By Blessing 
MOCK DRAFT WATCH: Is Edge Rusher Now the Lions’ Top Draft Focus After Free Agency?
Free agency has a funny way of reshaping how we all view the NFL Draft. Teams start filling holes on the roster with proven veterans, and suddenly mock drafts shift to reflect those changes. In reality, great drafting teams tend to keep their focus on selecting the best football players available—not just plugging gaps. But hey, that’s a conversation for another day.
For the Lions, the first wave of free agency brought some clarity, but also left a few question marks—especially on the defensive front. And if mock drafts from around the country are any indication, one position in particular is climbing to the top of Detroit’s wishlist: edge rusher.
Let’s take a look at what analysts are projecting for the Lions at No. 28 in the first round following the initial free agency buzz.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
Why: “Williams is another player with a wide range of potential destinations. The production has trailed the athleticism, but there’s a ton of upside here.”
Williams is an intriguing prospect—someone whose raw tools and athleticism make scouts take notice, even if his college production didn’t fully match his potential. That kind of high-ceiling player could be a perfect developmental piece to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Why: “Pearce could be the answer opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Besides figuring out how to stay healthy, the second edge rush spot was the Lions’ biggest question last season.”
Pearce’s name has popped up quite a bit in the latest mock drafts, and it makes sense. He’s fast, disruptive, and has the kind of explosiveness that could give the Lions another dynamic weapon on the edge.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Why: “Hutchinson’s return should rejuvenate a defensive line ravaged by injuries last season, but lingering concerns remain after defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered a torn ACL in December. The 6-foot-4, 331-pound Grant is still learning to translate his rare movement abilities into consistent pass-rush production, but he can make teams pay if they don’t double-team him.”
Grant offers size and strength up the middle, and his athletic profile is rare for a player his size. Adding him to a defensive line already anchored by Hutchinson could give Detroit a formidable front.
Steve Serby, New York Post: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Why: “A 6-foot-3, 340-pound run-stuffer alongside Hutchinson with McNeill (torn ACL) possibly sidelined until October.”
Serby echoes similar concerns about interior depth and sees Grant as a physical presence who can keep opposing run games in check.
Seth Quinn, Newsweek: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Why: “The Lions could use youth on the defensive line after suffering injuries last season, and get that with Green. Green was a riser early in the draft process and has cemented himself as a solid first-round pick.”
Green has gained serious momentum during the pre-draft process. His production and motor are drawing comparisons to some of the better pass rushers in recent years, and he’d bring fresh legs and a high ceiling to Detroit’s rotation.
John Kosko, Pro Football Focus: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Why: “After the Lions suffered no fewer than 250 injuries to their defense a year ago, they add an edge defender opposite Hutchinson in the big and physical Scourton. Don’t let his ‘lack’ of production fool you, as Texas A&M’s scheme didn’t provide him with many true pass rushes. He still won 17.1% of his reps in 2024 after a stellar 2023 where he was one of the best in the nation (21.3%).”
Scourton might be one of the more underrated names in this edge group. His frame and power make him a tough matchup, and PFF’s metrics suggest there’s a lot more to his game than raw sack totals.
Rob Rang, FOX Sports: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Why: “The loss of Hutchinson to injury last year sapped some of the ferocity from a passionate Lions’ defense, and finding another defender to complement that should be Detroit’s top priority. Few edge rushers in this class offer Green’s combination of burst, physicality and motor.”
The consistent mention of Green suggests teams are starting to see him as a real difference-maker. His tenacity and athleticism stand out in a deep edge class.
Joel Klatt, FOX Sports: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Why: “I don’t think the Lions need a ton, making this a luxury selection, but the window to win titles in the NFL is small and the blueprint is specific. You need to be able to get to the QB. Pearce would help Hutchinson in a big way.”
Klatt sees this as a chance to invest in a strength—and in today’s NFL, there’s no such thing as having too many pass rushers.
Dave Helman, FOX Sports: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Why: “The Lions’ pass rush looks solid on paper, but it comes with a lot of injury concern. I’d like to bump the depth there, not to mention add a player with some insane athleticism. Jackson’s got the size and frame to contribute right now and could grow into a fun pass rush partner for Hutchinson.”
Jackson fits the mold of a developmental edge with high upside—a theme throughout many of these projections.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Why: “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.”
Wilson’s projection breaks the defensive trend, suggesting Detroit might look to reinforce the offensive line versatility instead.
Michael Renner, CBS Sports: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Why: “Walter Nolen is a butt-kicker in the run game at the three-tech position. That’s the missing link on what is a terrifying Lions defensive line when healthy.”
Nolen brings attitude and power to the trenches—a classic Dan Campbell type of player.
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Why: “It was a major bummer that a hamstring strain kept Kenneth Grant from working out at the NFL combine, but he’s still a massive, super athletic interior defensive lineman with a ton of room to grow.”
Even with limited pre-draft testing, Grant continues to garner attention for his traits alone.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Why: “Smith is gone. Hutchinson will be returning from a torn ACL. Detroit makes the move to add depth at a premier position after seeing the unit decimated by injuries in 2024.”
Ezeiruaku is another name that pops up in this deep edge class—consistent production and high effort make him an appealing fit.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Why: “Don’t let Burden’s 2024 stats fool you — he’s a premier receiver prospect with upside galore.”
Trapasso goes off-script here with a high-upside offensive pick, though it’s a bit of a curveball considering the defensive trend.
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Why: “The Detroit Lions were absolutely decimated by injuries along their defensive line in 2024, so they grab Pearce, a two-time first-team All-SEC player who led the conference in tackles for loss (28) and quarterback pressures (107) across the last two seasons.”
Pearce continues to stand out as a favorite among analysts.
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Why: “OK, so I’ve had Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer here in each of my first two mocks because it seems like a match made in heaven, but Mike Green has a higher ceiling and would be the better value late in the first for a Detroit team that needs a second pass-rusher.”
Value and upside—two words consistently tied to Green’s profile.
Eric Fronton, NBC Sports: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Why: “Detroit has an arsenal of picks and dips into the deep defensive line class to give head coach Dan Campbell another talented big man IDL to support Hutchinson.”
Harmon is yet another big body to help rotate and reinforce the interior defense.
Yahoo Sports Staff: Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas
Why: “When you don’t have many needs, take a lineman. Banks could immediately compete for a starting spot at right guard and eventually kick out to left tackle later in his career.”
Banks adds future-proofing and competition to a strong offensive line unit.
Steven Cheah, Barstool Sports: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Why: “With Hutchinson missing most of the season, it became clear that the Lions’ weakness was pass rush. Green is a muscled up 6-foot-3, 251 pounds, coming off a 17-sack season for the Thundering Herd.”
That production speaks for itself.
Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Why: “The Lions get some of their punch back in the middle of the offensive line with this addition.”
A physical guard who fits Detroit’s identity.
James Foster, 33rd Team: Bradyn Swinson, Edge, LSU
Why: “Detroit needs a capable edge rusher to play opposite of Hutchinson and Bradyn Swinson is the best one available. Swinson is a multi-dimensional pass rusher with a potent combination of burst, power, and lateral quickness.”
In a class loaded with edge talent, Swinson offers another promising option.