The Detroit Lions traded up from the No. 60 pick to the No. 57 pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, but the team did not take an edge rusher yet again.
Instead, the Lions drafted Georgia guard Tate Ratledge, which addresses a major need. With Graham Glasgow coming off a down season and Kevin Zeitler gone to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, the Lions have question marks at both guard spots.
Now, Ratledge will compete for a starting job with Christian Mahogany and Kayode Awosika, and Glasgow may have to compete for a job, also. At the very least, Glasgow may not be safe if he begins the year as a starter and struggles.
The Lions had another crack at an edge rusher when they traded up to the No. 70 pick in Round 3, but they used that selection on Arkansas wideout, Isaac TeSlaa.
Why did Lions pass on edge rusher in Round 2?
We know general manager Brad Holmes doesn't draft based on need alone and will always take the best player on his board over reaching for a prospect simply because of a need on the roster.
"I think you can get in trouble chasing needs sometimes, and then you're depending on a rookie," Holmes earlier this month. "You do the best you can, but nobody has a crystal ball. So, it can be a tough world to live in."
"There's just a level of patience you have to (have). When you start chasing need, it's like that need might make sense for right now at this time," Holmes added. "We make these picks for future investments. We kind of live in a society that everything is, 'Right now! Right now! Right now!'"
Last but not least, the Lions had a need at both guard and wide receiver, although wide receiver wasn't as dire of a need as edge rusher was.
Lions remaining 2025 NFL draft picks
- Round 6, Pick 182
- Round 6, Pick 196
- Round 7, Pick 228
- Round 7, Pick 230
- Round 7, Pick 244
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