The Detroit Lions enter the 2025 NFL Draft possessing the No. 28 overall pick in the first round. Typically, that means it’ll be a long night for Lions fans waiting in anticipation of general manager Brad Holmes selection. However, as we saw in last year’s draft, just because the Lions start the night with a bottom-five pick, Holmes is always looking to make moves, so fans will need to be ready for anything.
To help give Lions fans an idea of when the Lions might make their selection, we’ll look at the last few years of data to get an idea of the anticipated time frame. Additionally, because Holmes could put Detroit on the move, we’ll also look at a few other possible scenarios of when the pick may happen.
If the Lions stay put and pick at No. 28
Note: these are the times the teams announced their selections. Picks are often leaked minutes prior to the official announcement.
2024: Chiefs select WR Xavier Worthy at 11:30 p.m. ET
2023: Bengals select EDGE Myles Murphy at 11:30 p.m. ET
2022: Packers select DT Devonte Wyatt at 11:14 p.m. ET
2021: Saints select EDGE Payton Turner at 11:40 p.m. ET
2020: Ravens select LB Patrick Queen at 11:42 p.m. ET
So if the pattern holds, and the Lions stay put, they’ll likely make their selection sometime between 11:14 and 11:42 p.m. ET.
As a reminder, the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook have wagers available for which position group the Lions will select first, with the defensive line group (defensive tackles and edge rushers) being the favorites:
Defensive Lineman/Edge: -140
Offensive Lineman: +185
Wide receiver: +900
Cornerback: +1000
Linebacker: +2500
Safety: +6000
Holmes gets aggressive (Picks 15-20)
If Holmes elects to be aggressive and trade up into the late teens to select a player, based on last year’s draft, that would put the pick No. 15 through No. 20 selection window between 9:53 – 10:31 p.m. ET.
Holmes replicates last year’s trade up (Picks 21-27)
If Holmes is a bit more conservative with his trade up and executes a deal similar to last year when he acquired Terrion Arnold, that would put the pick No. 21 through No. 27 selection window between 10:41 – 11:20 p.m. ET.
Get your popcorn ready and enjoy the draft.