With the Detroit Lions at 12-1 and focused on a Super Bowl run, the 2025 draft isn’t a top priority for most fans. However, with the college football regular season over, mock drafts are becoming more common, and the Lions have a few key needs to address for the future.
If we look at the team’s needs heading into the offseason, the defensive line, especially for an additional edge rusher, takes precedence, followed by depth in other areas. Taking a closer look, three starters on the Lions’ top-ranked offensive line are over 30, and another will be 29 by next season. Maintaining a strong offensive line for the long term is a crucial priority.
ESPN Mock Draft Has Lions Planning for Offensive Line Succession
Heading into Week 15, ESPN’s Field Yates projected the Lions’ first-round pick in the 2025 draft, suggesting they’ll focus on the offensive line by selecting Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson.
“The Lions prioritize tough, selfless players, and Jackson fits that profile,” Yates writes. “He’s one of the top guards in college football, but he was moved to left tackle this season to replace Josh Simmons after Simmons tore his ACL. Jackson’s willingness to switch positions speaks volumes about his draft potential and would strengthen Detroit’s interior offensive line as they plan for the future. The Lions’ current starting guards are 32 (Graham Glasgow) and 34 (Kevin Zeitler).”
As Yates notes, Jackson shifted to left tackle after Simmons’ injury. This flexibility has boosted his draft stock. He started at left guard for two full seasons (2022 and 2023), with Pro Football Focus ranking him as one of the top-30 guards in 2022. He also played right guard as a freshman in 2021.
Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report offers a mixed evaluation of Jackson. “While Jackson hasn’t quite lived up to the hype as the best guard in the nation coming out of high school, largely due to inconsistent footwork and a robotic style, he has the necessary size, strength, and movement skills to compete for a starting role as a rookie if he improves his fundamentals.”
The Lions also have potential future starters on the offensive line in 2024 draft picks Christian Mahogany and Giovanni Manu. Mahogany, a guard, has had setbacks in his rookie season, while Manu, a versatile prospect who could play guard or tackle, is currently redshirting. Both are uncertain at this point.
While Zeitler is likely to be re-signed by the Lions, his age (35 by the start of free agency) could mean he lands one last lucrative contract elsewhere. Regardless of Zeitler’s future, Jackson (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) could emerge as a key part of the Lions’ offensive line for years to come.