2025 Detroit Lions 7-round mock: Drafting only players who met with Detroit

With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, the Detroit Lions have done their due diligence on many of this year’s draft prospects. Not only have they met with some of the top names in this year’s class, but the team has spent a lot of time meeting with the more unknown players who have a chance to hear their names called on Day 3.

Detroit has reportedly met with 46 prospects through their local day, virtual interviews, and top-30 visits (check out our visit tracker list here). With so many players that they are now familiar with, here’s how the 2025 Draft could look for the Lions:

Round 1 - Pick 28: OL Gray Zabel, North Dakota State

The Lions offensive line may seem set at the moment, but a long-term option at guard is a major need for the team moving past 2025. Graham Glasgow played less than ideally toward the end of the 2024 season, and has an out in his contract in 2026. If the Lions want to continue to have the top offensive line in the league, drafting Zabel is a good start to that process.

Now, an offensive lineman out of a small school in the first round may seem outrageous to some, but any doubters just need to watch a second of Zabel’s tape to see why he would be a perfect fit in Detroit. The 6-foot-6, 312-pound lineman played most of his college career as a tackle but should be able to easily shift to guard given his athleticism and football know-how. He is a stout run blocker and plays violently on the line without drawing too many penalties. In the passing game, he allowed just four sacks throughout his 1,137 career snaps with the Bisons.

Zabel is a true leader on the field and even chose to stay at NDSU despite receiving offers to transfer to bigger schools. He was a team captain his senior year as well. An added benefit to drafting Zabel is his connections with Lions tight ends coach Tyler Roehl, who was his offensive coordinator at North Dakota State from 2020 to 2023.

Round 2 - Pick 60: EDGE Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

The Lions don’t pick for 42 more picks after this one, and Brad Holmes hasn’t been afraid to reach in the second round in years past. The Lions have already has several meetings with Stewart, meaning they see something they like in the 21-year-old pass rusher.

While Stewart’s style of play may fit better as a 3-4 outside linebacker, he could still carve out a nice role should he land in Detroit. Stewart would be able to play the SAM linebacker role that James Houston played not long ago, and likely would have much more success than Houston did. Having a smaller, undersized pass rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson can open up the defensive playbook immensely and create mismatch nightmares for opposing offensive lines.

Stewart was also a team captain for Michigan in his senior year and has been lauded for both his on-field effort and his leadership abilities in the locker room.

Round 3 - Pick 102: S Jonas Sanker, Virginia

While the Lions may have one of the best safety tandems in the league with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, another safety would benefit their defensive backfield by allowing Branch to slot to the nickel role as needed.

Sanker is a very similar player to Branch in the sense that he is more of a versatile defensive back than a true safety. At Virginia, he played both strong and free safety as well as the slot defender role. He amassed 176 tackles and came away with seven total turnovers in four seasons with the Cavaliers.

Sanker’s abilities as a stout run defender in the box would complement Joseph’s ball-hawk style of play immensely. He also would mesh nicely in Detroit due to his willingness and successes as a gunner on punt team. Much like the previous two players on this list, Sanker was a team captain for Virginia in 2024.

Round 4 - Pick 130: WR Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas

Detroit could benefit from a big-bodied possession wide receiver on their offense. Tim Patrick won’t be around forever, and it would help to have his replacement waiting in the wings. Isaac TeSlaa, at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds, fits that bill nicely. He shined at the combine and earned himself a 9.96 RAS, making him one of the most athletic wide receiver prospects ever.

His athleticism has turned him into a red-zone weapon who can outmuscle defenders and come away with contested catches with more ease than most. He has also been praised for his run blocking abilities, which is a trait that the Lions coaching staff specifically looks for in their receivers.

TeSlaa is a Hudsonville, Michigan native who played his first three years of collegiate football at Hillsdale College before transferring to Arkansas. Transferring from a Division-II school to the SEC is no easy task, but TeSlaa’s work ethic and production demonstrates he can face adversity and be patient until his time comes on offense.

Round 6 - Pick 196: LB Kobe King, Penn State

To bolster linebacker depth, Detroit should look to Penn State’s Kobe King. King is a Detroit native who played at Cass Tech prior to joining the Nittany Lions.

King is a big-bodied inside linebacker who has excelled as a run defender in the box. He had 53 tackles this past season as well as three sacks and a forced fumble. He is a true MIKE linebacker whose size, frame, and skillset make him a perfect candidate to back up Jack Campbell.

Following the theme of this draft class, it should be noted that King was Penn State’s defensive captain for 2024.

Round 7 - Pick 228: TE Ben Yurosek, Georgia

In the seventh round, the Lions should opt for a true blocking tight end to complement Sam LaPorta. Ben Yurosek has the frame for it, and his blocking abilities have improved throughout his time at both Stanford and Georgia.

He would have an uphill battle competing with the likes of Kenny Yeboah and Shane Zylstra for the third tight end role, but his fit in Detroit’s scheme makes sense overall.

Round 7 - Pick 244: RB Lan Larison, UC Davis

The final pick of this Lions mock draft has them sticking with the offense and building the back end of their running back depth.

Lan Larison is a dual-threat playmaker who put up over 2,000 yards on offense this past season. His 2024 season included 1,456 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, as well as 847 yards receiving and six more scores. In addition to his rushing and receiving accolades, Larison saw some reps as a wildcat quarterback and contributed as a kick returner.

He’s a short and stout running back at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds who uses his size and strength to shed defenders. His film makes it appear as if he wants to embrace the contact at the line, but he keeps a strong pad level and has no trouble running between the tackles. He isn’t shy to lead block either, and doesn’t shy away from charging at opposing defenders like a wild boar to make a play happen.

If you’re seeing a trend here, Larison was also a team captain for UC-Davis as a senior. He was also named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award (given to best offensive player in the FCS) and was first-team All-Big Sky.

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