The Detroit Lions entered last season as favorites to win the NFC, but their run came up short in a crushing loss to the Washington Commanders during the conference championship.

NLooking ahead to 2025, the good news is they return nearly their entire roster. That means Detroit is only a few key additions away from finally breaking through and playing in the biggest game of the NFL season.

The Lions have their core set at quarterback, the skill positions, and across most of their defense. However, there are still some clear areas of concern, specifically at edge rusher, linebacker, and along the interior of the offensive line.

With that in mind, here are three prospects who could be ideal fits for Detroit at pick No. 28 in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Edge rusher stands out as Detroit’s most pressing need. Aidan Hutchinson leads the group, but he’s coming back from injury, and the team lacks another top-tier pass rusher on the opposite side.

Enter James Pearce Jr., an explosive and freakishly athletic pass rusher once considered a potential No. 1 pick. At Tennessee, he racked up 19.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss in his career.

Interior offensive line is another spot where the Lions could improve, and Donovan Jackson from Ohio State might be the best guard in this class.

Jackson was a standout for the Buckeyes and helped anchor a dominant offensive line alongside Josh Simmons, even leading the unit to a national championship. His tough, physical style would mesh perfectly with Detroit’s identity.

If the Lions want to double up on edge rushers, Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M offers elite athleticism at the position and could be a high-upside pick.

Though Stewart finished with only 4.5 sacks in three seasons, he created 61 pressures and flashed disruptive traits. He’s a bit raw, but with the right development, he has the potential to be a force in the NFL.