By Blessing 
Lions Zero In on Interior Offensive Line in Final 2025 Mock Draft
After months of scouting, film study, and speculation, the Detroit Lions are finally on the doorstep of the 2025 NFL Draft. With seven selections currently in hand, including the 28th overall pick, the Lions’ front office—led by General Manager Brad Holmes—has one last opportunity to fine-tune the roster before the season kicks off.
Holmes, who has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable drafters over the past four years, will be under the spotlight once again. Fans are hoping he can continue that streak of smart, calculated picks. With needs at multiple positions and plenty of talent available, here’s how things could shake out for Detroit across all seven rounds.
Round 1, Pick 28 – Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
With veteran guard Kevin Zeitler gone and Graham Glasgow showing signs of decline, Detroit may look to solidify its offensive interior with a tough, reliable player. Enter Alabama’s Tyler Booker—a powerful, agile lineman who fits perfectly into the Lions’ hard-nosed identity.
Booker would immediately compete for one of the two starting guard spots, likely joining a rotation that includes Glasgow and Christian Mahogany. With Zeitler’s departure, the right guard slot is particularly up for grabs.
Booker’s game stands out for his ability to drive defenders off the ball in the run game while maintaining balance and footwork in pass protection. He’s the kind of tone-setting blocker that Detroit fans love. And interestingly, this pick would continue a pattern: Holmes has taken an Alabama product in the first round three years in a row.
Booker has all the traits of a day-one starter and could become a foundational piece as the offensive line starts to age out.
Round 2, Pick 60 – Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Looking to add depth on the defensive front, the Lions could turn to a small-school standout in Darius Alexander. The Toledo product dominated the MAC over five years, racking up 22 sacks from the defensive tackle position.
Alexander plays with an NFL-ready frame and knows how to use his long arms to create disruption. While there’s still developmental upside in his toolset, his strength and motor suggest he could step into a rotational role right away.
The one knock? He’ll be 25 as a rookie—a little older than most prospects. But that maturity might actually be an asset for a Detroit defense hungry for immediate help on the interior.
Round 3, Pick 102 – Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
Detroit’s interest in Jonas Sanker is no secret. He met with the team at the NFL Combine and was invited in for a top-30 visit, which suggests there’s genuine interest.
Sanker is instinctive and fast, often reacting in a flash to plays as they develop. He led the ACC in solo tackles for the past two seasons and finished his college career with a whopping 273 total tackles. He also added two sacks last season, showing flashes of potential as a blitzing safety.
With Ifeatu Melifonwu no longer in the picture, Sanker could step into that hybrid role, giving defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn another tool in the secondary. Behind Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, Sanker could carve out a rotational spot early.
Round 4, Pick 130 – Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
A Michigan native with a unique journey, Isaac TeSlaa began his college career tearing up the Division II scene at Hillsdale College. After transferring to Arkansas, he found mixed success but continued to flash raw talent and versatility.
At 6-foot-4, TeSlaa brings size and contested-catch ability, traits that could earn him a look on the outside even though he primarily worked from the slot in college. Holmes has made it clear that the team wants to inject youth into its receiver corps, and TeSlaa could be an intriguing developmental project with upside.
Round 6, Pick 196 – Que Robinson, EDGE, Alabama
Finding a consistent pass-rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson is one of the Lions’ biggest needs. While this year’s EDGE class is deep, Detroit might be content to wait for value in the later rounds—and Robinson fits the mold.
Though a bit undersized for the moment, Robinson is an athletic, flexible edge defender who knows how to get around blockers. His hand usage and willingness to fight through contact suggest he has the intangibles to eventually earn meaningful reps.
With time in an NFL strength program, he could turn into a key rotational piece.
Round 7, Pick 228 – Trikweze Bridges, CB, Florida
Bridges started his college career at Oregon and used a pandemic redshirt year before transferring to Florida for his final season. There, he showed off his versatility, playing both corner and safety depending on team needs.
Despite a rocky season, Bridges led the Gators in total tackles and added eight pass breakups. He’s physical, not afraid to hit, and brings the kind of grit the Lions covet in their defensive backs.
As a late-round flier, he checks a lot of boxes.
Round 7, Pick 244 – Branson Harris, OT, Pittsburgh
An injury kept Harris from participating in workouts leading up to the draft, but he’s an intriguing prospect nonetheless. His quick first step and lateral agility make him a potential developmental tackle who could stick as depth.
While he needs polish and experience, Harris has the tools to grow in Detroit’s offensive line room, especially with veterans to learn from.