Tim Twentyman
The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will put a bow on the 2025 season when they square off in Super Bowl LX Sunday in San Francisco. For the league's 30 other teams, preparation has already begun for the NFL Draft with the NFL Scouting Combine kicking off later this month and the start of free agency in March.
The Lions currently have the No. 17 overall pick in this year's draft, but general manager Brad Holmes has shown a willingness to move both up and back if needed.
The early mock drafts favor the Lions either taking an edge rusher, getting offensive line help or adding to their cornerback room.
Here's a look at who the early set of mock drafts have the Lions selecting at No. 17:
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com:Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Why:Mesidor would thrive oppositeAidan Hutchinson, going from one dynamic pass-rush duo (with Rueben Bain Jr. at Miami) to another.
Jeremiahs full mock
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com:Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Why:Bully deluxe! When it comes to energy, attitude and block destruction, Young is that guy -- and he has rush upside with more development.
Zierlein's full mock
Eric Edholm, NFL.com:Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Why:Terrell projects inside, and his play style fits what the Lions seek in defenders.
Edholms full mock
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com:Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
Why:The Lions' o-line was hit hard by center Frank Ragnow's sudden retirement last year, and now left tackleTaylor Deckeris mulling his future, as well -- which could make offensive tackle a top priority. Proctor needs to smooth out the rough parts of his game, but his potential to develop into a franchise-caliber tackle would make the gamble worth the risk at this point.
Brooks full mock
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN:Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Why:Jared Goffwould appreciate Ioane's ability to sustain blocks and that he hasn't given up a sack since 2023. AndJahmyr GibbsandDavid Montgomerywill love the way Ioane gets to the second level and moves defenders out of rushing lanes.
Kipers full mock
Matt Miller, ESPN:Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Why:Faulk has the versatility to play inside or outside at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, and the power he generates would keep offensive lines honest. His two sacks last season were a disappointment after a seven-sack campaign in 2024, but Faulk has fans around the league who see him as an ideal hybrid defensive lineman.
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State (No. 50)
Why:Should Decker retire, there's a good chance that Penei Sewell would flip from the right side to replace him. Iheanachor, who played well at the Senior Bowl, could slot in as Detroit's right tackle in that case.
Millers full mock
Jordan Reid, ESPN:Caleb Lomu, T, Utah
Why:Detroit needs young talent on the offensive line, and Lomu is a 6-foot-6, 304-pound redshirt sophomore who is loaded with potential. He improved his consistency in pass protection this season, giving up only six pressures and zero sacks, but Lomu still needs to add strength to his frame to become a better run blocker.
Reid's full mock
Ayrton Ostly, USA Today:Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
Why:Proctor is an outlier athlete at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds. He has all of the tools to be a long-term tackle but might start out at guard to improve his consistency. Good luck getting Lions head coach Dan Campbell to pass on Proctor after seeing Alabama utilizing him as a receiver on screens.
Ostlys full mock
Jacob Camenker, USA Today:Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
Why:The Lions will likely have to rebuild their offensive line with Dan Skipper retiring and Decker nearing the end of his career. Copilot knows this and that's why it gave Proctor who it says has "outlier size and athleticism" to Detroit. This seems like a great fit, as Campbell and Hank Fraley should be able to milk a lot out of the 6-7, 369-pound tackle.
Camenker's full mock
Charles McDonald and Nate Tice, Yahoo Sports:Caleb Lomu, T, Utah
Why:Lomu plays calm with light feet, and he has a good frame but could stand to add strength to take his game to the next level. I'm bullish on Lomu and think he could end up as a good starter on the blindside as he matures. A timeline behind Decker with Fraley coaching him would be an ideal situation.
McDonald and Tices full mock
Mike Renner, CBS Sports:Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Why:Delane was the best man corner in college football this fall, and the Lions are one of the man-heaviest teams in the NFL.
Renners full mock
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports:Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Why:Cisse is a versatile corner who can consistently lock down receivers in press-man coverage and showcases elite athleticism, with explosive downhill speed and next-level change-of-direction ability. Whether he's driving on quick routes from off coverage or playing in press, he's consistently in position for pass breakup opportunities. He's also one of the best run-defending CBs in this entire class.
Wilsons full mock
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports:David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Why:The Lions take another swing by drafting one of college football's most productive pass rushers in 2025. Bailey had 14.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season for the Red Raiders.
Edwards full mock
Blake Brockermeyer, CBS Sports:Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia
Why:Long and athletic, Freeling is one of the few true pure left tackles in this draft. He shows good feet, versatility to play either tackle spot and solid run-blocking ability with a big frame and strong hand usage. He moves well in space and at the second level.
Brockermeyers full mock
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus:Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Why:Mesidor will be 25 years old on draft night, but he's a ready-made NFL pass rusher, having earned a 94.2 PFF pass-rush grade versus true pass sets in 2025, in addition to generating a 20.8% pass-rush win rate. Being ready to slot in immediately makes Mesidor worthy of a first-round pick for a team in a winning window.
Sikkema's full mock
Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus:Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami
Why:Detroit gets a potential steal here in Mauigoa. His 86.4 PFF pass-blocking grade is sixth among all FBS tackles this year, while his 78.4 PFF run-blocking grade is 20th. Mauigoa has played right tackle his entire career, but either he or Sewell is capable of switching to the left side.
Chadwick's full mock
Sam Dehring, Sports Illustrated:Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
Why:Proctor has a tremendous amount of upside. He still has some skills to polish up, surely, but he would be the perfect guy to stick on that other tackle spot for the Lions and potentially anchor for years to come.
Dehring's full mock
Daniel Flick, Sports Illustrated:Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
Why:At 6'4" and 323 pounds, Ioane is physical and moves defenders in the run game. He's stout as a pass blocker, too, as he didn't allow a sack or quarterback hit this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Flicks full mock
Fox Sports staff:Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Why:The brother of All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon Terrell has had a ton of production in three seasons at Clemson, recording 25 passes defended, 125 total tackles, eight forced fumbles, four sacks, and three interceptions in 1,860 defensive snaps played in that span.
Fox Sports' full mock
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News:T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Why:The Lions need to have a physical thumper to better complement Hutchinson at end in their 4-3. Parker's strength and power can feed well off Hutchinson's quickness.
Iyers full mock
