DETROIT -- The 2025 NFL draft began Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With their first pick, the Detroit Lions selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams at No. 28 overall.
Here's a look at Detroit's selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 28 overall: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
My take: There's a possibility starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill could miss the beginning of 2025 as he recovers from a torn ACL that ended his season last year, so drafting Williams gives the team a security blanket at the position. Williams was a two-year starter at Ohio State. He has experience in big games and will be ready to help immediately on a Lions defensive line that was wiped out by injuries late last season.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole? Although McNeill is viewed as a cornerstone piece in Detroit and agreed to a four-year extension in October, the Lions also see Williams as someone who can add depth and fill an immediate hole due to his versatility. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said Williams has some untapped pass rushing potential that didn't always show in college. "With the depth that we have, that stabilized that position for the immediate but also that's what's so great about this pick is that we thought Tyleik was a great fit for the now and the immediate but even more excited for the future when we look years ahead," Holmes said.
What we're hearing about Williams: "Obviously, been watching him for a really long time. He's played a lot of football there (at Ohio State) at a very consistent level and he just has a lot of traits and qualities that we're looking for and he's gonna fit right in here like a glove. So, we spent a lot of time with him during the process leading up to this and we were very, very impressed after each time that we were able to spend time with him." -- Holmes.
What's next: Holmes isn't big on adding players solely to fill a positional need. He prioritizes talented players who fit what Detroit values. Still, the Lions need help on the edge to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson, and they could go after another talented wide receiver to add depth. They could also potentially draft an offensive guard after losing Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason. Entering Day 2, Holmes said he has some ideas in mind about potential edge rushers but will wait to see how things unfold.
Round 2, No. 57 overall (from Denver): Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia
My take: Detroit traded up three spots from pick No. 60 to 57 to address a need on the offensive line. Ratledge can help add depth in Zeitler's absence while also fulfilling a hole within the unit. Ratledge is a three-year starter at right guard who made 37 career starts over his five seasons at Georgia and brings experience to a team that's focused on winning now.
Key stat for this player: Since Ratledge became a starter in 2022, Georgia's average yards per play jumped from 6.3 when he was off the field to 7.1 when he was on. As a starter, Ratledge allowed pressures on 1% of his pass blocks, which was13th-best among SEC guards, per ESPN Research. Ratledge has 1,987 snaps at right guard since 2022, which is second-most in the SEC behind Javontez Spraggins of Tennessee (2,284). It'll be difficult to fill the role of Zeitler, whose 13,364 total plays leads the NFL since 2012, but the Lions have addressed this position after losing a key piece.
Round 3, No. 70 overall (from Jacksonville): Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
My take: Holmes made his second trade of the night, moving up 32 spots to land another offensive playmaker in TeSlaa. This pick adds depth at wide receiver behind All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and speedster Jameson Williams, who accounted for 78% of receiving yards by Lions wide receivers last season (2,264 of 2,909 yards). At 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, TeSlaa was viewed as a sleeper pick entering the draft due to his speed and explosion at his size.
Will he start as a rookie? With St. Brown, Williams, Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick all expected to contribute at receiver, it's unlikely TeSlaa will walk into a starting role. However, he could carve out a role, perhaps on gadget plays. TeSlaa averaged 19.5 yards per catch last season, which was the fifth-most in the SEC, and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. He could thrive in the slot and become a threat in the middle of the field with his frame.
What's next: Detroit has addressed team needs at defensive tackle, guard and wide receiver on Day 2, but at some point, it seems likely they will add another edge rusher to the mix before the draft's conclusion.
Round 5: No. 171 (from New England): Miles Frazier, G, LSU
My take: The Lions traded up for the third time of the draft to select Frazier, who adds depth to their offensive line. Following Day 2, Lions GM Brad Holmes said the team "wanted to add more youth into the offensive line" and he stuck to his word by bringing in another guard. Since the start of 2023, Frazier has only allowed three pressures in nearly 1,000 pass blocking plays (0.2%), which is the second-lowest pressure rate allowed at guard in the FBS in that time (min. 1,000 snaps at guard), per ESPN Research.
Round 6, No. 196: Ahmed Hassanein, DE, Boise State
My take: After days of being grilled by fans and the media for not selecting an edge rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson sooner, Holmes finally lands a prospect that he felt comfortable with. From 2023-24, Hassanein's 33.5 tackles for loss were the most in the FBS, per ESPN Research. His 22 sacks in that span ranked second in the FBS behind Virginia Tech's Antwaun Powell-Ryland (25.5). The selection of Hassanein also represents some NFL history. He is the first Egyptian player to ever be drafted.
Round 7, No. 230 overall (from Denver): Dan Jackson, S, Georgia
My take: With All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph agreeing to a long-term extension earlier in the week, Jackson was drafted as depth in the secondary but will have a shot to compete on special teams right away. He could be a potential sleeper in this year's class after earning third-team All-SEC Honors in his first season as a full-time starter in 2024, when he finished third on the team in total tackles (64) while earning a reputation as one of the Bulldogs' most reliable defenders.
Round 7, No. 244 overall: Dominic Lovett, WR, Georgia
My take: With their final pick, the Lions selected their third player from Georgia in Lovett. In 2024, he led the Bulldogs with 59 receptions and six receiving touchdowns and will add depth at receiver but could also appear on special teams if he makes the roster.