10 prospects we're watching for Lions on Day 2 of NFL Draft
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions reinforced an already-strong aspect of their team in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. General manager Brad Holmes compared the run-stuffing defender to Alim McNeill, who has grown into a star with the Lions and recently became one of the league's highest-paid linemen.
Holmes stuck at pick No. 28 to draft Williams, opting not to trade down despite there being an "enticing" offer to do so. Holmes' lack of movement on the draft's first day, however, doesn't mean he won't maneuver around the board on Day 2; the Lions currently hold picks Nos. 60 and 102, but Holmes said Thursday evening he's "already got some ideas brewing" for who he wants to target.
With the Lions liable to trade up or down, here are 10 prospects on Day 2 we've got our eyes on (listed alphabetically):
▶ Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College
Ezeiruaku (6-foot-2½, 248 pounds) was projected by most to be a first-round pick, with some mock drafters even having the Boston College standout pegged as Detroit's selection at No. 28. Ezeiruaku is a bit leaner than the edge rushers the Lions are typically into — defensive end Marcus Davenport, at 6-6 and 285 pounds, is the prime example of what they're looking for — but his 60 pressures and 16½ sacks in 2024 make him a prospect to consider.
▶ Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
The Lions don't have much of an immediate need at receiver, especially after Holmes squashed any lingering rumors of a trade involving Jameson Williams. But they could use a big-bodied option to develop behind Tim Patrick. Harris (6-2, 205 pounds) has been uber productive for the last three seasons (2,950 yards and 25 touchdowns on 179 catches since 2022), and he fits the billing of a pass-catching threat on the outside.
▶ Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Similar to Harris, Higgins (6-4, 214 pounds) would give the Lions a young X receiver to develop. Remember: Head coach Dan Campbell said in March the Lions wanted to add youth at the position. Higgins, who notched 2,166 receiving yards from 2023-24, began his collegiate career with two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, an FCS program. Higgins is tough, good after the catch and tested well at the combine.
▶ Landon Jackson, edge, Arkansas
Here's a guy who plays with some of the strength the Lions usually look for at the edge spot opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Jackson (6-6, 264 pounds) has been consistent in his tenure with the Razorbacks, posting 6½ sacks in each of the last two seasons. Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart, drafted Thursday by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 17th pick, deservedly drew significant buzz for his efforts at the combine, but Jackson was impressive in his own right; Stewart and Jackson, both weighing over 260 pounds, each registered a vertical leap of at least 40 inches.
▶ Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
There are injury concerns with Johnson (6-2, 194 pounds) — there's a reason he fell out of the first round despite some projections having him flirt with the top 10 — but Holmes has never been afraid of gambling on a player with these types of issues. Johnson, who missed the back half of his final season with the Wolverines while dealing with turf toe and was held out of Michigan's pro day because of a hamstring injury, was one of college football's best cornerbacks when healthy.
More: Michigan cornerback Will Johnson goes undrafted during first round
▶ Oluwafemi Oladejo, edge, UCLA
Oladejo (6-3, 259 pounds) only recently shifted to edge rusher (he was previously a linebacker), but he showed a real knack for playing the position with the Bruins last season. He led UCLA in pressures (33), tackles for loss (14) and sacks (4½), and his 23 run stops were tied for the eighth most among edge defenders who played in a Power Four conference. He sets a fine edge, and he's got some pass-rushing chops.
▶ Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
The Lions were pleased with what sixth-round rookie Christian Mahogany showed in his two starts last season, but they're not prepared to pencil the rising second-year pro as a starter just yet. They'd like to add competition, and Ratledge (6-6½, 308 pounds) is a prime candidate. He tested well at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.97 seconds (third among interior O-linemen) and logging a broad jump of 9 feet, 5 inches (first).
▶ Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Savaiinaea (6-4, 324 pounds) was one of the interior offensive linemen to post a faster result in the 40-yard dash than Ratledge, as he turned in a time of 4.95 seconds. Savaiinaea has plenty of experience at multiple positions — at Arizona, he received 16 starts at right tackle, 15 at right guard and five at left tackle — though he projects primarily as a guard at the next level.
▶ Jack Sawyer, edge, Ohio State
How about doubling down on the Buckeyes? Sawyer (6-4, 260 pounds) was one of the most important pieces during Ohio State's run to the national championship, and he seems to have the intangibles — a team captain, Sawyer's leadership sticks out — Holmes and Campbell hunt for. The fact he collected 64 pressures in 2024 (and had the game-clinching play in the national semifinal) is all the more reason to be interested.
▶ Nic Scourton, edge, Texas A&M
Scourton (6-3, 257) led the Big Ten with 10 sacks at Purdue in 2023, and he parlayed his success with the Boilermakers into an SEC opportunity. He didn't get to the quarterback as much in 2024, finishing with a team-high five sacks. But his pressures per game (3.8 in 2023 and 3.0 in 2024) stayed relatively consistent. One of Scourton's best games last season came against LSU in October, when he had six pressures and a half-sack going up against the duo of left tackle Will Campbell, who went No. 4 overall to the New England Patriots, and projected mid-rounder Emory Jones Jr.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: 10 prospects we're watching for Lions on Day 2 of NFL Draft
