The big day is finally here. The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off tonight at 8 p.m. EDT in Green Bay.
The Lions have a solid roster heading into draft weekend, which gives GM Brad Holmes plenty of flexibility with the No. 28 overall pick. If the Lions stay at 28, who will they select?
I asked the Detroitlions.com crew, and here's what they had to say:
Tim Twentyman: OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part he makes it this far because I think he's a perfect fit in Detroit. Zabel is one of my favorite prospects in the class because of the versatility he offers upfront. He was an All-American left tackle but has also started at right tackle and both guard spots.
He focused on playing some center in the pre-draft process — he played there at the Senior Bowl and was terrific — and could be one of those rare O-line prospects who can play all five spots if needed. Zabel is tough, technically sound and excels as a run blocker. His leadership and character traits are off the charts too. All things that fit Detroit.
Dannie Rogers: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
First thing's first, I don't see Holmes trading out of the first round. I do anticipate most fans favoring an Edge or offensive lineman calling Detroit home after night one. However, Holmes selecting back-to-back defensive backs last year with the draft in the Motor City makes me want to go in the opposite direction of what my gut is telling me (Edge) and pivot towards the wide receiver position.
I'm eyeing the Detroit Lions selecting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa "T-Mac" McMillan in the first round. This is the year Detroit can draft their lengthy downfield target to help open up the offense more in 2025. McMillan registered two seasons in a row of 1,300-plus receiving yards. He had a six-week drought in 2025 without a touchdown, but still registered over 100 yards in two of those games.
I'm having fun with this pick this year and T-Mac is my top choice.
Cole Bambini: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
I agree with Tim that Zabel would fit perfectly in Detroit, but I think he will be off the board by No. 28. My inclination leans toward Detroit drafting an edge rusher and Ezeiruaku fits the bill. Ezeiruaku would provide youth and depth on the edge to support Marcus Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson.
This past season, he ranked second and third in the FBS with 16.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss, respectively, and won the Ted Hendricks Award for the nation's best defensive end — the same honor Hutchinson won in 2021 while at Michigan. Ezeiruaku, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, is explosive off the snap, allowing him to be a disruptive force in the backfield to help a Lions' defense that struggled to sack the quarterback in 2024.
As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, let's take a look back at Detroit Lions players and their draft experiences.
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson shakes hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Detroit Lions as the second pick in the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold on the phone while being chosen by the Detroit Lions with the 24th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft at the 2024 NFL football draft Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Detroit. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) holds up his jersey on stage after he is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the first overall pick during the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre on Thursday, April 28, 2016 in Chicago. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
A Detroit Lions fan, left, who was chosen to be on stage, points to an image of the team's first-round pick Penei Sewell, an offensive lineman from Oregon, on the display on stage at the NFL football draft, Thursday April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson stands next to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Detroit Lions as the second pick in the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Detroit Lions with the 12th pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher )
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams walks towards the stage after being selected by the Detroit Lions during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 28, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 28, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs meets Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 28, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell speaks to the media at a press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 28, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, and Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 28, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Penei Sewell arrives to Allen Park during the 2021 NFL DRAFT - Day 3 (AP Photo)
Penei Sewell arrives to Allen Park during the 2021 NFL DRAFT - Day 3 (AP Photo)
Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, poses with a fan after the Detroit Lions selected Frank Ragnow during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The Detroit Lions first-round NFL football draft pick Frank Ragnow addresses the media, Friday, April 27, 2018, in Allen Park, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) shakes hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the first pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL football draft, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport on the phone in the green room during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams during a visit to the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 29, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold with Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during his visit to the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 26, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold poses being chosen by the Detroit Lions with the 24th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch celebrates after being chosen by the Detroit Lions during the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Editor's Pick: OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
If it falls right, the end of the first round can be a great place to find value at the interior offensive line position. Jackson's athleticism makes him a perfect fit for the Lions here.
He primarily played at left guard for Ohio State, but started nine games at left tackle this past season (filling in for injured starter Josh Simmons) so he has some position versatility. Jackson was named First-team All-Big Ten and Second-team Associated Press All-American for the national champion Buckeyes.
