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Amon-Ra St. Brown Gains All-American Teammate in New Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lorenzo J. Reyna | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 6:45 PM ET

Former USC Trojans star Amon-Ra St. Brown is predicted to team with a past All-American come April 24. The Detroit Lions, in the process, bolster a massive need through this projected newcomer.

The star Lions wide receiver and his team are picked to welcome Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College, with Garrett Poddell of CBS Sports making the new prediction in his Monday mock draft. Poddell writes the Eagles star edge rusher "will fit in nicely" at the Motor City with St. Brown and company.

"The Lions were absolutely decimated by injuries along their defensive line in 2024, so they select Ezeiruaku, the 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year whose 16.5 sacks were the second most in the nation," Poddell writes.

Detroit lost top pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson as part of the injury pileup. The lack of extra rush help bit the Lions in the end -- as Detroit didn't produce a single sack of Jayden Daniels in its NFC Divisional round playoff loss.

Ezeiruaku is undersized at 6-foot-2, 248-pounds. But Poddell is impressed with his get-off after the snap -- which gets him believing he'll be a fit in Detroit.

"He showcased a steady dose of explosion off the ball at the combine. The consensus All-American will fit in nicely with the NFC North champs," Poddell wrote.

Ezeiruaku will need to adjust to an even man front if he comes over to Detroit. The Eagles inserted him as a rush linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. But he hit offensive lines with his mixture of length and cat-quick speed.

Lance Zierlein of the NFL Network is one more fan of Ezeiruaku's play. He even compared him to a former Pro Bowler who's similar in stature: Yannick Ngakoue.

"He’s quick off the snap, using bend and agility to win at the top of the rush or make stops in the backfield," Zierlein wrote.

Ezeiruaku will enter the league with the size dilemma, though. Zierlein noticed how opposing blockers engulfed him once they latched onto him. Ezeiruaku will need to refine his hand moves to last in the league.

But, Detroit can become enamored with his edge speed and explosive first step if he's available at No. 28. And the USC legend St. Brown witnesses a faster defensive line during training camp if Ezeiruaku comes over.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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