The Detroit Lions are right there among the top NFC Super Bowl contenders, but they need another good offseason to help get them over the line, and the 2025 NFL Draft can be a big part of that. With the Lions having been active in the trade market last season, how much capital do they have when we examine the 2025 NFL Draft order?
What Are the Detroit Lions Draft Picks in 2025?
| Pick | Round | Round Pick No. | Team | Player | Position | School | Notes |
|---|
How Many Picks Do the Lions Have in the 2025 NFL Draft?
The Lions currently have seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They retained their original selections in Rounds 1, 2, 4, and 7, have a third-round compensatory selection, and acquired two picks via trades.
Detroit sent its 2025 third-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for an extra fourth-rounder in 2024, which was used on offensive tackle Giovanni Manu. They also traded their 2025 fifth-round pick, in addition to a sixth-rounder next year, for EDGE Za’Darius Smith at the 2024 NFL trade deadline.
The Lions traded their original 2025 sixth-rounder during the 2023 season in exchange for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. They did, however, get a sixth-rounder back from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the trade for cornerback Carlton Davis III.
Lastly, the Lions’ extra seventh-rounder was part of Detroit’s 2024 trade-up with the Dallas Cowboys, which netted them Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.
What Are the Lions’ Biggest Needs in 2025?
- EDGE, G, DT, S, WR
The Detroit Lions had some of the highest peaks of any team in 2024, but came up short in the end. Injuries caught up to them in the Divisional Round, particularly on defense, as the Washington Commanders’ offense tore the unit to shreds. Those injuries highlighted the importance of rebuilding the depth on the defensive line and in the secondary
Aidan Hutchinson’s return in 2025 will boost the Lions’ pass rush, but they need more depth behind him. They re-signed Marcus Davenport only to subsequently Za’Darius Smith, addressing the depth concern but then creating a whole new concern in terms of a reliable pass-rushing partner for Hutchinson. Smith could still theoretically re-sign after the draft, though there’s been no movement on that front.
Alim McNeil had a breakout year at defensive tackle in 2024, but is unlikely to be ready for the start of 2025 after a December torn ACL. The Lions will need to ease him back anyway, creating the need for another starting-caliber option next to run-stuffer D.J. Reader. Similarly, they could add depth at safety to free Brian Branch to play a more versatile role all over the secondary.
Offensively, the biggest need is at guard, with reliable right guard Kevin Zeitler leaving for Tennessee. The Lions may feel that 2024 sixth-rounder Christian Mahogany is ready to start, but it would not be a surprise to see them add another starting-level option for competition.
Elsewhere on offense, the Lions could do with adding a third WR to push Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond (or serve as an eventual successor to Jameson Williams after his rookie deal expires).
