3: Detroit Lions looking to roar loud in 2025
The Lions followed a deep run in the playoffs in 2023 with a 15-2 season in 2024. Despite looking like a Super Bowl contender much of the season, the Lions got torched by the Washington Commanders in NFL Divisional Round. Entering the 2025 NFL season, the question is can the defending NFC North champions learn from the loss and come back even stronger as a healthier team with some added talent from the 2025 NFL Draft?
Top Pick: The return of Aidan Hutchinson will help a Lions’ defense that was decimated with injuries throughout the 2024 NFL season. That injury list included Alim McNeil who could miss the start of the season. That’s why the selection of No. 28 overall pick Tyleik Williams was a big late-round round addition for the Lions. The Ohio State product should make an immediate impact with his ability to rush the quarterback. Although Williams didn’t play in the team’s preseason opener vs the Los Angeles Chargers, there is great excitement sounding the team’s top pick.
Surprise Pick: Wide receiver wasn’t a huge need for the Lions with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams leading the way, so the selection of Isaac TeSlaa in the third round was a bit of a surprise that high in the draft with the team still in need of an edge rusher. Don’t be surprised, however, if TeSlaa turns out to be a contributor in 2025. In the preseason game vs. the Chargers, the third-round pick was one of the bright spots with two catches for 46 yards.
Favorite Pick: Second-round pick Tate Ratledge was a great selection for the Lions. A powerful force out of the University of Georgia, Ratledge will bring physicality to the Lions’ offensive line as well as depth at the guard position. He will likely work his way as the starter at right guard for the Lions after the departure of Kevin Zeitler in free agency.
A potential steal of the draft: Sticking with the offensive line, LSU product Miles Frazier will help as an interior lineman once he’s on the field. The big guard suffered a knee injury that will likely keep him out through the first part of his rookie season, but once he gets going, he will prove to be a mid-round gem given his size and physical tenacity he also brings to the line.
4: Minnesota Vikings staking their claim on the NFC North
The Vikings rank last as far as 2025 NFL Draft classes classes within the division because they had so few. They did take care of areas of need with the picks they did make, but it looks like the Vikings will hope the 2024 NFL Draft class take a big step in Year 2, mainly quarterback J.J. McCarthy who missed his entire rookie season due to injury. Did the Vikings do enough in the draft to build a stronger team around the second-year quarterback?
Top Pick: The Vikings took care of a big need along the offensive line with the selection of Donovan Jackson. The team added veteran Ryan Kelly at center and guard Will Fries to help stabilize a line that struggled, especially in the wild-card loss to the Rams. Jackson is a force who will not only help protect projected first-year starter McCarthy, but help the team be more effective in the run game.
Surprise Pick: Third-round pick Tai Felton will give the Vikings yet another quality receiver behind Justin Jefferson. The team only had five draft picks, so they really need to hit on who they selected. As a solid route runner, Felton should be another target for McCarthy. The surprise here is he may have been taken higher than projected. But with the team having no fourth-round picks, they took the player they liked sooner rather than him not being around later in the draft.
Favorite Pick: Again, not many picks to choose from, but going back to Jackson who also played left tackle in place of Josh Simmon at Ohio State. The versatility and his ability to hold his own no matter where he positioned gives the Vikings an athletic lineman they will be able to depend on as a protector.
More on the 2025 NFL Draft:
A potential steal of the draft: Tight end Gavin Bartholomew is a name to watch here as a solid No. 3 tight end. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are the playmakers, but as a blocking tight end, Bartholomew is a player who can come in and help protect as a blocker, he also has the hands to catch a few passes.