The Detroit Lions’ approach to the 2025 draft is straightforward, focusing on filling key gaps rather than making things overly complex. With the East-West Shrine Bowl and notably the Senior Bowl now concluded, the early stages of the pre-draft process are behind us, marking the beginning of the busy mock draft season. Currently, the Lions hold seven picks, with the first two picks (No. 28 and No. 60) already locked in.
Here’s how a post-Senior Bowl three-round mock draft for the Lions unfolded using the Pro Football Network’s simulator:
First Round, Pick No. 28: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Green had already been viewed as a potential first-round selection before the Senior Bowl, and the event served as a significant opportunity to see how he would perform against stronger competition. He showcased his skills in one-on-one pass rush reps, even impressing with a standout play where he dominated Oregon tackle Josh Conerly, a fellow first-round prospect. He carried that strong performance into team drills. Green eased any concerns about his weight by weighing in at 251 pounds and continued to prove himself as a well-rounded edge rusher with impressive stats, including 17 sacks, 84 tackles, and 23 tackles for loss in his recent season at Marshall. He seems like a natural fit for the Lions’ defense, and while there’s a good chance he could be gone before pick No. 28, he’s available here, making him an easy choice.
Second Round, Pick No. 60: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
The Lions missed the chance to acquire a reliable replacement for Josh Reynolds last offseason and are unlikely to make the same mistake again. With Tim Patrick set to hit free agency, there’s a possibility the Lions might look for a new option at receiver either through free agency or the draft. Higgins offers a solid solution as a WR3. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds, he brings both physicality and agility, excelling in contested catches and showing surprising quickness and route-running for his size. Over his two years at Iowa State, after transferring from Eastern Kentucky, Higgins caught 62 passes of 15 yards or more, ranking third in the FBS. His performance at the Senior Bowl also demonstrated his improvement in route separation, making him an excellent value pick for the Lions at this stage.
Third Round, Pick No. 100: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, LSU
With the Lions’ guard situation in flux, particularly with Kevin Zeitler set to become a free agent and Graham Glasgow coming off a disappointing year, adding depth and competition along the offensive line is critical. Torrence spent much of his career at LSU as a right guard and delivered consistently strong performances, allowing just 19 quarterback pressures over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps during his last two seasons. He even showcased versatility by playing every position except center during his five years at LSU, making him an intriguing prospect for the Lions’ offensive line depth. Torrence could provide valuable competition at guard, and while he might not start immediately, he offers significant upside.
