By Blessing 
Whispers Turn Loud: Final Mock Draft Intel That Could Change Everything
The wait is almost over.
This weekend, all 32 NFL teams descend upon Green Bay, eyes locked on the future. With the NFL Draft finally here, it’s time to see how months of scouting, speculation, and strategy translate into action. Every franchise is looking to inject fresh talent into their rosters, and as the first round looms, the Detroit Lions are firmly in the spotlight with the No. 28 pick.
Mock drafts have been flying fast and furious for weeks—some safe, some bold, others just plain unexpected. But now, the noise narrows down to a final chorus of predictions. Here’s a look at what some of the top analysts believe the Lions will do in Round 1.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
“I’m not fully convinced Williams makes it this far, but if he does, the Lions should be thrilled. He’s exactly the type of ascending prospect and body type Detroit seems to want on the edge.”
Edholm thinks Detroit could strike gold if the explosive Georgia pass rusher is still available. With his length, quickness, and potential to become a force opposite Aidan Hutchinson, Williams could be a dream scenario for Detroit’s pass rush.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com — Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
“Booker’s powerful presence would help fill the huge hole left by Kevin Zeitler on the Lions’ offensive line.”
Booker, known for his toughness and versatility, spent time at both guard spots at Alabama. Detroit could lean on his adaptability, especially with veteran Graham Glasgow also able to shift sides. The idea? Reinforce what’s already one of the league’s best offensive lines.
Marc Ross, NFL.com — Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
“So while the Lions have bigger needs in the trenches, they snag Burden in an effort to offset the loss of OC Ben Johnson and maintain their offensive dominance.”
Ross is betting on the Lions to surprise everyone. Burden, a shifty slot receiver from Missouri, has drawn comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The pairing of Burden underneath with Jameson Williams over the top could keep the Lions’ offense rolling despite coaching changes.
Adam Rank, NFL.com — Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
“Ezeiruaku would be a really nice get for a defense that surely cannot get enough depth on the defensive line.”
Depth is the name of the game here. Rank believes Ezeiruaku—compared by Lance Zierlein to Yannick Ngakoue—would be a high-upside addition to a D-line still reeling from last season’s injury bug.
Mike Band, NFL.com — Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
“His blend of size, strength and technique aligns with Dan Campbell’s gritty, physical brand of football.”
Echoing Reuter, Band sees Booker as a plug-and-play guard for the Lions. His profile screams Campbell Guy—powerful, disciplined, and not afraid to get nasty in the trenches.
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M (via trade with Rams)
“A long, large, freak-show athlete who predictably blew up the Combine.”
Filice proposes Detroit gets aggressive, trading up for Stewart. While his college sack totals are modest, his 39 pressures last season speak volumes. Campbell and his staff may see a moldable monster in Stewart.
Jordan Reid, ESPN — Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
“Zabel has checked boxes during each step of the pre-draft process and fits right in as a tough and sturdy blocker.”
Reid loves the way Zabel handled business at the Senior Bowl and Combine. He may not be the flashiest name, but for a Lions team that values grit and technique, he might be an ideal fit.
Mel Kiper Jr. & Field Yates, ESPN — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
“Williams can beat blockers with his explosiveness, and he has even more upside for new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to unlock.”
Doubling down on Edholm’s call, Kiper and Yates see Williams as the perfect fix to the Lions’ pass-rush void opposite Hutchinson.
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports — Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
“He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds. That will play alongside Hutchinson.”
Podell sees Harmon as a potential interior pass-rush threat—especially valuable after last season’s injury-plagued campaign along the defensive front.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
“The production hasn’t been there but once it’s unlocked he has a chance to be special.”
Wilson echoes the Stewart hype, likening him to Cardinals first-rounder Darius Robinson. Stewart could be a high-risk, high-reward swing for a team that’s built up enough depth to be patient.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports — Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
“A heavier, three-down defensive end with a high motor, pass-rush moves ready to go, and positional versatility.”
Trapasso points to Scourton’s motor and toolbox. He might not be the flashiest edge rusher, but his consistency and readiness could make him a safe bet.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports — Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
“I can see a scenario in which the Lions take Conerly, play him at guard, and then move him to tackle later.”
Edwards takes a long-term view, seeing Conerly as a versatile lineman who could fill in wherever needed before growing into a starting tackle role.
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports — Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
“‘The thing I love most about football is taking the love away from other people.’ That’s what Alabama standout guard Tyler Booker said…”
Stackpole highlights Booker’s mean streak—a quality Campbell and GM Brad Holmes surely appreciate.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports — Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
“He can also play tackle, which he did last year at Ohio State. But his top position is guard.”
Jackson’s positional flexibility is a theme here. Prisco believes he fits well with Detroit’s physical identity up front.
Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports — Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
“Campbell will love how much he loves ball.”
For Jones, Conerly’s athletic upside and passion for the game make him an ideal Campbell Guy.
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports — Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
“Ezeiruaku is coming off a final collegiate season at Boston College where he tallied 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.”
That production turns heads. Sullivan likes the idea of pairing a healthy Hutchinson with another proven finisher.
Pro Football Focus — Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (via trade with Chargers)
“He recorded a 17.2% pass-rush win rate at Georgia last year…”
The versatile Walker is a dynamic chess piece—able to rush or drop into coverage. PFF sees him as a rare athlete with sky-high potential.
Tyler Dragon, USA Today — Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
“The Lions’ defense was ravaged by injuries this past season and needs more depth up front.”
Dragon is in line with the rest—Ezeiruaku’s productivity and playmaking make him a hot name for Detroit.
Geoff Schwartz, Fox Sports — Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
“The Lions need all the help they can get in the secondary…”
Hairston is a curveball pick, but a sensible one. The Lions have had their struggles in the back end, and a physical, confident corner like Hairston could change that narrative.
Seth Quinn, Newsweek — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
“Campbell seems like a great coach to get the most out of him.”
Quinn, like others, believes Detroit can be the perfect landing spot for Stewart to develop and dominate.
The Verdict? There’s no shortage of speculation, and while some picks (like Booker or Williams) seem to have consensus appeal, others reflect a willingness to gamble on upside or versatility. Brad Holmes has surprised before—and don’t be shocked if he does it again.
Whatever happens on draft night, one thing’s for sure: the Lions are no longer trying to rebuild—they’re looking to reload.