The Athletic has live coverage of the second and third rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Read more of The Athletic’s coverage from the 2025 NFL Draft: Best Players Available | Round 1 Grades | Rounds 2 & 3 Grades | Round 1 Winners & Losers
The Detroit Lions entered the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24 with seven picks over the three-day draft.
They made Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams their top pick at No. 28, then turned their attention to offense in Rounds 2 and 3. They traded picks 60 and 130 to the Denver Broncos to move up to select Georgia guard Tate Ratledge at No. 57. They also earned pick No. 230 (seventh round) in the trade. Then, shortly thereafter, they traded No. 102 and two 2026 third-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up to No. 70 and select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. The Lions also earned the 182nd pick (sixth round) in 2025 and another sixth-round pick in 2026 in the deal.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Lions pick.
Round 1
No. 28: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
How he fits
Detroit’s defense completely fell apart due to injury last season and the Lions needed to address that. Williams is a great fit in the NFC North, a division that loves to hammer the football. Detroit left some edge talent on the board here and Williams is a bit more limited in terms of versatility, but he should be an impact run defender quickly in Detroit. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Williams needs further development as a pass rusher, but he is one of the best run-defending linemen in the draft class because of his recognition skills and disciplined execution at deconstructing blocks. He has the type of skill set that will be appreciated by NFL coaches.
Colton Pouncy’s analysis
Tyleik Williams is nimble, instinctive and a prototypical Lions NFL Draft pick
Lions draft DT Tyleik Williams: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Round 2
No. 57 (via Broncos): Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
How he fits
This is a Dan Campbell pick, which is why the Lions moved up three spots to get him. A prototypical interior power performer, Ratledge (6-6 1/2, 308) fought through injuries to start 37 games at Georgia. Ratledge was first-team All-SEC in each of the last two seasons and was a first-team All-American last fall despite missing four games with an ankle injury. He still came back in time to help Georgia win the SEC championship. He’s a plug-and-play guard, sneaky athletic and will fit seamlessly with the Lions. — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Ratledge is a self-described “dirtbag” with the contact power, competitive edge and functional movement skills to match up against NFL defensive linemen. He should compete for a starting role as a rookie and has the necessary tools for a decade-long pro career, if he stays
healthy.
Colton Pouncy’s analysis
With Kevin Zeitler off to the Tennessee Titans and Graham Glasgow getting up there in age, the Lions were in need of more at guard. They found it in Ratledge, one of the best guards available in the entire class. Ratledge comes from a Georgia program that ran both zone and gap, which makes him a fit as he joins one of the most diverse run schemes in the NFL.
Ratledge is good enough to start from Day 1. He is. The Lions will likely have a competition to settle the starting gigs, which will come down to Ratledge, Christian Mahogany and Glasgow. It’s only a matter of time before Ratledge takes over, but the Lions aren’t afraid to roll with rookies to begin the season. If he proves himself to be one of the best two guards, he’ll be a Week 1 starter … and a potential long-term answer in Detroit.
Round 3
No. 70 (via Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
How he fits
This is a pretty classic Brad Holmes pick, as the Lions gave up a lot to move up in the third for one of the biggest receivers in this class at 6-4, 214, with 4.43 speed and a near 40-inch vertical leap. This is not a polished player and many teams had him much lower than Round 3, but the Lions’ wide receiver need is more long-term than short-term. My fear is that TeSlaa was a better tester than performer, as he never caught more than 34 passes in Power Four action. Detroit also still hasn’t selected an edge yet. — Nick Baumgardner
With the 70th pick of the 2025 @NFLDraft the @Lions have selected @RazorbackFB WR @TeslaaIsaac.
Teslaa ranked fifth in the @SEC with a 19.5 receiving average in 2024.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/y6E6c6iLW1
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 26, 2025
Dane Brugler’s analysis
TeSlaa is still very much a work in progress with his route running and ability to create space, but the athletic tools and ball skills are exceptional and the football character and toughness will help sway doubters. He projects as a depth receiver with upside on offense and special teams.
Fantasy impact
TeSlaa can run free — away from and past corners, plus slip into space — even though he could use some route refinement. There is potential here with TeSlaa possibly pushing to start alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown in Year 2, especially with the talk of the Lions being so-so on Jameson Williams. Well, TeSlaa in that Williams role would be a nice WR4, making him a solid late-round flier in redraft and good Round 2 pick in dynasty. — Jake Ciely
Round 6
No. 182 (via Jaguars)
Round 6
No. 196 (via Buccaneers)
Round 7
No. 228 (via Cowboys)
Round 7
No. 230 (via Broncos)
Round 7
No. 244
(Photo of Isaac TeSlaa: Nelson Chenault / Imagn Images)
