We’re getting ever closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, and one of the Detroit Lions’ top needs right now is an interior offensive lineman. This is going to be a really good draft for an offensive lineman who is versatile. Plenty of guys who have played both tackle and guard.
Here’s our favorite lineman for the Lions in every round of this year’s draft:
First round: Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Zabel has been wowing a lot of teams since the Senior Bowl. He had a solid combine too. But when you look at what he was able to do for the Bison during his time there, you see a guy who’s allowed just four sacks in five seasons. The guy can play.
There are options there too. This past season, he played left tackle, but he’s also played left guard a lot and even played a little right guard and right tackle too. In Detroit, he would fit best as a guard.
Second round: Marcus Mbow, Purdue
We’ve moved Mbow to the Lions a couple of times this season. Mbow is someone you’re going to have to hope falls to 60. We currently have his average draft position at 48. He could make it, but we’ll see.
He’s spent he last two seasons at right tackle, but started out as a right guard. That was actually the only season he had at Purdue where he didn’t allow at least one sack.
Third round: Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
Fairchild is our first player on this list who has strictly played just guard. He’s done it pretty well, too. In two seasons as a starter in Georgia, he allowed 14 pressures and just one sack.
He’s a very good pass blocker, but he may need a little development on his run blocking.
Fourth round: Jackson Slater, Sacramento State
I know it’s an FCS school, and that means the competition isn’t as high as FBS, but this guy has allowed a total of 13 pressures nd no sacks in the last two seasons, and that is notable.
He would fit into the left guard spot and allow Mahogany to take the right side, and you’d be pretty set on the interior with two guys you didn’t have to take very high.
Fifth round: Miles Fraizer, LSU
I’ve been a fan of this guy because he’s started at both tackle spots nd both guard spots, and he’s done pretty well at all four of them. The Lions need versatility, and this guy has it. Even if he never starts for Detroit, having someone like this on the bench can be huge.
The thing is that he could start and should start. It just might take him a little time to get used to the NFL.
Sixth round: Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
One of my favorite prospects in the entire draft. The Lions say they don’t care about measurables, well here’s their chance to prove that. Lampkin is a 5-foot-11 guard, but the guy plays like a man who’s 6-foot-4. He is one of those relentless effort guys.
The thing that is most intriguing is that there’s potential for Lampkin on the defensive line, too. There’s also full back and tight end potential there, too. The guy is a jack of all trades.
Seventh round: Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M
Maybe a bit of a project, but there are good bones on this house. Vinson has a lot of athleticism and is someone the Lions can mold into being a future left tackle if they wind up making Giovanni Manu a guard.
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