It's finally time for the 32 teams around the NFL to look to improve their rosters with the newest batch of young talent to enter the league via the NFL Draft in Green Bay this weekend.
The mock draft cycle has been spitting out predictions for months, but here is the last chance to get it right. What do the mocks have the Lions doing in the first round at pick No. 28? Let's find out:
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
Why: I'm not fully convinced Williams makes it this far, but if he does, the Lions should be thrilled. He's exactly the type of ascending prospect and body type Detroit seems to want on the edge.
Edholm's full mock
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Why: Booker's powerful presence would help fill the huge hole left by Kevin Zeitler on the Lions' offensive line. Though he played primarily on the left side, Booker logged time at left and right guard at Alabama, and veteran Graham Glasgow has started on both sides, setting the team up to find a combination that maintains the strength of Detroit's top unit.
Reuter's full seven-round mock
Marc Ross, NFL.com: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Why: General manager Brad Holmes isn't one to make the moves people expect, but he has built a great roster in Detroit. So while the Lions have bigger in the trenches, they snag Burden in an effort to offset the loss of OC Ben Johnson and maintain their offensive dominance. A standout in the SEC, Burden has a similar playing style to Amon-Ra St. Brown and can work underneath with Jameson Williams stretching the field.
Ross' full mock
Adam Rank, NFL.com: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Why: Ezeiruaku would be a really nice get for a defense that surely cannot get enough depth on the defensive line. Adding a guy NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared to Yannick Ngakoue is never a bad idea.
Rank's full mock
View photos from offseason workouts on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) and quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Abraham Beauplan (48) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ezekiel Turner (47) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) and Brock Wright (89) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Kenny Yeboah (88) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (9) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Fromm (18) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Mike Band, NFL.com: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Why: A naturally powerful guard who excelled on Alabama's left side, Booker could slide to right guard to fill Zeitler's vacancy, keeping Detroit's O-line among the league's elite units. His blend of size, strength and technique aligns with Dan Campbell's gritty, physical brand of football.
Band's full mock
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M (No. 26 in trade with Rams)
Why: A former five-star recruit out of the Miami area, Stewart is a long, large, freak-show athlete who predictably blew up the Combine. And despite the routinely cited sack figures (exactly 1.5 in each of his three college seasons), he led a talented A&M D-line with 39 pressures last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Filice's full mock
Jordan Reid, ESPN: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Why: Zabel has checked boxes during each step of the pre-draft process and fits right in as a tough and sturdy blocker. He had one of the most impressive performances at the Senior Bowl regardless of position, which he carried over to the Combine.
Reid's full seven-round mock
Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates, ESPN: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
Why: We talk a lot about the Lions' pass-rush hole opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Let's fix it. Williams can beat blockers with his explosiveness, and he has even more upside for new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to unlock.
Kiper and Yates' full mock
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Why: The Lions were absolutely destroyed by injuries along their defensive line in 2024, so they select one of the best at pressuring the quarterback from the defensive tackle spot at the FBS level, and he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds. That will play alongside Hutchinson.
Podell's full mock
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
Why: My comp for Stewart is Darius Robinson, the Cardinals first-rounder a year ago. The production hasn't been there but once it's unlocked he has a chance to be special.
Wilson's full mock
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Why: Scourton is a heavier, three-down defensive end with a high motor, pass-rush moves ready to go, and positional versatility. He's what the Lions need most.
Trapasso's full mock
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Why: The Lions are in the market for a guard, and while Conerly's a tackle, I can see a scenario in which the Lions take Conerly, play him at guard, and then move him to tackle later. Or maybe he just sticks at guard.
Edwards' full mock
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Why: "The thing I love most about football is taking the love away from other people." That's what Alabama standout guard Tyler Booker said during his podium session at the NFL Scouting Combine. That sounds like the perfect player for Campbell.
Stackpole's full mock
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
Why: They lost their right guard, Zeitler, in free agency, so taking Jackson makes sense. He can also play tackle, which he did last year at Ohio State. But his top position is guard.
Prisco's full mock
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)
Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Why: Detroit obviously needs an edge rusher, but great teams keep their strengths strong. Conerly has a great athletic background that showed in his pre-draft testing, and Campbell will love how much he loves ball.
Jones' full mock
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Why: Even with Hutchinson coming back from injury, the Lions need to add another pass-rushing piece opposite of him. Ezeiruaku is coming off a final collegiate season at Boston College where he tallied 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Sullivan's full mock
Pro Football Focus staff: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (No. 22 after trade with Chargers)
Why: Walker — a pass rusher with elite potential who can also play off the ball and, by all accounts, is of extremely high character — is an obvious Lions target. He recorded a 17.2% pass-rush win rate at Georgia last year and is expected to be selected much earlier than 22nd overall in the actual 2025 NFL Draft.
PFF's full mock
Tyler Dragon, USA Today: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Why: The ACC Defensive Player of the Year finished second in the FBS with 16.5 sacks and third with 20.5 tackles for loss. The Lions' defense was ravaged by injuries this past season and needs more depth up front.
Dragon's full mock
Geoff Schwartz, Fox Sports: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Why: The Lions need all the help they can get in the secondary and Hairston will be the pick here for that reason. A healthy Lions defense with Hairston is a good start toward a better defense in 2025.
Schwartz's full mock
Seth Quinn, Newsweek: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
Why: Stewart is a nice prospect for a team that can afford to have patience with his development. The Lions fit that bill, and need a pass rusher. Stewart's athleticism is off the charts, but his college production doesn't quite line up. Campbell seems like a great coach to get the most out of him.
Quinn's full mock
