The Detroit Lions are projected to select Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer in the first round of the latest mock draft.
As the 2025 offseason begins, the Detroit Lions appear to have a clear focus on upgrading their roster. Despite criticism of Jared Goff’s performance in their playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, it was the defense that allowed 38 points and gave up over 30 points in four of their last six games.
Considering this, Athlon Sports draft analyst Luke Easterling expects the Lions to prioritize defense in the upcoming draft. In his latest mock draft, he predicts the Lions will select Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer in the first round.
Sawyer stood out in this year’s college football playoff, recording four and a half sacks in three games against Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas.
However, this equaled his total sacks from the first 12 games of the season. Over his three college seasons, he never surpassed six and a half sacks in a year.
The Lions need players who can finish plays. In 2024, their defense ranked fourth in the league with a 26.2% pressure rate, but they struggled to turn that pressure into sacks.
They recorded zero sacks in their playoff loss to the Commanders and had the 10th-fewest sacks in the regular season. While edge rusher is a clear need, other players at the position may fit better.
The Lions’ second-round pick in this mock draft appears to address another pressing need. Despite drafting two corners with
