We’re exactly two week from the 2025 NFL Draft, and the majority of the discussion for the Detroit Lions has been about the trenches.
It makes a lot of sense for a couple of reasons. One, the Lions have shown that they value the trenches on each side of the ball—with one of their main philosophies being to establish the run on offense and stop the run on defense. Additionally, two of their biggest losses in free agency—offensive guard Kevin Zeitler and defensive end Za’Darius Smith—were not addressed with a free agency addition.
However, I’ve exhausted myself talking about the trench options in free agency. Let’s, instead, talk about a need that may not be pressing, but is a need nonetheless: wide receiver.
Both Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond are in the final year of their contract, Jameson Williams’ future beyond his rookie contract is very much up in the air, and the Lions don’t really have any developmental players we can expect to make the jump into starter territory (maaaybe Antonie Green). So it’s no surprise that coach Dan Campbell said last week that they’re interested in adding a young piece or two to the room.
“We would love to bring in more competition, particularly some youth,” Campbell said. “That would help, and let them all mix it up. Get in there and see where it all falls.”
So today’s Question of the Day is:
When should the Lions address wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft?
My answer: I don’t have a problem with them addressing it in the first round, if the player is right. Now, I don’t have a player I particularly love with the 28th overall pick, and there really isn’t a prospect I believe is worth trading up for. If Tetairoa McMillan is somehow still there at 28, then I wouldn’t mind pulling the trigger, but that’s about it.
There are far more options on Day 2 of the draft that I think would warrant either the 60th or 102nd pick from the Lions. Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins, Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor, or TCU’s Jack Bech all make sense on Day 2, and I would fully support the selection of any of those players.
So, in a vacuum, I don’t think it would ever be too early for the Lions to pick up a receiver in this draft, but the sweet spot seems to be on Day 2.
What do you think? Vote in the poll below and share your overall thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of the page.