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One month separates us from the start of the regular season.

We have gotten some brief looks at the Lions’ rookie class during the pre-season, but I’m sure most of you are as anxious as I am to see the Lions’ new toys on the field when it matters the most in the regular season.

This is obviously not the Lions of old. You’re not guaranteed to come in and take somebody’s spot on the roster. Detroit has assembled one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. Each of these rookies has a chance to strengthen this roster. The question is, what role will they play on a Super Bowl contending team? In this article, I try to predict those answers.

DT – Tyleik Williams

Williams was drafted by the Lions as the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2021 to 2024, where he played in 51 games with 25 starts. His college career statistics include 136 total tackles (56 solo), 28.0 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and 10 pass defenses.

NFL Combine Measurements:

Height: 6-3 – Weight: 334 lbs – Hand Size: 10¼” – Arm Length: 32” – Wingspan: 78⅝”

He reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds at his pro day, although he experienced a cramp during the run.

ROLE: Fill the void, strengthen run defense.

Williams stood out on tape during my pre-draft evaluation for his similarities to his now teammate Alim McNeil. Williams has a quick first step and is violent on initial contact. He also has great body control, and, like McNeil’s evaluation in college, has really promising potential as an interior pass rusher. What we already know about Williams is that he is a spectacular run defender.

Last season, Detroit had a really strong run defense led by McNeil and D.J Reader in the trenches. Unfortunately, McNeil tore his ACL late in the season against the Bills. He will miss some time this season, so what I’m looking for from Williams is to play well enough to fill the void and soften the blow until McNeil gets back.

Reader should still have a very strong run stopping partner in Williams, who can definitely make the run defense even stronger throughout the season. What I hope for is Williams helping a previously lackluster pass rush. Superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson benefited greatly from sharing the defensive line with McNeil. Hopefully, he can benefit from having Williams on the interior as well.

OL – Tate Ratledge

Ratledge was selected by the Lions in the second round (57th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.

He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2020 to 2024. He was a two-time CFP national champion (2021, 2022) and was named an All-American in 2023 and 2024. Last season, he appeared in 10 games (9 starts), allowing 7 pressures and 1.0 sack in 311 pass-blocking snaps.

NFL Combine Stats:

Height: 6’6.5″ – Weight: 308 lbs – 40-yard dash: 4.97 seconds – Vertical jump: 32.0 inches – Broad jump: 9’5″ – 3-cone drill: 7.38 seconds – Bench press: 25 reps (at his pro day)

ROLE: Starter

Ratledge’s role is pretty simple. I believe the Lions expect him to earn one of the spots opened up by Kevin Zeitler leaving in free agency and Frank Ragnow’s retirement.

Graham Glasgow could potentially move to center and Christian Mahogany could earn a starting spot at guard, but even if that is the case (and I don’t believe it will be) I think the coaching staff and front office view him as more valuable than “depth” this season, and I’m confident he will eventually be a starter at either center or guard.

WR – Isaac TeSlaa

TeSlaa was selected by the Lions in the third round (70th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.

He played college football at Hillsdale (MI) College and then transferred to the University of Arkansas. During his college career at Hillsdale, he was named the Great Midwest American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

During his one-and-done season with Arkansas, TeSlaa appeared in 13 games, starting in five of them. He had a total of 28 receptions for 545 yards and three touchdowns. His 19.5 yards per reception ranked him fifth in the SEC and 13th in the FBS. He also participated in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

TeSlaa had a standout performance at the 2025 NFL Combine, earning the top athleticism score among wide receivers with a 96. His results included a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump.

ROLE: Chain mover, RedZone threat

TeSlaa is a local product, playing his first few years of college football 97 miles west of Detroit in Hillsdale. He grew up a Detroit Lions fan and showed up to his pre-draft meeting in a custom “TeSlaa” Lions jersey. The draft room in Detroit doesn’t hide their enthusiasm on draft night and the head coach of the Lions was very excited about adding TeSlaa to the offense.

“I love this guy! I love this guy! Oh my god. Young, Hungry, Tough, Physical. Huge, ton of upside.” – Dan Campbell via Inside The Den on YouTube.

TeSlaa has been the star of the show in camp and during the pre-season games. He showcased his hands and athleticism with the winning touchdown against the Falcons last Friday. His size is exactly what the Lions have been looking for to complete their offense. TeSlaa is 6’4″, 214 pounds. They have been in need of an X’ receiver, and they get that and much more with the rookie out of Arkansas.

TeSlaa has the best hands of any receiver I evaluated since 2020. Detroit has already had arguably the best offense in football for two years, so it’s scary to think they may have found their missing piece.

My favorite TeSlaa tidbit is that he is a fearless, tough, and aggressive run blocker. His run blocking tape is so fun to watch, and it was highlighted in the Lions’ YouTube series “Inside the Den.”. He does not take a play off, and his elite toughness doesn’t just show up in run blocking. He fights through the whistle for every inch of extra yardage, is far from shy when it comes to initiating contact, and has a lot of confidence in his ability.

Thought I was done singing his praises? Not quite. TeSlaa has rare explosiveness and speed for a receiver of his size. His top speed is really impressive. His route running is also very sharp. I believe his role with this team is going to be a very reliable target on third downs. It’s going to be so tough to guard Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and TeSlaa when the Lions look to move the chains. Those three all have really good hands, and it shouldn’t take long for TeSlaa to earn Jared Goff’s trust. Opponents already know what to expect from St. Brown & LaPorta, but they have a new problem to deal with as this rookie joins the conversation. His size (and again his elite hands) could also make him a big weapon in the RedZone.

OL – Miles Frazier

Frazier was selected by the Lions in the fifth round with the 171st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is the first offensive lineman the Lions have selected from LSU since 1988.

He played college football for the FIU Panthers and the LSU Tigers. At FIU, he was a Freshman All-American in 2021. He later transferred to LSU, where he was part of an offensive line that was a Joe Moore Award finalist in 2023. Frazier graduated from LSU in 2024 with a degree in sport administration.

Here are some of his college career stats: Games played: 54 games (50 starts) – Offensive snaps: 3,283 total snaps, with 2,509 coming during his time at LSU. Sacks allowed at LSU: 4 sacks on 1,563 pass-blocking opportunities. He did not allow a sack in 2024. Positions played: Right guard (28 starts), left guard (9 starts), left tackle (11 starts), and right tackle (2 starts).

Frazier’s NFL Combine stats: Height: 6 ft 5 5/8 in – Weight: 317 lbs – Arm Length: 32 3/4 in – Hand Span: 9 in – 40-Yard Dash: 5.24s – 10-Yard Split: 1.79s – 20-Yard Split: 3.01s – 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.84s – Three-Cone Drill: 7.76s – Vertical Jump: 31.0 in – Broad Jump: 9 ft 0 in – Bench Press: 27 reps.

ROLE: OL Depth

Myself and Brad Holmes were on the same page with Frazier. I was a big fan of this pick, and, in-fact, Holmes even confirmed that had he not traded up for TeSlaa, he was targeting Frazer at pick 102. The Lions got him at pick 171.

Unfortunately, he has battled an injury throughout camp, and that is one of the factors in his role this season being a depth piece. I could see him earning a starting spot in the years to come, and with his versatility, I think he’ll get a fair amount of playing time as a backup.

With the changes we have seen on the offensive line, I am glad the Lions addressed it a couple of times in the draft and I am still very high on Mahogany, so I feel solid about Detroit’s o-line once again this season.

EDGE – Ahmed Hassanein

Hassanein was selected by the Lions in the sixth round (196th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Detroit made history by making him the first player of Egyptian heritage to be selected in the NFL draft.

While in Egypt, he was a top-ranked CrossFit athlete for his age group. Hassanein later returned to the United States and played college football for the Boise State Broncos from 2021 to 2024. He was a two-time First-team All-Mountain West selection in 2023 and 2024.

Hassanein appeared in 49 games during his tenure with the Broncos, where he accumulated 119 total tackles (69 solo), 35.0 tackles for loss, and 24.0 sacks. His 24 career sacks place him fourth in program history. In 2024, he started all 14 games, recording 48 tackles (28 solo), 16.0 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, in addition to one fumble recovery.

At the 2025 NFL Combine, Hassanein’s stats were as follows: Height: 6-foot-2, 267 pounds – 40-yard dash: 4.77 seconds – Bench press: 27 reps – Vertical jump: 32.5 inches – Broad jump: 9 feet, 5 inches.

ROLE: Impactful pass rusher

It was so cool to see the Lions draft Hassanein, making him the first Egyptian player drafted. I even called this pick well before it happened in an article I wrote highlighting the possibility.

He was very productive at Boise State and has as good of a work ethic as anyone on the team. His background in combat sports like boxing, wrestling, judo, and jujitsu has contributed to his physical and aggressive playing style on the field, and also contributes to his high motor.

His low missed tackle rate and high number of defensive stops makes him a very promising prospect who could have a very good professional career in football.

Hutchinson has needed help on the opposite side of the defensive line since his rookie year. I firmly believe that Hassanein could be that guy. He’s obviously going to compete with Marcus Davenport, among others, for a starting spot, but I have confidence in his ability.

S – Dan Jackson (*out for the season)

Jackson was selected by the Lions in the seventh round (230th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.

He played four seasons at the University of Georgia (2021-2024), where he was a walk-on who earned a starting position. Jackson was part of two CFP national championship-winning teams (2021 and 2022) and was a two-time SEC Champion (2022 and 2024). He was also named Third-team All-SEC in 2024.

He had a total of 140 tackles, five pass defenses, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles. In 2024, he appeared in 14 games, had 64 tackles, two interceptions, and two tackles for loss.

Jackson was not invited to the NFL Combine, but he did participate in the University of Georgia’s Pro Day. His results from that Pro Day were: Height: 6’0″ – Weight: 194 lbs – 40-yard dash: 4.45s / 4.46s / 4.48s (reported results vary slightly) – Vertical jump: 34″ – Broad jump: 10’3″ – Shuttle: 4.33s / 4.36s (reported results vary slightly) – 3-cone drill: 7.12s – Hand: 9⅝” – Arm: 32⅛” – Wingspan: 79½”.

ROLE: Recover

Jackson already had an uphill climb to make the roster. Now that hill is even steeper and he can’t begin his ascent until 2026.

WR – Dominic Lovett

Lovett was the 244th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, selected in the 7th round by the Lions.

He played college football at the University of Missouri (2021-2022) and the University of Georgia (2023-2024).

During his college career, Lovett earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2022 while at Missouri and was a participant in the 2025 Senior Bowl.

Last season with the Bulldogs, Lovett had 59 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns.

Lovett’s NFL Combine results are as follows: Height: 5-10 – Weight: 185 lbs – 40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds – Vertical jump: 33.5 inches – Broad jump: 10’0″ – Arm length: 31 3/8 inches – Hand size: 9 1/4 inches.

ROLE: Special teams specialist

Lovett is explosive and has great speed. He has been solid at times, but has also had a few bad drops during the pre-season.

I don’t see a clear path for Lovett to get higher than sixth on the depth chart when everyone is healthy. I can’t see him passing Kalif Raymond, Tim Patrick, or TeSlaa, and obviously St. Brown and Jameson Williams have the top two spots on the depth chart locked down.

Lovett would likely be fifth on the chart until Raymond recovers, but his best shot at making the team is on special teams. His speed would be really valuable in a punt/kick return role, and the Lions need someone new to handle that position while Raymond gets healthy.

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