Detroit Lions Fans Fire Back at Critics After Team’s 2025 NFL Draft Earns Harsh ‘F’ Grade from National Analysts
Detroit Lions fans are pushing back against what they see as an unfair and shortsighted assessment of their team’s 2025 NFL Draft class, after multiple national outlets gave Detroit one of the lowest draft grades in the league—an unflattering and controversial ‘F.’ The grade came as a shock to many within the Lions’ passionate and loyal fanbase, who believe the team addressed needs, added depth, and stuck to a long-term vision that has fueled one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent NFL history.
The harsh grade triggered immediate reaction across social media platforms and sports talk shows, especially in Detroit, where fans are not only embracing a new era of competitive football but are also fiercely protective of what general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have built since taking over in 2021. The Lions are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances and an NFC Championship Game berth, and the fans’ trust in the front office is arguably at an all-time high.
So when national draft analysts criticized Detroit’s draft class as being “uninspiring,” “reaching for prospects,” and “lacking star power,” fans responded with a mixture of disbelief, sarcasm, and outright anger. Many called the grade “lazy,” while others pointed out that the analysts giving out grades have previously been wrong about Detroit’s choices—most notably when they criticized the Lions’ 2022 and 2023 drafts, which have since produced multiple Pro Bowlers and foundational starters.
One of the main points of contention came from Detroit’s first-round selection, a linebacker from the SEC who some analysts believed the Lions could have gotten in the second or even third round. However, Lions fans pointed out that the player fits perfectly into defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s aggressive, downhill scheme and is exactly the type of high-character, high-motor player Dan Campbell covets. The Lions have shown a clear preference for intangibles and scheme fit over consensus rankings, and that strategy has worked more often than not.
Beyond the first round, Detroit added a handful of developmental players with intriguing upside, including a long, athletic cornerback from the Big Ten, a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing all five positions, and a productive wide receiver who set school records at a mid-major program. The Lions also drafted a tight end late who is viewed by insiders as a potential special teams ace and short-yardage contributor. Each of these picks, while not flashy, fit what Holmes has repeatedly described as “the Lions mold”—tough, smart, and coachable players who love football.
Fans were quick to share clips and college stats on X (formerly Twitter), disputing claims that Detroit’s draft lacked talent. Hashtags like #InHolmesWeTrust and #RestoreTheRoar began trending locally as fans created their own scouting breakdowns and reminded everyone that the same “experts” had once given poor marks to past drafts that eventually produced stars like Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Brian Branch, and Jameson Williams. While no GM bats 1.000, Detroit fans argue that Holmes has earned the benefit of the doubt.
Even local media pushed back on the narrative, with Detroit-based columnists and beat reporters citing the front office’s consistency, vision, and player development infrastructure as reasons to trust the picks. Several pointed to the Lions’ draft-and-develop approach and how the team has often found value where others saw little. One example is 2023 fifth-round pick Colby Sorsdal, a relatively unknown offensive lineman out of William & Mary who ended up starting games and contributing meaningfully during Detroit’s deep playoff run.
The backlash against the ‘F’ grade also reignited the long-standing tension between Detroit and national media. Lions fans have often felt overlooked or disrespected by commentators on the coasts, who for years treated the team as an afterthought or a punchline. That sentiment has only intensified as the Lions have become a legitimate contender while continuing to receive less attention than their big-market counterparts. To many Detroit fans, this draft grade felt less like objective analysis and more like a refusal to update outdated perceptions of the franchise.
Others took a more philosophical stance, arguing that grading a draft immediately after it happens is inherently flawed. History has shown time and again that the real impact of a draft class cannot be properly judged until two or three years down the road, once players have had time to adjust to the NFL, develop in the system, and carve out roles. Fans pointed to examples like 2021 second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike, who struggled early in his career but has since become a key rotational player, showing that patience often pays off.
Moreover, the Lions’ front office has repeatedly emphasized that they are drafting not just for instant impact but for sustained success. That long-term thinking is part of why Holmes and Campbell have been so successful in reshaping the roster, culture, and expectations surrounding the franchise. Instead of chasing headlines with splashy picks, the Lions have consistently made measured, strategic decisions aimed at building a complete, balanced team. That includes adding depth behind aging veterans and developing young talent to step in when needed—moves that don’t always earn high grades in the moment but often look brilliant in hindsight.
Still, not all fans were blindly defensive. Some acknowledged that the class lacked big names and agreed that the first-round pick felt like a reach. But even these fans cautioned against overreaction, noting that Holmes has earned enough goodwill to make an unconventional pick or two. They also reminded skeptics that what matters most isn’t who wins the draft headlines in May, but who is winning games in December and January.
In many ways, the debate over the draft grade mirrors the broader transformation happening in Detroit. A city and fanbase long accustomed to heartbreak, letdowns, and ridicule is now pushing back, full of confidence and swagger rooted in actual results. The Lions are no longer a feel-good story—they’re a force to be reckoned with, and their fans are acting accordingly.
So while the ‘F’ grade may live on in headlines and discussion panels, it’s clear the Lions’ faithful are unfazed. They’ve seen this script before and know that the only grades that truly matter are the ones given out on Sundays. If history is any guide, the same analysts handing out failing grades today could be praising these picks in a year or two.
Until then, Lions fans will continue to ride with the front office that brought them back from irrelevance and into the spotlight. Because for Detroit, this isn’t about proving analysts wrong—it’s about proving that belief, patience, and vision can rewrite even the most hopeless stories.
