Why did Lions pass on edge rusher in Round 1? Detroit fails to address huge need

The Detroit Lions entered the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night in desperate need of edge rush help. However, when the team was on the clock at No. 28 overall, the team opted to take a player at a different position.

That player was Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, who was someone we definitely saw mocked to the Lions during the pre-draft process. The Lions did have a need at the position, seeing as how Alim McNeill is uncertain to be ready when next season rolls around and DJ Reader is on the final year of his contract. But that need paled in comparison to edge rusher, where the Lions don't have a sure starter opposite Aidan Hutchinson after cutting Za'Darius Smith.

Detroit lacks sufficient depth at the position, also. Why did Lions pass on edge rusher? The Lions did have a few options at edge rusher with their No. 28 overall pick, with Marshall's Mike Green and Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku being at the top of the list of available edge defenders.

That said, it's pretty clear the Lions didn't think either was worthy in that spot. We know general manager Brad Holmes doesn't lean into drafting by need, no matter how dire the situation. "I think you can get in trouble chasing needs sometimes, and then you're depending on a rookie," Holmes earlier this month .

"You do the best you can, but nobody has a crystal ball. So, it can be a tough world to live in." "There's just a level of patience you have to (have).

When you start chasing need, it's like that need might make sense for right now at this time," Holmes added. "We make these picks for future investments. We kind of live in a society that everything is, 'Right now! Right now! Right now!'" Barring a trade up or down, the Lions will next be on the clock with the No.

60 overall pick, which falls in Round 2. Perhaps we'll see Detroit get their man then, but the longer they wait, the less of a chance whoever they draft will make the immediate impact Detroit needs. Let's hope Holmes has something bigger up his sleeve.

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