As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell are once again locked in on adding grit to the trenches. With Alim McNeill holding it down inside, Detroit could use more depth and juice on the defensive line — and there’s talent to be had in every round. Here’s a round-by-round look at some defensive tackles who fit the Lions’ style of tough, high-motor football.
Round 1: Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
If Detroit wants a potential star to pair with McNeill, Harmon is the name to watch. He’s big, explosive, and demands double teams — and still manages to make plays. He could be the game-wrecking DT this defense has been missing.
Round 2: Alfred Collins (Texas)
Collins is a raw but gifted talent who flashes big-time potential. He’s got the build, strength, and athleticism to fit in as either a 3-tech or 5-tech. If the Lions can coach him up, Collins could be a beast.
Round 3: Joshua Farmer (Florida State)
Farmer brings that non-stop energy Dan Campbell loves. He’s a gap-shooter who lives in the backfield and brings versatility to the front. This guy could be a steal if he lands in Detroit on Day 2.
Round 4: Ty Robinson (Nebraska)
Not flashy, just tough. Robinson is a rock in the run game — powerful, disciplined, and built to do the dirty work. The Lions love these kinds of grinders, and he fits right in with the locker room culture.
Round 5: Rylie Mills (Notre Dame)
Mills brings flexibility and effort every snap. He’s lined up all over the D-line at Notre Dame and plays smart, physical football. Think of him as a reliable depth piece who does the little things right.
Round 6: Tonka Hemingway (South Carolina)
Undersized? Sure. But Hemingway brings energy, effort, and smarts — all traits that make him a Dan Campbell favorite. He’s played everywhere up front and could carve out a role in the rotation.
Round 7: Howard Cross III (Notre Dame)
Cross is pure hustle. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with violence, urgency, and heart. He was a captain at Notre Dame, and you know Holmes and Campbell love that kind of leadership in the late rounds.
Bottom Line:
No matter where the Lions want to strike, there’s value at defensive tackle across all seven rounds. Whether they go big early with a guy like Harmon or find a late-round gem like Cross, the traits they’re after — toughness, effort, leadership — are all there. The only question is when they’ll pull the trigger.
One Defensive Tackle the Lions Could Target in Every Round of the 2025 Draft
