The Detroit Lions’ 2025 NFL Draft selections have sparked an intense wave of criticism from several national sports media outlets, with one prominent publication even going so far as to assign the team a brutal “F” grade. The grade has ignited a firestorm among fans, many of whom feel that the assessment is both unfair and disconnected from the reality of the team’s current direction and long-term strategy. In the wake of the backlash, passionate Lions supporters have flooded social media platforms, online forums, and radio call-ins to defend the team’s choices, arguing that the front office made calculated and intelligent decisions rooted in player development, team culture, and schematic fit — values that go beyond headline-grabbing selections.
The draft, held in Detroit this year to the thrill of the local crowd, began with a somewhat unexpected pick in the first round. Rather than opting for a popular name projected to go early, Detroit chose a lesser-known defensive back from a smaller program — a player with elite athletic traits but limited national exposure. Analysts were quick to pan the selection, claiming the Lions reached far too early and passed on more proven talent. However, fans familiar with the team’s needs and the coaching staff’s preferences immediately recognized what the front office was aiming for: versatility, toughness, and scheme adaptability in a position group that was thin late last season. To them, it was less about playing it safe and more about taking a calculated bet on a player who could grow into a major contributor.
The criticism only intensified as the Lions continued to draft players who didn’t match mainstream expectations. Rather than targeting high-profile prospects, they leaned into their board — selecting gritty, developmental players with high football IQs and strong leadership qualities. Some analysts labeled it “the least exciting draft of the weekend,” citing a lack of flash. Yet to Detroit fans, excitement isn’t found in glamour picks — it’s found in winning football games. And under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have proven that their system of identifying talent works, even if it doesn’t get immediate applause from pundits.
The memory of the Lions’ recent success — including a deep playoff run last season and a division title — is still fresh in fans’ minds. Many supporters pointed out that these same analysts had questioned past drafts that ultimately produced foundational players like Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell. Those selections, too, received mixed reviews at the time, only to turn out to be home runs in retrospect. That history has earned the front office a level of trust and credibility that fans now defend passionately. To them, the “F” grade isn’t just wrong — it’s dismissive of a front office that has rebuilt the franchise from a perennial bottom-dweller into a genuine contender.
Social media has played a central role in the fan-driven counter-narrative. Hashtags like #InBradWeTrust and #OnePride have trended locally, as fans share film breakdowns, college performance stats, and combine measurables of the newly drafted players. Many fans have become amateur scouts themselves, pointing out that several of the picks had impressive pre-draft visits, strong Senior Bowl performances, and clear schematic alignment with the Lions’ current systems. In this way, the Lions’ fan base has demonstrated both passion and football literacy — attributes that are often overlooked when outsiders judge a team’s moves purely by media consensus.
In addition to statistics and tape, many fans have pointed to the character and background of the drafted players as a reason to believe in the draft class. The Lions’ front office has long emphasized mental toughness, love for the game, and resilience — traits that don’t always show up on scouting reports but have repeatedly proved valuable in the locker room. One fourth-round linebacker pick, for instance, overcame homelessness as a teenager and served as a captain for three years at his college program. Another offensive lineman drafted late grew up in Michigan and expressed overwhelming excitement about playing for his hometown team. To many fans, these stories matter just as much as 40-yard dash times or bench press reps. They represent the kind of culture Campbell and Holmes are building — one rooted in grit, unity, and shared purpose.
Even players on the current roster have weighed in, with several tweeting their support for the new additions. Veterans have welcomed rookies publicly and expressed confidence in the team’s direction, reinforcing the belief among fans that the locker room believes in what’s being built. This unity between players and fans — often rare in the modern NFL landscape — is something Detroit has cultivated with care, and it has become a major point of pride for the city. It’s part of why fans took the “F” grade personally. They see the team not just as an organization but as a symbol of resilience, growth, and hope.
Detroit’s sports culture has long been defined by its blue-collar roots, and the Lions have increasingly mirrored that identity. This year’s draft, while maligned by outsiders, aligns almost perfectly with that ethos. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was workmanlike. It wasn’t designed for headlines, but for wins. Fans believe this deeply — that while draft grades win news cycles, smart roster building wins games in December and January. The disconnect, they argue, is that national media often fails to consider context: coaching schemes, team chemistry, locker room leadership, and positional depth charts are rarely part of these evaluations. By grading based purely on hype or positional value consensus, critics miss the bigger picture — something Detroit fans feel especially attuned to after years of watching their team being misunderstood by national outlets.
This isn’t the first time Detroit fans have had to push back against a media narrative. For decades, the Lions have been seen as a laughingstock in NFL circles, and their recent resurgence has been met with a mix of praise and skepticism. That history fuels the passionate defense of this draft. To fans, it’s not just about these rookies — it’s about everything they represent. Belief in the long-term plan. Loyalty to a coaching staff that has turned the team around. Pride in a front office that has stuck to its vision. And a refusal to let outsiders once again define the narrative around Detroit football.
Some media voices have acknowledged the backlash and engaged with fans’ arguments. A few analysts have admitted that the Lions’ recent draft record does give them some benefit of the doubt and that time, not hot takes, will ultimately judge the 2025 class. Others, however, have doubled down on their poor grades, citing concerns about positional value, age, or injury history. For fans, it’s all part of the cycle — but they are confident that the true grade of this class will be written on the field, not on a spreadsheet.
In a few months, the rookies will take the field for training camp. Some may struggle, others may surprise, and most will need time to develop. But what Detroit fans know — and what they continue to argue forcefully — is that this team is not building for instant gratification. It’s building something sustainable, something authentic, and something deeply tied to the spirit of its city. For them, this draft wasn’t a failure. It was a continuation of a process that has already brought pride back to Detroit football.
And so, the “F” grade doesn’t sting the way it might have a few years ago. Back then, it might have felt like another punch to an already suffering fanbase. Today, it feels like noise. The Lions are no longer chasing approval — they’re chasing championships. And their fans, more than ever, are right behind them.
