Detroit Lions’ 2025 NFL Draft: Bold Gambles, Controversial Picks, and Risk-Reward Decisions That Could Shape the Franchise’s Future

The 2025 NFL Draft was anything but ordinary for the Detroit Lions, a team that entered the offseason with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. After reaching the NFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons, the franchise and its passionate fanbase were looking to take the final step toward the sport’s ultimate prize. Instead of playing it safe and supplementing an already talented roster with plug-and-play prospects, the Lions made waves with bold moves, surprising selections, and a few decisions that raised eyebrows across the league. General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell once again showed they aren’t afraid to trust their instincts—even if that means zigging when the consensus zags.

From trading up aggressively to acquire a player many experts had projected to be available later, to bypassing key needs in favor of long-term developmental projects, the Lions’ 2025 draft strategy was anything but conservative. It was a calculated risk, and one that could either cement Holmes’ status as one of the NFL’s premier front-office minds or open him up to criticism if things go sideways in the coming seasons.

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing move came on Day 1, when the Lions traded their first-round pick (No. 28 overall), a 2026 second-rounder, and a fourth-rounder to move up to No. 19. The target: Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Royal, a physical, 6-foot-2 defensive back with elite athletic traits and a mean streak that fits Campbell’s vision of “grit football.” But Royal was widely considered a raw prospect with only one year of elite production in the SEC, and many evaluators had him pegged as a late first-round or early second-round talent. The Lions’ decision to trade up for him sent a clear message—they’re betting on traits, toughness, and upside rather than waiting for a player to develop naturally.

Royal wasn’t the only selection that drew mixed reactions. In the second round, Detroit selected Michigan State wide receiver DeShawn Fowler, a burner with 4.32 speed but inconsistent hands and an injury history that made several teams cautious. On the surface, the pick makes sense. The Lions needed a deep threat to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, especially with Josh Reynolds departing in free agency. But using premium draft capital on a player with durability questions sparked concern among analysts and fans alike. Is Fowler the next big-play threat in Detroit’s vertical attack, or another talented athlete who struggles to stay on the field?

Then there was the most polarizing move of all: the Lions’ third-round selection of quarterback Myles Leach from Tulane. Leach had been on some draft boards as a potential Day 3 sleeper—big arm, great mobility, and off-the-charts leadership qualities. But spending a third-round pick on a QB when Jared Goff has been solid and the team just extended him through 2027? That felt like a statement. Whether it’s a sign that the Lions are hedging their bets or simply looking to develop a reliable backup with long-term potential, the pick surprised nearly everyone. Some speculated that Leach may have risen up the team’s internal rankings after private workouts or character interviews, but without a pressing need at quarterback, the pick felt like a luxury few contending teams can afford.

Detroit’s middle-round picks added more intrigue. In the fourth round, the Lions took Stanford edge rusher Julian Bryant, a high-motor pass rusher who recorded double-digit sacks in 2024 but lacks prototypical size and strength. At just 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Bryant will have to prove he can hang with NFL linemen and set the edge in the run game. Still, his knack for disrupting plays and relentless energy could earn him a situational role as a rookie.

In the fifth and sixth rounds, the Lions opted for developmental linemen on both sides of the ball, taking interior offensive lineman Kadeem Soto from Texas Tech and nose tackle Marcus Hall from Georgia Southern. Soto brings versatility, having started at both guard spots and center during his college career, but he needs work on his technique and core strength. Hall, meanwhile, is a space-eater with above-average agility for a 320-pounder, but questions about his conditioning and motor made him a fringe draftable prospect for some teams.

By the time Detroit reached its seventh-round pick, the fanbase was split—some admired the front office’s fearless approach, others questioned whether the Lions had maximized the value of their draft assets. Their final selection, cornerback-turned-safety Leo Mays from North Carolina, was a classic Campbell pick: a special teams demon with attitude, swagger, and violent tackling ability. Mays may never become a full-time starter, but he could carve out a niche on special teams and serve as a tone-setter on defense.

What’s clear is that the Lions didn’t enter the draft looking to merely “fill holes.” Holmes and Campbell weren’t content to patch up roster gaps with average players; they targeted high-upside athletes, physical tone-setters, and mentally tough competitors. That’s a risky strategy for a team on the brink of championship contention, but it’s also consistent with the culture they’ve built over the last three seasons. In a league where many GMs play it safe and try not to lose their jobs, Detroit is drafting like a team that’s trying to win big.

Of course, the Lions’ front office will face criticism if some of these bets don’t pay off. Maxwell Royal could struggle with the adjustment to NFL speed and schemes. Fowler might remain inconsistent and fragile. Myles Leach could never see the field in meaningful action. But if even two of these swings connect, Detroit could emerge with the kind of impact players that elevate a roster from very good to elite. This draft wasn’t about minimizing risk—it was about chasing greatness.

One aspect that must be mentioned is how the Lions continue to emphasize culture and identity in their player evaluations. Time and again during post-draft press conferences, Holmes and Campbell mentioned toughness, football IQ, and team-first mentality. They drafted players who love the grind, who want to hit, who want to play through pain, and who bring energy to the building. That philosophy has turned the Lions into a team no one wants to face. Whether or not this draft class produces Pro Bowlers, it almost certainly added more fuel to that identity.

That said, not every critic is sold. Some national analysts called the Royal trade “reckless,” while others questioned why Detroit didn’t address the defensive interior earlier. Others wondered whether passing on top tight end and linebacker prospects could come back to haunt the team in December and January, when depth becomes vital. The concern isn’t necessarily about the players taken—it’s about the ones they left on the board.

Time will tell if this draft was the bold masterstroke that put Detroit over the top, or a series of gambles that left too many gaps in a roster that was otherwise ready for prime time. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. This draft won’t be fully judged until 2026 or 2027, when these prospects have had time to develop—or flame out.

Still, there’s something to be said for vision. Holmes and Campbell have rebuilt the Lions into a legitimate contender not by following consensus but by doubling down on their convictions. This year’s draft was no different. It was loud. It was risky. It was controversial. And it may be exactly what Detroit needed to take the next step.