The Detroit Lions were favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this past season, but fell short vs. the Washington Commanders in a heartbreaking conference title game.
Fortunately, they return in 2025 with most of their roster intact, meaning that they are just a handful of pieces away from getting over the top and reaching the ultimate NFL game.
The Lions are set at the skill positions, quarterback, and most spots on the defense. But the needs they do have are significant at edge, linebacker and interior offensive line.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three first-round fits for the Lions at No. 28 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee Volunteers
The Lions top need is largely edge rusher. They do have Aiden Hutchinson, but he is coming off of an injury. And outside of him, there is not another dominate player coming off the edge.
James Pearce Jr. could fill that role well. He is one of the most electric and athletic players at the position, and was once thought as a contender to be the No. 1 overall pick ahead of the season.
He finished his Tennessee career with 19.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss.
Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
Another major need for the Lions is on the interior of the offensive line, and there might not be a better one in the class than Donovan Jackson out of Ohio State.
Jackson was a force with the Buckeyes, and was a leading force in one of the best offensive lines in the country out of Columbus alongside Josh Simmons, even helping his team take home a national title.
He would fit in well with the Lions culture and help solidify their needs along the front.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Another possibility at edge rusher, Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart might be the best athlete at the position in the entire draft.
The knock on Stewart is that his sack numbers were not there at Texas A&M, with just 4.5 in his three-year career. He did have 61 pressures over that time, however.
He is also a bit more of a project, but if he can hit his ceiling, he could be dominant at the next level.
