A full list of 2025 NFL draft prospects who are connected to all of the Lions' new coaches and have a chance to be drafted by Detroit

The Detroit Lions have a few things going on right now. On Tuesday they announced their full coaching staff and that had the addition of a bunch of guys from the college ranks. They're also fully into the 2025 NFL Draft process which features a bunch of college players of course.  Sometimes we write stuff […]

Mike Payton Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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The Detroit Lions have a few things going on right now. On Tuesday they announced their full coaching staff and that had the addition of a bunch of guys from the college ranks. They're also fully into the 2025 NFL Draft process which features a bunch of college players of course. 

Sometimes we write stuff for ourselves so that we can keep track of things and then share them with the world. This is one of those times. We wanted to see who all these new coaches are connected to in the draft. Here's what we found: 

Running backs coach Tashard Choice

Choice is coming from Texas where he was the Longhorns running backs coach. While he primarily worked with running backs, he also had a hand just about everywhere in Texas' offense. Here are some names to watch for him: 

  • WR Matthew Golden, Texas
  • OL Cameron Williams, Texas
  • TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
  • QB Quinn Ewers, Texas

Golden is really the guy to keep the closest eye on since the Lions are likely to be looking for a receiver in this year's draft. He has the size and speed the team is looking for in that WR3 spot. Don't completely rule out Ewers. 

Tight ends coach Tyler Roehl

Roehl is coming from Iowa State but also has a long history at North Dakota State. He has coached running backs, tight ends and has been an offensive coordinator. Here are the guys to watch for him: 

  • WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
  • WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
  • OL Gray Zabel, North Dakota State

Right off the bat, you have to watch Zabel for sure. He's been rising up the board and the Lions could use some help at guard for now and in the future. Roehl was with Zabel at North Dakota State. After that, it's all about Higgins. One of the top receivers in the class and a solid fit for Detroit's offense. '

Passing game coordinator David Shaw

Shaw was the head coach at Stanford until 2022, so he caught some of these guys early into their college careers. Here's who he is connected to:

  • WR, Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

Ayomanor is someone who has been mocked to the Lions multiple times already and he would be a solid fit for the offense. Shaw vouching for him would be a big plus. 

Offensive quality control coach Justin Mesa

Mesa comes to the Lions from Montana State but spent time a lot of time at Washington State. He coached on both offense and special teams in both spots. 

  • WR Kyle Williams, Washington State

There aren't a lot of Washington State guys in this year's draft, but Williams is one to watch and he will be at the 2025 NFL Combine. We'll be looking to learn more about Mesa and Williams there. 

Offensive assistant Marques Tuiasosopo

Tuiasosopo was the offensive coordinator at Rice for the last four years. He helped Luck McCaffrey get picked in the third-round of last year's draft. Here's who he's connected to in this year's draft: 

  • QB JT Daniels, Rice

That's it for Rice players at the moment. Daniels is not going to get drafted, but he could be a UDFA prospect or a rookie mini-camp tryout. 

Defensive assistant Caleb Collins

Collins is coming from Baylor where he spent the last four years working with outside linebackers. Here's who is out there for Baylor: 

  • Edge Steve Linton, Baylor

Well, what do you know? The only guy out there happens to be outside linebacker Steve Linton. He's been a pretty decent pass rusher for Baylor. In 2024 he put up 25 pressures and four sacks for the Bears and he did it all with Collins as his coach. He is one to keep an eye on for sure.