The Night and Day Difference Between Draft Classes
Look, we need to have an honest conversation about something. Every time the Lions draft class conversation comes up, fans lump the 2024 and 2025 picks together like they’re all cut from the same cloth. That’s doing a massive disservice to what Brad Holmes pulled off in his 2025 draft haul.
The Lions got multiple long-term starters and legitimate breakout potential from the 2025 class. Meanwhile, the 2024 group is still trying to prove they belong on an NFL roster. These are not the same thing.
Tyleik Williams Is Already What We Hoped For
Williams didn’t light the world on fire as a rookie, but he had a genuinely good first season. The kid can stuff runs, eat space, and has legitimate pass-rushing juice brewing underneath. He’s locked in as a key starter on the interior of the Lions defensive line in 2026.
This is what a solid defensive tackle pick looks like. Not a home run swing that whiffs completely, but a steady contributor who gives you exactly what you drafted him to do.
Tate Ratledge Has Already Proven He Belongs
Ratledge stepped in and showed he’s a legitimate NFL right guard from day one. Yeah, he had some rookie bumps along the way, but every first-year lineman does. The foundation is rock solid, and this is a guy who could end up in Pro Bowl conversations down the line.
Finding a starting-caliber guard in the draft is not easy. Finding one who looks this comfortable this early? That’s good drafting.
Isaac TeSlaa’s Role Is About to Expand
The Lions traded up for TeSlaa and then barely used him as a rookie. That’s about to change in 2026. He’s never going to be a 1,000-yard receiver in this offense, but he can absolutely be a 500-600 yard guy who fills that Josh Reynolds role they’ve been trying to replace.
Big plays and red zone targets. That’s his wheelhouse, and the Lions desperately need someone who can do both reliably.
Miles Frazier Could Be Starting Soon
There’s a real chance Frazier ends up as the Lions starting left guard in 2026. Even if he doesn’t win that job outright, having a versatile backup who can play both guard spots and both tackle positions is invaluable depth for any offensive line.
Versatility matters, especially when injuries start piling up during the season.
Ahmed Hassanein Might Fill a Long-Standing Need
This is the defensive lineman nobody talks about enough. The Lions might finally have found their Marcus Davenport replacement, that big end role they’ve been trying to fill since 2021. Hassanein has serious pass-rush potential and can set the edge in run defense.
Classic Lions development timeline says year three is when these guys break out. But there’s no reason he can’t contribute significantly in 2026.
The Jury Is Still Out on the Late Picks
Dan Jackson missed his entire rookie season, which puts him way behind the development curve. The Lions have plenty of bodies ahead of him, so his path to meaningful playing time is murky. Special teams contributor seems like the ceiling right now.
Dominic Lovett faces an uphill battle with the addition of Kendrick Law and the signing of Greg Dortch. Training camp and preseason will tell the story, but the roster math isn’t working in his favor.
When you break it down position by position, this 2025 draft class already has multiple guys who look like legitimate NFL starters. That’s not something you can say about every Lions draft class we’ve watched over the years. Brad Holmes hit on the picks that mattered most, and the depth guys still have upside to develop.
Is this the draft class that finally breaks the Lions curse of whiffing on key picks, or are we just setting ourselves up for more heartbreak? Drop your take below.
