By Sunday 
Detroit Focuses on Offensive and Defensive Line Reinforcements Ahead of the NFL Draft
With the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine just around the corner, draft speculation is heating up. The Detroit Lions, coming off a strong season, are looking to fortify their roster, and the latest mock draft from Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team suggests they’ll be turning to the SEC for reinforcements.
In his pre-Scouting Combine mock draft, Crabbs has the Lions selecting Alabama guard Tyler Booker in the first round and Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson in the second. These selections highlight Detroit’s continued commitment to dominating the trenches—both offensively and defensively.
Tyler Booker: A Long-Term Anchor for the Offensive Line
With the 28th overall pick, Crabbs projects the Lions to select Alabama’s Tyler Booker, a powerful and technically sound guard. His selection would address a looming need on Detroit’s offensive line, particularly with veteran Graham Glasgow aging and Kevin Zeitler potentially departing.
“The Lions are a team that will certainly be feeling out some transition thanks to the coaching exodus this offseason,” Crabbs noted. “But the best way to keep this transition smooth is to lean into the identity that got the Lions to this point.”
That identity? A physical, aggressive approach to the game—one that Booker embodies perfectly. At 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, he has the size, strength, and mobility to be a dominant force in both pass protection and run blocking. If drafted, he could step in as an immediate starter and potentially anchor Detroit’s interior line for years to come.
Landon Jackson: A New Running Mate for Aidan Hutchinson
With the 60th overall pick, Crabbs has the Lions selecting Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson, a move that would bolster Detroit’s pass-rush depth.
“Detroit finds a running mate for Aidan Hutchinson long-term on the edge as they prepare to see Za’Darius Smith play in the final season of his current contract,” Crabbs said.
While Jackson may not be the same caliber of athlete as Hutchinson, he possesses the size, motor, and raw potential to develop into a reliable edge defender. At 6-foot-7, his length and ability to set the edge could make him a valuable piece of Detroit’s defensive puzzle, particularly if he continues to refine his pass-rush technique.
Is This the Right Approach for Detroit?
There’s no doubt that Booker would be a rock-solid addition to the offensive line, giving the Lions a plug-and-play starter with long-term upside. But when it comes to addressing the pass rush, some may argue that Detroit should take a more aggressive approach.
If the Lions opt not to trade for a premier edge rusher—names like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, or Trey Hendrickson have been floated—then selecting an EDGE with their first-round pick could make sense. Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku, for instance, might be a more dynamic option if Detroit were to trade up in the second round.
Regardless of the final draft decisions, one thing is clear: the Lions are prioritizing the trenches, staying true to the identity that has propelled them into playoff contention. If these picks materialize, Detroit could be setting itself up for sustained success on both sides of the ball.