5 Positions of Need for the Detroit Lions Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft
With the NFL Draft approaching, every team is looking to bolster their roster with young talent who can contribute right away. For the Detroit Lions, this draft marks GM Brad Holmes’ fifth at the helm—and if history is any indicator, Detroit is poised to add more key pieces to its ascending roster.
Holmes has consistently trusted his draft board, balancing best-player-available strategies with calculated trades. Over the last four drafts, he’s brought in foundational talent like offensive tackle Penei Sewell, tight end Sam LaPorta, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and defensive contributors such as Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Alim McNeill, and Terrion Arnold.
This year, Holmes has seven picks in hand and arguably the most complete roster he’s had since taking over. Still, depth and future planning are always part of the equation. Here are five positions the Lions could prioritize in the 2025 NFL Draft:
1. EDGE RUSHER
This year’s draft class is loaded with elite edge rushers, offering value deep into Day 2. Detroit already boasts one of the best in the league with Aidan Hutchinson, who returns from a broken leg. Opposite him, the team is hopeful that Marcus Davenport—back from injury—can make an impact. Others like Al-Quadin Muhammad, Levi Onwuzurike, and Josh Paschal offer rotational help, though some are better suited inside. Despite strong pressure numbers, the Lions ranked just 23rd in sacks last season. They’ll be looking to add another explosive threat off the edge.
2. SAFETY
While Joseph and Branch form a top-tier safety duo, depth behind them is thin. The addition of Avonte Maddox offers some flexibility, as he can also line up at safety. Still, adding a young safety to develop behind the starters could be a smart long-term investment.
3. INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
Detroit’s offensive line remains one of the NFL’s best, but they lost starting right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency. Veteran Graham Glasgow is back but coming off a slightly down year. Christian Mahogany showed promise in limited snaps as a rookie, and there’s talk of Giovanni Manu getting some reps at guard. Still, the Lions could find good value late in the first round or early Day 2, especially with several quality interior linemen in this draft class.
4. DEFENSIVE TACKLE
The Lions like the group they’ve assembled inside, with starters Alim McNeill and DJ Reader returning. However, McNeill is recovering from a late-season ACL tear and may miss the start of 2025. They added veteran Roy Lopez and brought back Onwuzurike, Paschal, and O’Connor, but with many of them under contract only through 2025, the team may look to inject some young depth into the position.
5. WIDE RECEIVER
The Lions return their top four receivers, but the long-term outlook is less certain. Tim Patrick is on a one-year deal, Kalif Raymond is entering the final year of his contract, and Jameson Williams’ future beyond his fifth-year option remains unclear. With Amon-Ra St. Brown already locked into a lucrative deal, it could be tough to retain everyone. Drafting a young, speedy receiver to groom as a potential future starter—or insurance policy—would be a forward-thinking move.
