The Detroit Lions have established themselves as one of the NFL’s elite teams. As a result, they earned a first-round playoff bye and will watch the initial weekend of games from home. With no game to prepare for, it’s the perfect time for a mock draft projection.
After finishing the season with a 15-2 record, the Lions have few glaring roster holes. Assuming success in the postseason, Detroit will likely select near the end of the first round. The exact order for the 2025 NFL Draft remains undecided until the playoffs conclude.
Using Pro Football Network’s simulator, here’s a four-round mock draft for the Lions. Detroit owns picks No. 31, No. 63, and No. 129. Their third-round pick belongs to the New York Jets due to the trade-up for offensive lineman Giovanni Manu.
Lions Mock Draft 2025
Round 1, Pick 31: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Detroit needs a long-term edge rusher to complement star Aidan Hutchinson. No other player on the roster recorded more than five sacks in 2024, and Za’Darius Smith becomes a free agent in 2026.
Shemar Stewart brings a high motor, athleticism, and versatility, with the ability to rush off the edge or slide inside. At Texas A&M, Stewart tallied 65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and four passes defensed. He could grow into a strong pass-rushing option alongside Hutchinson, one of the league’s top defenders.
Round 2, Pick 63: OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia
Detroit’s interior offensive line may be a bigger concern than it seems. Veteran Kevin Zeitler, 34, will hit free agency after this season, and Graham Glasgow is not irreplaceable. While Christian Mahogany could solidify one guard spot, the Lions may need another starter.
Tate Ratledge, a dominant three-year starter at Georgia, excelled in both pass protection and run blocking. His impressive blocking metrics and low pressure rate allowed rank him among the best guards in 2023. Ratledge could step in as a starter for Detroit right away.
Round 4, Pick 129: DB Malachi Moore, Alabama
After drafting Alabama defensive backs Brian Branch in 2023 and Terrion Arnold in 2024, the Lions stay on that path by selecting Malachi Moore in 2025.
In 2024, Moore logged 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and eight passes defensed. With 64 games of SEC experience, he could contribute
