The Detroit Lions will have the 28th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft next month and right now it just feels hard to see them actually picking there. The best move feels like a trade down into the second round to grab some extra picks, but a trade-up also makes a lot of sense for this team right now. 

The reasoning being that the Lions' roster is in really good shape and they have the opportunity to grab some guys who could help push it over the edge. If they could trade up to get one of those guys, now would be the time that it would be worth it. 

It certainly wouldn't be the first time the Lions have traded up in the first-round. They did it last year with Terrion Arnold when they moved from 29 to 24. They also moved from 32 to 12 to get Jameson Willims in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

With all that in mind, if the Lions are going to move up, these are the guys that they'd probably do it for: 

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

It's not hard to see the vision for this one. This guy can do so many things on the field and can do them well. Not only is he great in coverage, but he can also get after the quarterback. He had eight sacks for Bama last year. He's also a tremendous run-stopper. What a get he would be. 

The Lions might get lucky and get a chance to get him at 28, but it's not super likely to happen. If they wanted him they may have to move up into the low teens to be safe. 

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama 

The Lions need to replace Kevin Zeitler and get their interior offensive line settled for the future. Why not do it with the very best guard in this year's draft? Booker allowed seven pressures and no sacks last year. He is a grown man on the football field and he fits the Lions very well. The problem is that they would have to move up to get him. 

Tettairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

"We are not a needs-based drafting team" That's what Brad Holmes said at the 2025 NFL Combine earlier this month. I know everyone wants an edge rusher and the Lions do too, but they really don't need to move up for one when this is a pretty deep class. What the Lions might move up for is a chance to be the most unstoppable offense maybe ever. 

McMillan gives them a chance to do that with his insane catch radius, size, speed, and every other ability he has. I'm not saying this is the move that they make, but I would definitely not rule it out. 

‘We’re not a needs-based drafting team’ Brad Holmes does not want you to expect the Lions to do anything

I've been covering the Detroit Lions since 2014. I've had to try to figure out three different general managers. Of all three of those guys, there hasn't been one that it seems some media and some fans think they have figured out more than Brad Holmes. Some just think they know what he's going to […]