By Blessing 
On Wednesday night, the Detroit Lions dropped one of the most anticipated videos of the offseason. After skipping last year, One Pride Productions brought back its beloved behind-the-scenes draft series, Inside the Den. This year’s episode gives fans an exclusive look at pre-draft visits, interviews, and the drama inside the Lions’ draft war room.
If you haven’t caught it yet, there’s a full hour of must-see footage for any true fan. But if you’re short on time, here are the six biggest things we learned from the 2025 edition.
1. The Lions Were Not Eyeing James Pearce
One of the standout moments comes when Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. is selected by the Falcons with the 26th overall pick. Surprisingly, the Lions’ war room bursts into celebration. Clearly, Pearce wasn’t someone Detroit had high on their draft board.
This reaction backs up what many had suspected all along: Pearce didn’t seem like the type of player Detroit was targeting, on or off the field.
2. Tyleik Williams and Tate Ratledge Aced Their Combine Meetings
Some of the best parts of the video come from watching Lions coaches work players over during 20-minute NFL Combine interviews. Among those shown were defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge — both left a strong impression.
The video highlights their sharpness, toughness, and how naturally they seemed to fit the Lions’ culture.
3. Kelvin Sheppard Was All-In on Williams
A memorable moment comes when Williams visits the Lions facility just days after his top-30 visit. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is clearly thrilled to see him again — and we learn why.
“I told them,” Sheppard tells Williams. “Like, Dan and all them knew that. They made jokes with me, because I was like, ‘This is my favorite player, defensively, in this draft.’ I didn’t think we was gonna have the opportunity, and then just god-willing. You know how I told you, this ain’t recruiting. I could love you all I want, but everything’s gotta map out the right way. I truly believe this is where you’re supposed to be.”
Seeing that level of belief from a coach? That’s powerful.
4. Sheila Hamp Was Already Thinking Long-Term With Ratledge
After Detroit selected Ratledge in the second round, the war room cameras captured an insightful moment between head coach Dan Campbell and team owner Sheila Hamp.
Hamp asked Campbell to confirm whether Ratledge had the flexibility to play center. At the time, Frank Ragnow was still on the roster. Fast forward three months — Ragnow has retired, and Ratledge is now in the mix to take over at center.
That kind of foresight says a lot about how aligned this front office really is.
5. The Lions Got Miles Frazier Later Than Expected
On Day 2, after the team traded up to grab wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, Lions director of college scouting Brian Hudspeth asked GM Brad Holmes a simple question:
“If you had stayed put at the original third-round pick (102 overall), who would you have picked?”
Holmes didn’t hesitate: “It probably would’ve been that LSU guard.”
He was talking about Miles Frazier — the same player Detroit ended up drafting in the fifth round at 171. That’s nearly 70 picks later. When a GM can land his target two rounds later? That’s a win.
6. Holmes Wanted Hassanein and Jackson — and Got Both
Day 3 of the draft was full of suspense, but the Lions front office already had a clear plan. After grabbing Frazier, Holmes and Campbell chatted about their next move. Cameras captured Holmes laying out two targets:
“This is the edge rusher, Ahmed Hassanein. He’s from Egypt,” Holmes said. “Or this safety, Dan Jackson from Georgia.”
Campbell replied, 55
.
“I might take both of them.”
And that’s exactly what happened. Hassanein was picked in the sixth round (196 overall), and Jackson was still there in the seventh (230 overall).
If Inside the Den proved anything this year, it’s that this front office is locked in — not just with scouting talent, but with reading the board and maximizing every opportunity. From heartfelt coaching moments to long-term planning, the Lions are building something real.
And if you ask us? The Den’s never felt more alive.