By Moses Joshua 
Detroit eyes talent with potential—but major concerns remain
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Detroit Lions stand at a critical juncture in their defensive rebuild. While they’ve taken strides under Dan Campbell, the glaring need for dynamic, quarterback-hunting EDGE rushers still looms. Two names keep surfacing in mock drafts and analyst predictions: Mykel Williams out of Georgia and Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M.
Both players possess the physical traits NFL teams drool over. But a deeper dive into their film reveals a troubling theme—raw athleticism without polish—which makes them risky propositions for a team aiming to win now.
The Allure of Raw Talent
At first glance, Stewart and Williams look the part. Shemar Stewart, in particular, has the kind of physique and athletic explosiveness that makes scouts raise their eyebrows. He checks every box on the eye test: speed, strength, and size. But the numbers—and the tape—tell a different story.
“There’s a certain threshold of football skill that’s needed for a workout warrior to thrive in the NFL,” CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso warned. “I don’t think Stewart possesses that yet.”
Despite his elite tools, Stewart posted a modest 11.6% pressure rate during his college career—a figure far below expectations for a first-round talent. His toolbox of pass-rushing moves is still underdeveloped, and scouts say his flashes of brilliance are too few and far between to feel confident about an immediate NFL impact.
In short, he’s not yet converting raw athleticism into disruptive production, which could spell trouble for a Lions defense craving instant results.
Mykel Williams: Technique Troubles Could Stall His Rise
Williams, recently mocked to Detroit by draft expert Mel Kiper, carries his own red flags. While he’s known for his awareness and effort, several scouts have noted he tends to get too high in his stance during pass-rush attempts, negating the power in his bull rushes.
“Williams isn’t routinely beating blocks with his hands,” Trapasso noted, “but did demonstrate an awareness of the importance of utilizing finesse moves… He tends to get high when rushing the quarterback, which saps what can be immense bull-rushing power.”
Compounding the issue is a lack of elite explosiveness off the snap. For edge rushers, the first step is everything. At the NFL level, offensive tackles are elite athletes in their own right—and any hesitation or lack of burst can be the difference between a sack and a stalemate.
Can the Lions Afford to Wait?
Detroit’s current defensive line situation offers both pressure and flexibility. Bringing back Marcus Davenport on a one-year deal signals urgency, but it also opens the door for developmental players to grow into a bigger role—if they can grow.
That’s the gamble.
Neither Stewart nor Williams is a “plug-and-play” solution. Drafting either would require a bet on upside over immediate returns—a high-risk, high-reward strategy that could either yield a cornerstone piece or stall the Lions’ defensive momentum.
In the words of one analyst, “These guys could absolutely hit… but if they don’t, it’s a swing-and-miss you’ll feel for years.”
Final Word: Potential or Pitfall?
The Lions have made savvy draft choices in recent years, building a team with grit and resilience. But adding either Stewart or Williams comes with a caveat: the ceiling is high, but the floor is worrisome. In a league where the margin between victory and defeat is razor-thin, Detroit must decide whether the raw potential of these prospects is worth the growing pains.
If they boom, Brad Holmes looks like a genius. If they bust, it’s another first-round miss in a franchise desperate to keep trending upward.