Lions acquire pick No.25 from Houston, select Emmanwori

*Same explanation as before

There’s a chance that the Vikings don’t move off of the 24th overall pick for two reasons. Maybe their guy is available and can’t risk moving down the board, or maybe they aren’t interested in being the team that gives their toughest division rival the guy they want.

Assuming the Vikings pass on a pass rusher, the Lions may try to strike a deal with Houston to jump the Baltimore Ravens, who are a team that’s expected to invest in a pass rusher at some point early in the draft.

Wrap-up:

The article may feature a number of prospects, but as we know, the Lions can only settle for one on draft night. This article showcased just how unpredictable draft night is, which is what makes it so thrilling for fans to watch as it plays out.

EDGE, IDL, and OL are, in my opinion, the Lions’ biggest needs heading into draft night. We’ll see what Brad Holmes may have up his sleeve this year.

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