Steps Lions Need to Take for Roster Completion Following the 2025 NFL Draft:
Rewritten Article:
The 2025 NFL Draft: A Rollercoaster Ride for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions had a wild three days at the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving many fans scratching their heads. After trading up numerous times, they ended with seven new recruits, but questions about their moves in free agency remain.
After picking offensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round, the Lions traded up three times to grab guard Tate Ratledge, receiver Isaac TeSlaa, and guard Miles Frazier in rounds two, three, and five, respectively. They closed out the draft with edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein, safety Dan Jackson, and receiver Dominic Lovett in their final picks.
Brad Holmes' aggressive deals excited some fans, but others found the cost of these trades puzzling. The most expensive move – trading for TeSlaa – cost the Lions two third-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many wondered if the price was worth it for a player who never came close to hitting the 1,000-yard mark at Arkansas.
The Lions' offseason has been full of changes. After falling short in the 2025 playoffs, Detroit lost Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching vacancies. Although they kept the core of their roster, they also lost key veterans such as Kevin Zeitler, Carlton Davis III, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Kindle Vildor in free agency.
With the draft behind them, organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps are up next. Holmes still has moves to make before then to finalize the Lions' roster.
Pass-Rushing Blues
From the moment he took the field, Aidan Hutchinson proved to be one of the top edge rushers. However, his season was derailed by a grisly broken leg in 2024. The injury threatened to derail his career trajectory, but Hutchinson managed to return with 7.5 sacks in just five games.
Hutchinson and the Lions' pass-rushing unit were unstoppable. Without him, the team struggled to get to the quarterback. Hutchinson's 7.5 sacks still led the team, despite his absence for 12 games. Za'Darius Smith, who the Lions decided not to re-sign, was second with four. The team's current edge-rushing trio of Al-Quadin Muhammad, Josh Paschal, and Marcus Davenport combined for just 5.5 sacks in 2024.
The Lions picked up edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein in the draft, but he will need time to develop. Meanwhile, Hutchinson is recovering from his injury, and the Lions need to give him support immediately.
The Lions have $42 million in cap space left, according to Over the Cap. They could potentially bring back Za'Darius Smith or consider free agents like Von Miller, Matthew Judon, William Gholston, and Montravius Adams.
Keeping the Offensive Line Intact
Kevin Zeitler, one of the most underrated guards in the league, was a staple of Detroit's elite offensive line in 2024. His leadership and skill will be missed, but the Lions drafted guards Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier to fill the void.
Although Ratledge and Frazier have potential, they might be thrust into starting roles too soon if no veteran presence is added. Legacy offensive line coach Hank Fraley can develop young talent, but the Lions need to give him some help in the meantime.
Ideal reinforcements would be Brandon Scherff, Will Hernandez, or Shaq Mason, but these players usually seek longer contracts. The Lions might instead consider Jon Feliciano or Cody Whitehair, who are both available and could sign short-term deals.
Corner Conundrum
The loss of Aaron Glenn left a hole in the Detroit defense. Kelvin Sheppard, previously the linebackers coach, took over as head coach, and he has expressed a desire to maintain the team's defensive consistency.
The Lions lost cornerback Carlton Davis III, one of the best man-to-man corners in the league, which will leave the team exposed if no replacement is found. Detroit currently has D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold in the cornerback position, with Reed being their strongest asset. However, Arnold struggled in man coverage in his rookie year, and the Lions need to add depth to the position.
The Lions did not select any cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft and have no experienced veterans on the roster behind Reed and Arnold. Top-end cornerbacks such as Kendall Fuller, Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas, and James Bradberry are still available on the market, and the Lions could consider signing any of these players to strengthen their secondary. Emmanuel Moseley and Cameron Sutton, who are both currently free agents, could also be potential signings.
[1] While specific names are not provided in the search results, the Lions are generally seeking to bolster their pass-rush, which suggests they will likely pursue free agents who specialize in pass-rushing during the 2025 offseason. (Source: enrichment data)
- The 2025 NFL Draft was a rollercoaster ride for the Detroit Lions, leaving fans questioning the cost of Brad Holmes' aggressive trades.
- Despite the questions, Holmes managed to acquire seven new recruits, including Tate Ratledge, Isaac TeSlaa, and Ahmed Hassanein, who could potentially strengthen the team.
- The Lions' offseason has been marked by changes, including the losses of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching vacancies, as well as key veterans such as Kevin Zeitler in free agency.
- The team is now focusing on organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps, but Holmes still has moves to make before finalizing the roster.
- The loss of Aidan Hutchinson to injuries and the underperformance of the current edge-rushing trio of Al-Quadin Muhammad, Josh Paschal, and Marcus Davenport has left the Lions in need of pass-rushing reinforcements this offseason.
- The Lions could potentially bring back Za'Darius Smith or consider free agents like Von Miller, Matthew Judon, William Gholston, and Montravius Adams to bolster their pass-rush.
