By Zicpraiz 
It’s not so much a question of what position the Lions will target in the first round of the NFL draft. For those completing the projections, it’s a matter of which defensive lineman the Lions will target.
Nearly all of the latest round of NFL mock drafts following the league’s scouting combine in Indianapolis last week project the Lions to take a defensive lineman that can help with the team’s pass rush. But there’s a variety of opinions as to which of those defensive linemen the Lions will land on with the No. 28 pick.
That’s especially true after all of those options were in action last week in Indianapolis.
Here’s a look at what mock drafts are projecting the Lions will do with their first-round pick in this year’s draft following the combine:
Pro Football Focus projects the Lions to take James Pearce Jr., a defensive lineman from Tennessee. “It feels he is mostly viewed as just an outside linebacker speed type. But that is still a worthwhile draft target for a team like the Lions.”
CBS Sports, on the other hand, projects the Lions to take Grey Zabel, an offensive lineman from North Dakota State. “No one helped themselves more at the Senior Bowl than Zabel, who played primarily left tackle in 2024 for NDSU, but had experience at guard and center, too.”
USA Today projects the Lions to take Shemar Stewart, a defensive lineman from Texas A&M. “Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a season-ending leg injury. The Lions’ defense was ravaged by injuries this past season. Detroit needs more depth up front.”
Athlon Sports projects the Lions to take Donovan Izeiruaku, a defensive lineman from Boston College. “Detroit has to find a running mate for Aidan Hutchinson on the other edge, and Izeiruaku has an impressive combination of athleticism and production.”
Pro Football Network projects the Lions to take Derrick Harmon, a defensive tackle from Oregon. “It’s a loaded defensive tackle class, but Derrick Harmon has the tools to warrant his name being mentioned among the best of them. He has length, size, athleticism, and power that’s maximized in how active his hands are when he’s rushing the passer up the middle.”
Sporting News projects the Lions to take Tyleik Williams, a defensive tackle from Ohio State. “The Lions need some pass-rush help and can get it from the inside here in the first round while waiting to tap into the edge later. Williams had a nice NFL Combine to show that he packs an all-around punch.”