The Detroit Lions are once again facing heavy criticism for their 2025 NFL Draft picks — but if history is any indicator, they just might prove the doubters wrong.
Draft analysts have been quick to pick apart Detroit’s selections, especially their aggressive third-round move when they traded up to No. 70 to grab Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. To make that jump, the Lions gave the Jaguars their No. 102 pick plus two 2026 third-rounders.
Austin Mock of The Athletic called the Lions’ draft class questionable, pointing out that four of their seven picks were considered “reaches” according to consensus draft boards. He also highlighted that the Lions gave up the fourth-most value in draft trades, saying, “They lost quite a bit of value, highlighted by the big move up for TeSlaa.”
Gennaro Filice of NFL.com gave the Lions a B- grade, saying GM Brad Holmes mostly “ate his vegetables” by beefing up the trenches with tough, blue-collar players — but then went bold with the TeSlaa trade. Filice described TeSlaa as an athletic freak with untapped potential, noting Holmes’ move raised eyebrows among Lions fans who wondered if the GM was “feeling himself too much.”
Despite the critiques, both analysts acknowledged Holmes has earned some trust after recent draft successes. While the 2025 class may look shaky on paper, Lions fans know better than to count Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell out just yet.
Detroit’s Draft Decisions Under Fire, but Holmes Stands by His Plan
