The Lions had an unfortunately quick exit from the postseason as they fell to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round despite being the NFC’s top seed. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense put up 41 points against the tattered Detroit defense and the Lions ultimately couldn’t put up enough points to beat Washington in a track race.
SB Nation NFL mock draft: Lions bring in a pass-rushing partner in crime for Aidan Hutchinson
It’s a high-potential pick for a Detroit defense that needs a solid pass rusher.
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With that scoreboard likely still ingrained in the minds of the fanbase, it’s hard not to anticipate the Lions attempting to build back their defense better in 2025. But is that the way Pride of Detroit’s Brandon Knapp wants to go? Let’s go ahead and find out!
With the 28th pick in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft, Knapp has decided to select edge rusher Mykel Williams out of the University of Georgia.
28.) Detroit Lions: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Knapp: The biggest issue with the Detroit Lions defense last year was the lack of help alongside defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in the pass rushing game. Obviously things got tougher for the Lions defense when Hutchinson would miss the rest of the season with his injury. The Lions need help badly at EDGE and Williams fits what they want: someone who can rush the passer, but can also stop the running backs when they are given the ball.
Analysis: Williams is an excellent pick here for the Lions at this point in the first round. He has the prototypical size and length that NFL teams covet at the position and did not incur much tread on his tires during his collegiate career thanks to a deep defensive front for the Bulldogs. Williams is a little raw compared to where most first-round picks are at entering the NF,L but the traits and upside are just that apparent. He’s a menace coming off the backside to snuff out runs and he uses his length and sturdy base to set edges and spills runs on the play-side. As a pass rusher, Williams explodes off of the snap and gets into blockers with a jarring impact. With over 30 percent of his career tackles going for a loss, Williams has a knack for creating havoc before offenses have a chance to breathe.
Top five remaining players:
- Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
- Matthew Golden, WR Texas
- Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State
Williams becomes the latest and last edge rusher to come off our board of top remaining players. With just a few more picks left in the first round, there’s still plenty of talent on both sides of the ball waiting to hear their name called. The Commanders — the team that beat the Lions in the playoffs — are up next!
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