2025 Draft Grade: B+The Lions once again showed a couple of the defining Draft Day traits of the Brad Holmes era:
- They are not willing to bend to perceived need to invest in a position.
- when they like a guy, they are willing to trade up to get him.
The first case in point was once again the Edge Rusher position, where the Lions ignored a chorus of demands and projections that they add a top pass rusher. Only in the sixth round did they grab Boise State edge Ahmed Hassanein, a middling prospect who does project as a great fit for the team's football-mad culture.
Instead, the Lions spent prime picks on restocking the heart of both the Offensive and Defensive lines, grabbing athletic Ohio State DT Tyliek Williams in the first and dominating Georgia guard Tate Ratledge in the second. The logic behind this pick became clear when All Pro C Frank Ragnow abruptly retired this week at age 29. While Ratledge required a small trade-up, the mad scientist Brad Holmes move came in the third, when the Lions paid a couple of future third-rounders to move up an entire round to beat other speculators to traitsy but obscure Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa. TeSlaa, a 6-4 wideout with 4.4 speed, joins a handful of project picks with ridiculous RAS scores on the Lions' depth chart.
Day 3The Lions further built depth in the trenches with starting-grade LSU G Miles Frazier in the fifth round, then picked at the bounty of the Georgia roster for special teams help with S Dan Jackson and slot WR Dominic Lovett.
Looking ahead - 2026 DraftPredicting Holmes' moves is a fool's errand even after the season and free agency have played out, but long-term emerging needs could again start with the Edge conversation. Stalwart LT Taylor Decker and LB Alex Anzalone may be on their way out, but replacements are in line for both so need-based drafting is unlikely. Maybe next year Edge Rushers will rain down on Lions Nation, but probably not.
--Jud Branam, Lions Analyst