The Detroit Lions clearly drafted for need instead of taking the best player available in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, as they chose to address their average defensive tackle room with one of this class' best run-stuffing linemen in Ohio State's Tyleik Williams.
The Lions still have plenty of work to do if they want to leave no doubt of who has the best overall roster in the NFC. Detroit has been a strong drafting team on Day 2 in the Brad Holmes era, and that trend could continue if they manage to land one of the many surprise prospects who slipped out of the first round.
The Lions, through either trading up in the order or by virtue of the football deities blessing them once more, should try to put any one of these five players under a microscope and leap at the chance to select them.
5 falling prospects Lions must add on Day 2 of 2025 NFL Draft
5. Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Even though Umanmielen profiles as a player who is never going to be a run defender worth much of anything in the pros, this whirling dervish with great explosion off the snap could be an ace situational pass rusher.
4. Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
Here's your Kevin Zeitler replacement. Ratledge's game is pure power, as he was liable to flatten even the most virulent of SEC rushers during his college days. Even as a late second-rounder, Ratledge has the potential to start right away and still be effective.
3. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
There's a good chance that Detroit goes all-in on getting Jared Goff even more weapons due to the uncertainty of Jameson Williams' future. While not as fast, Higgins is a gigantic 6-3 target with great hands and more movement skills as a runner than most players his size.
2. Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Green falling out of the first round was a major shock, but there's a chance the same factors that led to him dropping out of Round 1 help him slide a bit in Round 2 as well. If he is anywhere closer to where Detroit picks, a trade up in the order needs to be in the cards.
1. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson is sliding due to medical concerns about his knee. While those are valid, it doesn't take a football genius to see how a 6-2 corner with more touchdowns scored than allowed in college could fit in well on a championship defense that could use one more cornerback.