Final 7 round Detroit Lions mock draft ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft with UDFAs, everything we've learned this offseason leads us to these picks

Everyone is likely hoping for something sexy and exciting here, but at the end of the day, it just feels like this is the move right here. It's not a bad move at all, and there should be some excitement here. This guy could be a big piece of the future of this offensive line. 

Zabel can not only be a guard right away, but he could potentially be Frank Ragnow's replacement when the day comes for him to walk away. 

While a trade up doesn't feel out of the question at all, I had to go with my gut on this one, and my gut is telling me that the Lions trading out of the second and playing in the third round with three picks just feels like a spot where Holmes can win. Here's the trade with the Giants:

Lions get: 65th and 99th pick
Giants get: 60th and 130th pick

Barely moved down, but moved up big from the fourth round. The Lions would have to take off the first two rounds of Day three, but it'll be worth it. 

It's just not lost on us that the Lions have been paying so much attention to this guy. He's had a top-30, they went ot his Pro Day, he's had numerous virtual meetings. Stewart said the Lions were one of the handful of teams who have talked to him the most. 

He's just a classic example of a good player being looked down upon because of his size and the Lions not caring about any of that stuff and drafting him anyway because he's clearly good despite the size stuff. Stewart is the future guy opposite Hutchinson, and Detroit gets him as a steal here. 

We mocked Sanker to the Lions a few times early because it just felt like a good fit after the NFL Combine, and we know that he had a formal meeting there. Then they had him in for a top-30 visit, and that just kind of reinforced that early thought. 

Sanker gives the Lions a lot of opportunity at safety. There are chances for three safety looks, he can start if they need to move Branch to the slot for any reason, and beyond that, he can just be a good depth piece and special-teams player. 

Look, man, I know that it might be a joke that I keep putting this guy in mock drafts, but it's not just because I like him. It's because the fit is just undeniable, and we know the Lions are interested. They had a formal meeting with him at the Combine and then went out to the Illinois pro day as well. We were not able to find out if he had a top-30 with the team, but I'd bet money that he did. 

He's a guy who plays hard, blocks hard, and is a leader. What more do you need to see? 

A kid who played at Cass Tech is coming back to Detroit. Another guy the Lions have been around a lot. They had a formal with him at the combine, and he was invited to their local pro day too. 

This guy hits and hits hard. He plays very violent football, and that is Dan Campbell and the Lions' style. He's also a strong run defender and special-teams guy, too. 

The Lions being in the market for a tight end shouldn't be surprising. Hawes is a classic tight end in the sense that this guy is block first and he blocks his butt off. 

He just reminds me so much of Dan Campbell, too. The guy who is on the field looking to hit someone, even though the ball carrier is on the other side of the field. Plus, the Lions did meet with him at the Combine.

This guy was just so good last year, and the Lions had him in for a top-30 as well. There's some interest there for sure. You can say that maybe they could just wait and try to grab him as an undrafted free agent, but why risk it when you have a pick this low? 

Larison brings versatility, and while he was primarily a running back at UC-Davis, he probably makes more sense as a receiver who can do things as a ball carrier sometimes. He's like the next logical step once Kalif Ramond is no longer in Detroit. 

• Ruben Hypolite, LB, Maryland: This guy wowed everyone at his Pro Day when he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. There's an athlete there, and the Lions might want to see where that goes.
• Laki Tasi, DT, IPP: A giant Australian import who has some strong athleticism, but needs to take time to learn the game. With the exemptions that the Lions would get for having him, it's worth it. 
• O'Donnell Fortune, CB, South Carolina:  Can be a ball hawk, but needs to work on tackling and run-stopping.
• Bru McCoy, WR, Tennessee: Dealt with some injuries at Tennessee, but has solid size and speed that are worth taking a flier on.
• Cole Snyder, QB, Eastern Michigan: There's a chance they actually take a QB earlier, but if they don't, a guy who could make a name for himself at camp and on the practice squad is worth it. 
• Josh Preibe, OL, Michigan: Started for Michigan in 2024 and played pretty well. Could be a solid practice squad lineman. 
• Joaquin Davis, WR, North Carolina Central: Sign me up for a 6-foot-4 receiver who can run a 4.36 40 any day of the week.
• Seth Coleman, Edge, Illinois: The Lions met with him at the Hula Bowl