By Loveth 
If there’s one thing Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have made clear about the Detroit Lions, it’s that they believe in winning through the trenches. Whether it’s dominating with the offensive line or creating havoc on defense, their strategy has always been to build from the inside out.
ESPN’s Field Yates is fully on board with that philosophy in his latest NFL mock draft, predicting that Detroit will strengthen both lines with its first two picks.
Round 1: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
With the 28th overall pick, Yates has the Lions selecting Derrick Harmon, a disruptive defensive tackle from Oregon.
“Injuries hit the Detroit defense hard last season, and some of those issues will carry into 2025—including Alim McNeill’s torn ACL,” Yates explains. “Harmon could help fill that void after his breakout 2024 season, where he racked up 34 pressures, the most by any FBS defensive tackle.”
Harmon’s mix of length, power, and speed would make him a valuable addition, especially with McNeill’s recovery timeline still up in the air.
Round 2: Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
With the 60th pick, Yates shifts focus to the offensive line, predicting the Lions will grab Tate Ratledge, a rock-solid guard from Georgia.
“The Lions lost Kevin Zeitler in free agency,” Yates notes. “If they don’t see Christian Mahogany or Kayode Awosika as surefire starters at right guard, Ratledge would be a great pick. He’s one of the most polished players in this class.”
Ratledge fits the Lions’ gritty, physical style and would immediately compete for the starting right guard spot.
Bottom Line
The Lions’ recent success has been built on winning at the line of scrimmage, and this draft projection sticks to that formula. Harmon brings defensive disruption, Ratledge adds offensive stability, and both reinforce the Dan Campbell blueprint: toughness, depth, and versatility in the trenches.
If Detroit actually lands these two, it would be hard to find a more Lions-style draft haul.