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How did the Detroit Lions do in the 2025 NFL Draft? Arguably not as well as they did from 2021-24 – though there is still room for disagreement.
The Lions made seven draft picks in the 2025 draft, taking defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round and offensive guard Tate Ratledge in the second. Those were the most consequential picks of the draft for a Lions team already looking like a Super Bowl contender, but they arguably weren't the flashiest pick.
That title may go to Detroit's third-round pick, wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, the Michigan-born wideout who caught six touchdown passes in 2025. Though Williams, Ratledge and TeSlaa played in all 17 games in 2025, their rookie-year impacts were relatively muted compared to the rookie seasons of some of their recently-drafted teammates.
Then again, it might be unfair to call the 2025 draft class a disappointment. After all, the NFL presents a difficult adjustment for most rookies, and there's plenty of room to grow for all the players the Lions drafted in 2025.
Let's recap all seven of the Lions' 2025 draft picks.
BIRKETT: Lions QB Jared Goff confident revamped OL will be 'just fine'
Looking for some talent on the interior defensive line, the Lions selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams at No. 28 overall in the 2025 draft. The results in Williams' rookie season were mixed.
Williams played in all 17 games, but started just 10 of them (and only one in the final five weeks) while recording only 18 tackles and two tackles for loss. That's not the type of performance the Lions have come to expect from their first-round picks, but the team has also seen first-round players show great improvements in subsequent years, wide receiver Jameson Williams being the prime example.
Offensive guard Tate Ratledge has been the best performer from the 2025 draft class so far. Ratledge started at guard in all 17 games and appeared on 99% of offensive snaps for the Lions, establishing himself early as an NFL-ready lineman.
The Lions have toyed with the idea of moving him to center, but with the signing of former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays, it appears Ratledge is staying at guard for 2026.
There was arguably no greater 2025 Lions sensation – rookie or otherwise – than 2025 third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa.
The Lions traded both their 2026 third-round picks to draft TeSlaa, and he rewarded the Lions with instant production, catching six touchdown passes and averaging 14.9 yards per reception in 2025. The Lions hope he takes a bigger leap in 2026 as he grows into his role.
The Lions traded up to draft Miles Frazier in the fifth round, hoping to add some depth to the offensive line. Frazier appeared in the final five games of the season on a hobbled Lions offensive line, most notably in a Thursday night blowout of the Dallas Cowboys.
With a healthy Christian Mahogany back on the line for the Lions, Frazier projects to grow into a backup role.
The first Egyptian-raised NFL draftee, defensive end Ahmed Hassanein has been somewhat of a project for the Lions. Initially released ahead of the 2025 season, Hassanein joined the practice squad in November and looks to make his NFL debut in 2026.
The Lions used one of their two seventh-round selections on Georgia safety Dan Jackson. While Jackson showed some promise as a late-round draftee, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a leg injury during training camp and missed the entire 2025 season.
The Lions used their final pick of the 2025 draft on Georgia wideout Dominic Lovett, who appeared in 50 special teams snaps in 2025 while playing in 12 games. Though he didn't record a catch in his rookie season, he did have one kick return for 22 yards in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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You can reach Christian at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions picks in 2025 NFL Draft: Here are all 7 selections
Continue reading...
The Lions made seven draft picks in the 2025 draft, taking defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round and offensive guard Tate Ratledge in the second. Those were the most consequential picks of the draft for a Lions team already looking like a Super Bowl contender, but they arguably weren't the flashiest pick.
That title may go to Detroit's third-round pick, wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, the Michigan-born wideout who caught six touchdown passes in 2025. Though Williams, Ratledge and TeSlaa played in all 17 games in 2025, their rookie-year impacts were relatively muted compared to the rookie seasons of some of their recently-drafted teammates.
Then again, it might be unfair to call the 2025 draft class a disappointment. After all, the NFL presents a difficult adjustment for most rookies, and there's plenty of room to grow for all the players the Lions drafted in 2025.
Let's recap all seven of the Lions' 2025 draft picks.
BIRKETT: Lions QB Jared Goff confident revamped OL will be 'just fine'
First round: DT Tyleik Williams
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Looking for some talent on the interior defensive line, the Lions selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams at No. 28 overall in the 2025 draft. The results in Williams' rookie season were mixed.
Williams played in all 17 games, but started just 10 of them (and only one in the final five weeks) while recording only 18 tackles and two tackles for loss. That's not the type of performance the Lions have come to expect from their first-round picks, but the team has also seen first-round players show great improvements in subsequent years, wide receiver Jameson Williams being the prime example.
Second round: OG Tate Ratledge
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Offensive guard Tate Ratledge has been the best performer from the 2025 draft class so far. Ratledge started at guard in all 17 games and appeared on 99% of offensive snaps for the Lions, establishing himself early as an NFL-ready lineman.
The Lions have toyed with the idea of moving him to center, but with the signing of former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays, it appears Ratledge is staying at guard for 2026.
Third round: WR Isaac TeSlaa
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There was arguably no greater 2025 Lions sensation – rookie or otherwise – than 2025 third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa.
The Lions traded both their 2026 third-round picks to draft TeSlaa, and he rewarded the Lions with instant production, catching six touchdown passes and averaging 14.9 yards per reception in 2025. The Lions hope he takes a bigger leap in 2026 as he grows into his role.
Fifth round: OG Miles Frazier
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The Lions traded up to draft Miles Frazier in the fifth round, hoping to add some depth to the offensive line. Frazier appeared in the final five games of the season on a hobbled Lions offensive line, most notably in a Thursday night blowout of the Dallas Cowboys.
With a healthy Christian Mahogany back on the line for the Lions, Frazier projects to grow into a backup role.
6th round: DE Ahmed Hassanein
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The first Egyptian-raised NFL draftee, defensive end Ahmed Hassanein has been somewhat of a project for the Lions. Initially released ahead of the 2025 season, Hassanein joined the practice squad in November and looks to make his NFL debut in 2026.
Seventh round: S Dan Jackson
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The Lions used one of their two seventh-round selections on Georgia safety Dan Jackson. While Jackson showed some promise as a late-round draftee, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a leg injury during training camp and missed the entire 2025 season.
7th round: WR Dominic Lovett
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The Lions used their final pick of the 2025 draft on Georgia wideout Dominic Lovett, who appeared in 50 special teams snaps in 2025 while playing in 12 games. Though he didn't record a catch in his rookie season, he did have one kick return for 22 yards in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Get daily summaries of Detroit sports! Sign up for our free Sports Briefing newsletter.
You can reach Christian at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions picks in 2025 NFL Draft: Here are all 7 selections
Continue reading...
