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The final 7-round Lions mock draft from our Russell Brown.
Under Brad Holmes, it's been a guessing game on what the Detroit Lions will do in the first round of the NFL Draft. It's no different this year. We could see the Lions take a defensive lineman but judging by the comments made by Holmes and Campbell, they're not drafting for need.
They're looking to draft good football players.
Maybe the defensive lineman that is highest on their board will fall into their lap with the 28th pick. Or maybe they surprise everyone and draft a wide receiver. However, the run on the offensive tackles (Kelvin Banks Jr, Armand Membou and Will Campbell), may force the Lions to consider an offensive lineman much earlier than expected. In this instance, the player that makes so much sense from a culture and play-style standpoint is Tyler Booker from Alabama.
Not as quick laterally compared to other interior offensive linemen in this class, but his mauling style is much needed in Detroit. With Christian Mahogany and Graham Glasgow penciled in as the starters at both guard positions, it's not exactly a guarantee that Booker would play right away in Detroit. However, he may just be too talented to sit on the bench.
We saw a decline in play from Glasgow last season and despite flashes of dominance from Mahogany, nothing is guaranteed. By adding Booker, the Lions get an impactful left guard who can play right away if needed. His want to make "guys not want to play football anymore" fits exactly to what the Lions are looking for up front. If Booker is available, I don't think the Lions will wait very long to make the pick.
As I mentioned previously, the Lions could end up taking a defensive lineman in the first round. If that's the case, I don't believe they'll double dip and take on in the second round. In my final mock draft, you can see that I'm passing on taking one in the first round. But taking one in the 2nd round, after a trade down, is too good to pass up.
When listening to Jack Sawyer speak about who he is as a football player, it's reminiscent to what they've been looking for in football players. Sawyer says he's different from other players due to his "grit and passion for the game of football." I can see the tears in Dan Campbell's eye now.
Often described as a "poor man's Aidan Hutchinson", you can see some resemblance between the game of Hutch and Sawyer. When watching the Ohio State edge rusher, you'll see a high-motored player who can work through and under blocks and his toughness really stands out. Despite having shorter arms (31 3/4"), does his best to set the edge and fight pressure with pressure. He'll need to get stronger and his hand usage will need some refinement. Pairing Sawyer up with Hutchinson, Davenport and Paschal could end up being productive sooner rather than later.
Staying in the trenches, I've got the Lions drafting another lineman. None of this is sexy for the average fan, but for me, it's exactly what the Lions need. With the doubt around Alim McNeill's availability to start the season due to his torn ACL, it's imperative that an interior defender is added to the roster.
Earning a 3rd round grade on my draft board, I think Caldwell could have a similar impact as McNeill did as a day two pick. When watching Caldwell, he plays with very good lateral quickness and displays a never-ending motor with how he chases down backside tackles. He's got some balance concerns as he can get knocked around at times and there are questions on if he can be a 3-down player or not. There's a chance that he's not available this late into the 4th round but if the Lions come within striking distance of Caldwell, he would make a lot of sense for the depth of their defensive line.
It's no secret that Malachi Moore is one of my favorite players in this draft. In fact, he would be talked about more had he not gotten banged up this past season. He was playing through a sports hernia and ended up getting surgery at the end of the 2024 season. Regardless, he fits the exact type of player the Lions look for in their secondary.
Despite signing Kerby Joseph to a four-year extension, the Lions have limited depth behind Joseph and Branch. Drafting a safety will be a priority at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft. By adding Moore, they get a player that is physical, buzzes down in a hurry and can cover the slot or tight ends when needed. His long speed will get tested and there are times that he doesn't properly locate the football but overall, Moore can play a similar role as Ifeatu Melifonwu did the last two seasons.
As I mentioned earlier, I could see the Lions drafting a wide receiver much sooner than this. After all, Brad Holmes acknowledged that it's going to be tough to pay Jameson Williams. Meanwhile, Dan Campbell has said that he'd like to see the team get younger at wide receiver. That makes sense with Tim Patrick (31) and Kalif Raymond (30) aren't getting any younger.
One of the more underrated players that I watched this draft cycle was Chimere Dike from Florida. Measuring 6' 0" and 197 pounds, Dike ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds and posted a 38 1/2" vertical jump. An explosive and athletic mover, he was used all over a bad Florida offense.
Whether it was coming off a glide motion to run a crosser over the middle of the field or catching a designed screen pass, there's much to be desired with Dike and what he can provide as a 3rd or 4th receiver. He'll play his entire rookie season at 22-years old and his better days of football could certainly be ahead of him. Especially if it's in Detroit.
I've put Jackson Hawes in previous mock drafts and he just makes so much sense for Detroit. Hawes seems like a perfect fit not just for the physical demeanor he plays with but also with the way he carried himself during interviews with the media. He labels himself as a player with "a salty demeanor on the field."
On film, he immediately stands out for the way that he blocks. He maintains a square base, good pad level and the desired play strength to move defenders consistently in the run game. Limited as a pass catcher with only 16 receptions this past season, the Lions would simply be adding Hawes for depth purposes when they align in '12' and '13' personnel. They could obviously develop him into more but that will have to come with time for the 24-year old draft prospect.
In the 7th round, we're throwing a dart at the board and hoping that it sticks. The Lions have done some work on linebackers in this draft so it wouldn't be surprising if they took one sooner. That said, Chandler Martin from Memphis is very intriguing and his athletic profile is very similar to a former Detroit Lion, Kwon Alexander.
Martin checked into the Memphis Pro Day at 5' 11" and 229 pounds with a 40-yard dash of 4.55 seconds. When watching Martin, you'll see a player that is limited by his arm length but he plays with urgency and gets to his spots quickly. Whether it be dropping in coverage or scraping over the top, there's plenty to work with as a depth pick in Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Final Detroit Lions 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
Continue reading...
1st Round: 28th Overall -- Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Under Brad Holmes, it's been a guessing game on what the Detroit Lions will do in the first round of the NFL Draft. It's no different this year. We could see the Lions take a defensive lineman but judging by the comments made by Holmes and Campbell, they're not drafting for need.
They're looking to draft good football players.
Maybe the defensive lineman that is highest on their board will fall into their lap with the 28th pick. Or maybe they surprise everyone and draft a wide receiver. However, the run on the offensive tackles (Kelvin Banks Jr, Armand Membou and Will Campbell), may force the Lions to consider an offensive lineman much earlier than expected. In this instance, the player that makes so much sense from a culture and play-style standpoint is Tyler Booker from Alabama.
Not as quick laterally compared to other interior offensive linemen in this class, but his mauling style is much needed in Detroit. With Christian Mahogany and Graham Glasgow penciled in as the starters at both guard positions, it's not exactly a guarantee that Booker would play right away in Detroit. However, he may just be too talented to sit on the bench.
We saw a decline in play from Glasgow last season and despite flashes of dominance from Mahogany, nothing is guaranteed. By adding Booker, the Lions get an impactful left guard who can play right away if needed. His want to make "guys not want to play football anymore" fits exactly to what the Lions are looking for up front. If Booker is available, I don't think the Lions will wait very long to make the pick.
2nd Round: 63rd Overall -- Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
As I mentioned previously, the Lions could end up taking a defensive lineman in the first round. If that's the case, I don't believe they'll double dip and take on in the second round. In my final mock draft, you can see that I'm passing on taking one in the first round. But taking one in the 2nd round, after a trade down, is too good to pass up.
When listening to Jack Sawyer speak about who he is as a football player, it's reminiscent to what they've been looking for in football players. Sawyer says he's different from other players due to his "grit and passion for the game of football." I can see the tears in Dan Campbell's eye now.
Often described as a "poor man's Aidan Hutchinson", you can see some resemblance between the game of Hutch and Sawyer. When watching the Ohio State edge rusher, you'll see a high-motored player who can work through and under blocks and his toughness really stands out. Despite having shorter arms (31 3/4"), does his best to set the edge and fight pressure with pressure. He'll need to get stronger and his hand usage will need some refinement. Pairing Sawyer up with Hutchinson, Davenport and Paschal could end up being productive sooner rather than later.
- Mock Trade Details:
- KC Receives: Pick 60
- DET Receives: Pick 63 + 2026 3rd Round Pick
4th Round: 115th Overall -- Jamaree Caldwell, IDL, Oregon
Staying in the trenches, I've got the Lions drafting another lineman. None of this is sexy for the average fan, but for me, it's exactly what the Lions need. With the doubt around Alim McNeill's availability to start the season due to his torn ACL, it's imperative that an interior defender is added to the roster.
Earning a 3rd round grade on my draft board, I think Caldwell could have a similar impact as McNeill did as a day two pick. When watching Caldwell, he plays with very good lateral quickness and displays a never-ending motor with how he chases down backside tackles. He's got some balance concerns as he can get knocked around at times and there are questions on if he can be a 3-down player or not. There's a chance that he's not available this late into the 4th round but if the Lions come within striking distance of Caldwell, he would make a lot of sense for the depth of their defensive line.
- Mock Trade Details:
- ARI Receives: Pick 102
- DET Receives: Pick 115 + Pick 152
4th Round: 130th Overall -- Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
It's no secret that Malachi Moore is one of my favorite players in this draft. In fact, he would be talked about more had he not gotten banged up this past season. He was playing through a sports hernia and ended up getting surgery at the end of the 2024 season. Regardless, he fits the exact type of player the Lions look for in their secondary.
Despite signing Kerby Joseph to a four-year extension, the Lions have limited depth behind Joseph and Branch. Drafting a safety will be a priority at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft. By adding Moore, they get a player that is physical, buzzes down in a hurry and can cover the slot or tight ends when needed. His long speed will get tested and there are times that he doesn't properly locate the football but overall, Moore can play a similar role as Ifeatu Melifonwu did the last two seasons.
5th Round: 152nd Overall -- Chimere Dike, WR, Florida
As I mentioned earlier, I could see the Lions drafting a wide receiver much sooner than this. After all, Brad Holmes acknowledged that it's going to be tough to pay Jameson Williams. Meanwhile, Dan Campbell has said that he'd like to see the team get younger at wide receiver. That makes sense with Tim Patrick (31) and Kalif Raymond (30) aren't getting any younger.
One of the more underrated players that I watched this draft cycle was Chimere Dike from Florida. Measuring 6' 0" and 197 pounds, Dike ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds and posted a 38 1/2" vertical jump. An explosive and athletic mover, he was used all over a bad Florida offense.
Whether it was coming off a glide motion to run a crosser over the middle of the field or catching a designed screen pass, there's much to be desired with Dike and what he can provide as a 3rd or 4th receiver. He'll play his entire rookie season at 22-years old and his better days of football could certainly be ahead of him. Especially if it's in Detroit.
6th Round: 196th Overall -- Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
I've put Jackson Hawes in previous mock drafts and he just makes so much sense for Detroit. Hawes seems like a perfect fit not just for the physical demeanor he plays with but also with the way he carried himself during interviews with the media. He labels himself as a player with "a salty demeanor on the field."
On film, he immediately stands out for the way that he blocks. He maintains a square base, good pad level and the desired play strength to move defenders consistently in the run game. Limited as a pass catcher with only 16 receptions this past season, the Lions would simply be adding Hawes for depth purposes when they align in '12' and '13' personnel. They could obviously develop him into more but that will have to come with time for the 24-year old draft prospect.
7th Round: 218th Overall -- Chandler Martin, LB, Memphis
In the 7th round, we're throwing a dart at the board and hoping that it sticks. The Lions have done some work on linebackers in this draft so it wouldn't be surprising if they took one sooner. That said, Chandler Martin from Memphis is very intriguing and his athletic profile is very similar to a former Detroit Lion, Kwon Alexander.
Martin checked into the Memphis Pro Day at 5' 11" and 229 pounds with a 40-yard dash of 4.55 seconds. When watching Martin, you'll see a player that is limited by his arm length but he plays with urgency and gets to his spots quickly. Whether it be dropping in coverage or scraping over the top, there's plenty to work with as a depth pick in Detroit.
- Mock Trade Details:
- ATL Receives: Pick 228 + Pick 244
- DET Receives: Pick 218
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Final Detroit Lions 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
Continue reading...
