The No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions were bounced out of the playoffs in the Divisional Round. It’s a result that will sit with the franchise for years to come, but the front office must turn its attention to free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Let’s set the table for them and use the CFN Mock Draft Simulator to build out a potentially franchise-saving seven-rounder.
7-Round Detroit Lions Mock Draft
Despite going 15-2, the Lions have plenty of holes to fill. Injuries decimated the roster’s depth and exposed weaknesses. While the decision-makers will attempt to fill most of those on the open market, several will need to be amended in the draft.
Dan Campbell is one heck of a head coach, but offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn could leave for promotions this offseason. If so, an even higher premium will be placed on acquiring talent to offset a potential lack of continuity in the coaching staff.
28) Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Shemar Stewart is already an elite run defender who can control gaps, which should lead to playing time early. However, thanks to his length and raw strength, he also has immense potential as a pass rusher.
At 6’6″ and nearly 290 pounds, Stewart already looks the part of a starting NFL EDGE, but his movement skills at that size are even more impressive and could cause a massive rise throughout the pre-draft process.
60) Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Standing at a listed 6’4″ and 200 pounds, Darien Porter is one of the more physically imposing CBs in the 2025 class. That’s not even accounting for his track background, where he was a high school state champion in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
Porter isn’t the most technically refined, particularly in his footwork and press hand usage, but his rare tools will likely cause a franchise to pull the trigger early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
131) Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Jack Bech lost his brother, Tiger, in the New Orleans truck attack. He already played with a visible determination that coaches love. Now, he has his brother with him on every snap.
But Bech is more than his heartbreaking story — he’s one of the easiest evaluations in the 2025 WR class. As a former TE, physicality isn’t an issue for Bech, but what’s more impressive is his nuanced route running at 6’2″ and 215 pounds.
195) CJ West, DT, Indiana
Will CJ West ever be an elite sack generator? No, but he doesn’t have to be. He uses all of his 6’2″ and 315-pound frame to fill gaps and force stops near the line of scrimmage. And while he doesn’t get home often, his presence up the middle frees up those around him to get after the QB.
229) Luke Newman, G, Michigan State
Following three years as Holy Cross’ star blindside protector, the Spartans kicked Luke Newman inside for the 2024 season.
KEEP READING: 2025 NFL Draft IOL Rankings
The move will make Newman’s FCS-to-FBS transition more palatable, but he has the footwork and experience to operate at OT in a pinch. Newman varies his sets and works to keep his hands inside his opponent’s frame, stalling out rush attempts.
245) Kenny Gallop Jr., S, Howard
Kenny Gallop Jr. is one of the best prospects the HBCU stage has to offer this year. Across four seasons, the 6’0″, 214-pound DB generated 305 tackles, 16 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, two INTs, 15 PBUs, and three forced fumbles.
He primarily lined up in the box and at deep safety, but he also saw snaps in the slot, at outside corner, and on the edge. But Gallop deserves a draft selection for his violence in run support and consistent tackling.
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