3 Draft Sleepers Who Could Be Perfect Fits for the Lions
Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have made it clear: the Detroit Lions are building something sustainable, and the NFL Draft is their foundation. We’ve already seen them strike gold with guys like Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round. And with another playoff push on the horizon, Detroit could once again find some mid-to-late round magic.
While first-round buzz surrounds names like Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, it’s the sleeper picks that could truly round out the roster. Here are three under-the-radar prospects who feel like classic Lions picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
1. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Size? Check. Speed? Check. Red zone potential? Double check. Jayden Higgins is a 6-foot-4, 214-pound wideout who ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and jumped a 39-inch vertical. He’d give Jared Goff another big-bodied target and complement St. Brown with his outside presence. Higgins projects as a third or fourth-rounder, and his tools are exactly what Campbell hinted at when he said the team wants “more competition, particularly some youth” at receiver.
2. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Detroit’s defense got lit up by Jayden Daniels in the playoffs, and adding a tone-setter like Schwesinger could help prevent a repeat. A former walk-on who didn’t start until his final college season, Schwesinger brings grit, speed, and a never-back-down mentality. He excels in coverage and isn’t afraid to play downhill. Sounds like a Motor City fit. Look for him in rounds two or three.
3. Dan Jackson, S, Georgia
Need a Day 3 Dan Campbell guy? Enter Dan Jackson. He’s not the most athletic safety, but he’s physical, fearless, and football-smart. Jackson thrives on special teams and isn’t shy about launching into tackles—sometimes too eagerly, which can lead to misses. But if there’s one coach who loves a hard-nosed, throwback type, it’s Campbell. Jackson could be a depth piece with special teams value right away.
The Lions already have a reputation for finding gems outside the top rounds. These three could be the next batch of blue-collar impact players to keep Detroit in the NFC title conversation.
Detroit’s Hidden Gems: Sleeper Picks to Watch in 2025 NFL Draft
