The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and while the Detroit Lions earned plenty of praise for landing defensive tackle Tyleik Williams at No. 28, there’s some behind-the-scenes buzz about what almost happened—and it’s got fans wondering.
According to Mike Payton from A to Z Sports, the Lions may have been eyeing Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart but couldn’t pull off a trade-up to get him. Stewart ultimately went 17th to the Bengals, and while this theory is just Payton’s “hunch,” there’s some logic behind it.
Lions GM Brad Holmes even hinted at the team’s draft frustration, saying, “There were times we made attempts to get one, and… they got picked before, you couldn’t get up. It takes two to trade.” Combine that with the Lions’ track record of drafting players they host on top-30 visits—and Stewart was one of just three edge rushers they brought in—it starts to look like more than coincidence.
But don’t hang your head, Lions fans. Tyleik Williams is no consolation prize. Coming out of Ohio State, Williams racked up 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks last season—not to mention an impressive 88.6 run grade from Pro Football Focus. He’s a force on the interior, and while he’s still developing as a pass rusher, his size, strength, and athleticism make him a coach’s dream.
In short, the Lions may have missed on Stewart, but they landed a player with a sky-high ceiling. Sometimes in the draft, the best move is rolling with the board and trusting your scouts—and Detroit seems to have done just that.
Report: Lions’ Sneaky Draft Move for Edge Rusher May Have Fallen Short
