By Blessing 
Lions’ Early Draft Projections Point to Defensive Reinforcements
With the 2024 season officially in the books—capped off by the Philadelphia Eagles winning Super Bowl LIX—the NFL’s 32 teams now turn their attention to offseason planning. The next big event? The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis later this month, where front offices will begin assembling their draft boards in earnest.
For the Detroit Lions, the draft strategy is coming into focus. General manager Brad Holmes holds the No. 28 overall pick, but if his past decisions are any indication, he remains flexible, willing to trade up or down as needed. While it’s still early in the process, most draft experts project Detroit will focus on upgrading the defense. Here’s a look at who they have pegged for the Lions in the first round.
Defensive Help on the Edge
Several analysts believe Detroit will add a pass rusher to bolster their defensive front.
Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
- Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com): “It will be huge for the Lions to get Aidan Hutchinson back next season. Green would be a perfect complement with his speed and quickness off the edge. This team values production off the edge, and Green had a ton of it during his college career.”
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com): “The lack of a pass rush down the stretch could prompt Holmes to invest heavily in this area, giving Hutchinson some support once he returns to health. Green is a natural QB hunter with an emerging game.”
- Eric Edholm (NFL.com): “I was both pleased and irritated that DJ and Bucky each mocked Green to the Lions because it just feels perfect right now. He has a Lions-y intensity and can be worked into the rotation early.”
- Joel Klatt (Fox Sports): “Green played really well when I called his game against Ohio State this past season. ‘Prestige Worldwide’ might not be coming to Detroit, but former Marshall coach Charles Huff said that Green would’ve started at Alabama when he was an assistant there, saying he reminds him of Will Anderson.”
Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
- Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com): “Depending on how free agency shakes out for the Lions, I could see them using their first-rounder on a corner again this year. But Sawyer’s value as a run-stopper—in addition to other great edge metrics—drives Detroit to select him at No. 28.”
- Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports): “Sawyer is listed at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds and is coming off a five-sack 2024 season that includes 28 hurries. Used almost exclusively off the edge for the Buckeyes, he flashes the speed-to-power of a first-round pass rusher who is also stout setting the edge in the run game.”
- Rob Rang (Fox Sports): “Like his former Ohio State teammate one pick earlier, Sawyer isn’t the flashiest athlete—which is why some scouts see him as more of a Day 2 candidate—but he’s battle-tested and dependable. His steady production and playing style seem like a perfect match for Holmes and Campbell, as Sawyer plays with the hustle, desire, and instincts they crave.”
Cornerbacks in Play?
If Detroit opts to go with a defensive back, Azareye’h Thomas from Florida State and Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame are popular projections.
- Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): “With plenty of cap space available, the Lions will attack some of their needs in free agency. That said, Thomas could give Detroit a big press corner to bookend the field with last year’s first-round pick, Terrion Arnold.”
- Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): “Carlton Davis is a free agent this offseason. The odds of Detroit re-signing him are probably pretty good, but there is a distinct possibility that he becomes too expensive and the franchise, instead, must look to the NFL Draft to fill the need.”
Interior Defensive Line Considerations
Some analysts argue the Lions could focus on strengthening the defensive line from the inside out.
- Matt Miller (ESPN) on Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon: “The Michigan State transfer had six sacks and 35 pressures for the Ducks, with the right build at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds to play in a 3-technique or shade the center. His power to handle double-teams in the run game—plus his ability to command attention away from Hutchinson—would make this a slam-dunk pick.”
- Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) on Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M: “There’s rawness to Stewart’s game. He also might be the most physically gifted defensive end in the entire class. Ideal complement to Hutchinson in Detroit.”
- Blake Brockermeyer (CBS Sports) on Harmon: “Harmon is a disruptive interior force who fills a position of need for the Lions. With 40 hurries, five sacks, and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2024, Harmon’s quickness and burst make him a valuable addition to Detroit’s defense. His ability to knock back the line of scrimmage and penetrate gaps fits the Lions’ aggressive defensive philosophy.”
Offensive Line Prospects Not Ruled Out
While the primary focus appears to be defense, some analysts see a case for strengthening the offensive line.
- Chad Reuter (NFL.com) on Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona: “The strength of the Lions’ offensive line has been a major factor in the team’s recent success, so adding Savaiinaea to take over for free agent Kevin Zeitler at right guard makes a lot of sense.”
- Field Yates (ESPN) on Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State: “Zabel projects as an interior player in the NFL, which is the only part of the Lions’ offense that looks vulnerable on paper going into 2025. He is powerful, marries his quick feet with active hands in pass protection, and is ridiculously tough—he plays like a Lion.”
Final Thoughts
As the draft approaches, the Lions have multiple paths they could take. The consensus among analysts suggests Detroit will prioritize improving its defense—particularly pass-rushing and secondary help. However, with Holmes’ willingness to maneuver up or down the draft board, nothing is set in stone. The team’s approach in free agency will also provide clarity on which position becomes the top priority come draft night.
One thing is certain: Detroit is close to Super Bowl contention, and the right selection at No. 28 could help push them over the top in 2025.