It’s been a bizarre week with regards to defensive backs, the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Detroit Lions.
It began with former Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. As soon as presumed a top-10 choose earlier than a 2024 season didn’t go as deliberate, Johnson held a pre-draft exercise this week, and a few NFL draft specialists weren’t impressed. There are some velocity issues with Johnson, and with a reported 4.33 brief shuttle and a refusal to run the 40-yard sprint, his exercise didn’t put these issues to mattress. That has led some to invest that Johnson could slide down the draft additional than some count on.
Just a few days later, The Athletic Dane Brugler slotted a unique cornerback—Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston—to the Lions at 28 general in his seven-round mock draft. Not many Lions followers had been pleased with that choose, as Detroit already has quite a bit invested on the cornerback place.
Quick ahead to Thursday, and Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes reiterated as soon as once more that the group isn’t interested by drafting particular positions, they’re interested by drafting good soccer gamers.
“Once you begin chasing want, it’s like nicely that want would possibly make sense for proper now presently, however we make these picks for future investments,” Holmes stated this week.
Put all that collectively, and it has some followers questioning: might the Lions draft one other defensive again with the twenty eighth general choose? Erik Schlitt and I mentioned this on the most recent Midweek Mailbag podcast, particularly speaking about whether or not Detroit would have the ability to keep away from the temptation of Will Johnson or Georgia security Malaki Starks in the event that they’re sitting there at 28 general. That dialogue begins on the 39:15 mark within the podcast beneath.
Different subjects this week embrace:
What place teams (outdoors of possibly WR) are the Lions not in a rush to spend some huge cash on?
If the Lions train Jameson Williams’ fifth-year choice, would that wage journey to a different group if he’s traded?
Who’s the very best mixture of GRIT + VILLAIN on this draft for the Lions?
What makes Donovan Ezeiruaku an excellent slot in Detroit?
Might there be a large run on defensive linemen this 12 months? How would that influence the Lions?
Three gamers we DON’T need the Lions to draft at 28
Which is extra seemingly at 28: Tyler Booker or a cornerback?
What’s extra vital for this draft class: amount (for wage cap functions) or high quality?
Does this Lions regime need to win an eventual Tremendous Bowl to be thought-about profitable?
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