Detroit Lions Rookie Forecast 2025

Lions Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia – Round 2

For two straight offseasons, the Lions lost a starting guard in free agency. Jonah Jackson and Kevin Zeitler were good players for Detroit. With other interior linemen like Frank Ragnow and Graham Glasgow aging, it made sense for the Lions to look for a long-term starter at right guard.

The Lions like large offensive linemen with power, and Ratledge is a great fit in Detroit. The 6-foot-6, 308-pound Ratledge is strong at the point of attack with the power to generate movement in the ground game. Ratledge was not as dominant in pass protection, but he has the skill set to improve with pro coaching, and the Lions have an excellent offensive line coach. I think Ratledge is a great fit with the Lions with a fighter and bully mentality at the point of attack. Like all college prospects, he will need some development and work, especially at handling pro speed rushes, but the skill set is there for Ratledge to be a well-rounded starter.

The Lions may have pulled another draft day steal with a late-round pick in Christian Mahogany, who was impressive late in 2024 and might be a good starter at left guard for years to come. Ratledge could follow a similar path and step in and start at right guard as soon as his rookie season. Lions right tackle Penei Sewell could be the best offensive lineman in the NFL, and Ratledge will benefit greatly from lining up next to Sewell. Early in his pro career, I think Ratledge will be a solid starter for Detroit.

2024: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB
2023: Jack Campbell, LB
2022: Aidan Hutchinson, DE
2021: Levi Onwuzurike, DT
2020: D’Andre Swift, RB
2019: Austin Bryant, DE
2018: Frank Ragnow, C
2017: Jalen Tabor, CB
2016: Taylor Decker, OT
2015: Laken Tomlinson, G
2014: Travis Swanson, C
2013: Darius Slay, CB

Most Likely To Bust

Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas – Round 3

In the early going of the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa was a consensus day-round prospect, but TeSlaa started to creep up with a nice Senior Bowl performance and a fast 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. TeSlaa was considered to be a likely mid-round pick, and it was a big surprise to see the Lions jump from pick 102 all the way to pick 70 to get TeSlaa. The Lions gave up two 2026 third-round picks along with pick 102. Having three-round picks invest in TeSlaa was a huge price to pay for Detroit. Sources at other teams at a few other teams, they all felt that taking TeSlaa at the top of the third round was a reach. They also felt the Lions paid way too much to get him.

With the Lions, TeSlaa will likely start out as the fourth or fifth wide receiver. Given the draft picks invested in him, he will make the final 53-man roster. TeSlaa will be the backup to Tim Patrick and is the long-term replacement for Patrick. There is no doubt that Detroit will push TeSlaa on the field, and he better become a really good starting receiver to justify having three third-round picks invested in him. While TeSlaa had good timed speed, I question how well he will separate from NFL cornerbacks, and of the Lions’ early-round picks, he looks like the one with the most bust potential.

2024: None
2023: Hendon Hooker, QB
2022: Malcolm Rodriguez, LB
2021: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB
2020: Jonah Jackson, G
2019: Will Harris, S
2018: Tracy Walker, S
2017: Michael Roberts, TE
2016: A’Shawn Robinson, DT
2015: Alex Carter, CB
2014: Eric Ebron, TE
2013: Ezekiel Ansah, DE

Potential Boom Pick

Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State – Round 1

In my mock draft update for March 17th, I had the Detroit Lions taking Tyleik Williams in the first round of my mock draft. While many in the media were sleeping on Williams as a prospect, I heard from a number of team sources that really liked Williams. I thought he could be on the bubble of the first and second round. Williams flashed interior rush ability in 2021 when he put up five sacks and 16 tackles for the Buckeyes. In 2023, he played solid football while recording 54 tackles, three sacks, and five passes defended. Williams had a number of impressive plays against Notre Dame, getting the better of left tackle Joe Alt. Williams could have been a day-two pick, but he returned to Ohio State for his senior season. In 2024, Williams had 46 tackles with 2.5 sacks in helping the Buckeyes win a National Championship. On top of a good college career, sources said Williams was a high character individual and an asset in the locker room. I moved Williams down slightly in mock drafts to come, but come draft day Williams ended up going to the Lions with their first-round pick.

As a pass rusher, Williams (6-3, 334) has a nice skill set to attack offensive linemen. He has a strong build with active hands and the power to shed blocks at the point of attack. Williams has power in his bull rush to knock blockers back and can get penetration into the pocket. To go along with power, Williams has a burst to close and impressive speed for a big interior lineman. He shows some variety in pass-rushing moves with rip, swim, and chop moves. Williams has the upside and the ability to be a quality interior pass rusher in the NFL.

In the ground game, Williams is strong and stout at the point of attack. He holds his gap well with the power in his base to stonewall downhill runs coming straight at him. Williams is also disruptive to blowing runs up in the backfield by getting penetration through his strength or using his quickness to fire his gap and get into the backfield. Williams gets in trouble when he plays too high, so maintaining his pad level and leverage will be important for holding his ground against NFL offensive linemen.

With the Lions, Williams is a great scheme fit. In my scouting report, I compared Williams to Detroit Pro Bowl defensive tackle Alim McNeil, and they look like carbon copies. McNeil is rehabbing a torn ACL, so Williams can start immediately next to veteran nose tackle D.J. Reader. When McNeil returns, they can rotate the trio to keep them fresh. Reader is a free agent after this season, so Williams should step in as the long-term starter next to McNeil. If Williams ends up being as good as McNeil has become, taking him with the 28th pick in the draft will be a boom pick for Detroit.

2024: Terrion Arnold, CB
2023: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
2022: Jameson Williams, WR
2021: Penei Sewell, OT
2020: Jeff Okudah, CB
2019: T.J. Hockenson, TE
2018: Kerryon Johnson, RB
2017: Jarrad Davis, LB
2016: Graham Glasgow, C
2015: Ameer Abdullah, RB
2014: Kyle Van Noy, LB
2013: Larry Warford, G

Future Depth Player

Myles Frazier, G, LSU – Round 5

Even after taking Tate Ratledge, the Lions were not done adding young talent to the interior of their offensice line when they drafted Frazier on day three. It was a nice value pick for Detroit as Frazier was a very solid guard for the Tigers. Frazier (6-6, 317) has power up front and is a potent run blocker. He plays a little high and could have some issues in pass protection that limit him to being a good backup and rotational player, but might not ever be a starting caliber for Detroit.

2024: Giovanni Manu, OT
2023: Brodric Martin, DT
2022: James Mitchell, TE
2021: Alim McNeill, DT
2020: Julian Okwara, OLB
2019: Amani Oruwariye, CB
2018: Da’Shawn Hand, DE
2017: Brad Kaaya, QB
2016: Miles Killebrew, S
2015: Quandre Diggs, CB
2014: Larry Webster, DE
2013: Devin Taylor, DE