Saturday’s Senior Bowl put a bow on the postseason all-star circuit, which makes it a good time to offer up another Detroit Lions draft projection.
As with all mock drafts before the NFL Scouting Combine and pro day tour, these projections are about finding players who appear to fit what the Lions look for in players and where the team might want to fill different holes on the roster. These are scenarios to think about more than predictions, though it wouldn’t surprise me if a couple of these actually happen come April’s draft.
The first mock draft scenario can be found here.
First round: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) sacks Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
If Nolen is still on the board when the Lions pick at No. 28–and that’s a big “if”–he’s a seemingly perfect fit for what Detroit wants in an attack-dog interior defensive lineman. He’s quick, he’s slippery off blocks and he plays every snap like it’s the last one he’ll ever play. Nolen is a souped-up version of what the Lions have wanted from Josh Paschal as a heavy DE, but he’s also more than capable enough of playing full-time inside.
Second round: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 28: Riley Leonard #13 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Ashton Gillotte #9 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Cardinal Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
A personal favorite of mine, Gillotte is a name Lions fans should know. He’s a definite “crush the can” EDGE with outstanding lower-body strength to anchor against the run, but also a bevy of pass-rush moves to get off the block and get to the quarterback. His Louisville game film in 2024 sure looks a lot like what the Lions wanted from Marcus Davenport across from Aidan Hutchinson. Power-to-speed rusher with legit closing speed in the backfield.
Third round: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Jan 29, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team wide receiver Jayden Higgins of Iowa State (9) grabs a pass during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
The Lions have a real need for a wideout with some size who can work the seams and intermediate range, especially with Tim Patrick being a free agent. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Higgins definitely fits that bill with his physicality, length and long-striding speed. His hands are impeccable–4 drops on almost 300 collegiate targets, many of them of the contested catch variety. Also a willing and able blocker, something the Lions use as a screening filter for wideouts.
This is the compensatory pick for the loss of coach Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets. The comp picks aren’t officially awarded until later this offseason. It will be the last selection of the third round, likely No. 101 or 102 overall. The Lions traded their own third-round pick to select Giovanni Manu in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fourth round: Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles of Virginia Tech (16) reacts to a stop during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Resisting the urge to keep from projecting Cal CB Nohl Williams here is tough, but it’s time to change things up. Going with a disruptive interior presence like Peebles, when paired with Nolen in the first round, overhauls the chaotic depth chart at defensive tackle with a big infusion of athleticism and quickness.
With several 2024 Lions hitting free agency along the defensive line, shifting the draft-day double shot from the offensive line last draft (Giovanni Manu, Christian Mahogany) to the defensive side makes sense. Peebles can play anywhere from the 3-tech to 7-tech in whatever defensive front new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard desires to run.
Sixth round: Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, OT, Oregon State
Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan (69) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
One of the standouts at the Shrine Bowl, Christian-Lichtenhan is one of the longest prospects in this draft class. He’s 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds. His style of play is more fitting at guard, but his size says tackle–not unlike Lions extra tackle Dan Skipper. Christian-Lichtenhan stepped up his game after transferring to Oregon State from Colorado, showing a malleability to his style.
The footwork and balance Christian-Lichtenhan shows at his length is something Lions OL coach Hank Fraley can work with as a potential upgrade/replacement for Connor Galvin, Colby Sorsdal and/or Kayode Awosika. The Lions clearly covet length like he’s got, and Christian Lichtenhan’s ability to reset and recover in pass protection offers real promise.
Seventh round (2 picks)
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) controls the ball during the first quarter against Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware
Kiser was kind of the Alex Anzalone of the Notre Dame defense, an athletic and smart backer at the second level who can cover well and doesn’t miss tackles in space. His personality and playing style are very easy to envision working well in Detroit. As last season showed, you can never have enough linebacker depth.
Yarns thrived as a receiver out of the backfield from the get-go in Mobile, and his Blue Hens game tape backs that up. He’s capable of taking a simple swing pass or a screen to the house from long distance–ask Monmouth. Offers very real potential as a return specialist, too. The Lions top four RBs (Gibbs, Montgomery, Reynolds, Vaki) should all return from 2024, but there’s room for a practice squad stash who can situationally contribute as a rookie in case of injury or unexpected need.