Mock drafts are in full swing now that that the Ohio State Buckeyes have claimed the National Championship. Unfortunately for Lions fans, mock drafts will be more of a focus after their Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders ended their season perhaps prematurely.
2025 is a chance to rebound from that loss, starting with building back up during the offseason, including finding a potential key early contributor with the 28th pick. One area the Lions certainly could use help with is at edge-rusher. After losing Aidan Hutchinson, the depth of the position was really tested and the signing of Za’Darius Smith proved not very fruitful.
The latest mock draft by Curt Popejoy over at Draft Wire looks to fix that as the Lions get some help opposite Hutchinson. With the 28th pick, the Lions select James Pearce, Edge, Tennessee.
Pearce may not have been the dominant force he was in 2023 and near the top of the draft board as he tended to be at the beginning of this draft cycle, but he still has a motor that can complement Hutchinson well. Pearce still recorded 7.5 sacks in 2024 following a 9.5-sack season in 2023.
Despite only playing five games, Hutchinson led the Lions with 7.5 sacks. Smith was actually second with four sacks in eight games. The Lions had 37 sacks as a team in 2024, tied for 25th in the league. They did not get a single sack on Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the Divisional, further signaling the need for pass rush.
In the second round, at pick 60, the Lions go with Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter. The Cyclones’ defensive back had his first three career interceptions last season to go along with a pair of passes defended. He had a pair of interceptions in their rivalry game against Iowa.
