Detroit Lions get hammered in consensus of experts' 2025 NFL draft grades

The Detroit Lions came away with seven new players during the 2025 NFL draft, but not everyone was a fan of them.

NFL analyst Rene Bugner put together a list of consensus grades for each team in the league following the 2025 NFL draft and the Lions' grade point average (2.33) from that data had them tied for the second-worst class with the Miami Dolphins. The Cincinnati Bengals were the only team with a worse GPA (2.08).

Based on the list of grades, the harshest draft class mark the Lions received came from Fantasy Life's Thor Nystrom, who gave the Lions an "F" grade for their group.

Nystrom was not thrilled with the Lions' decision to skip on an edge rusher in the first round and called the selection of Tyleik Williams "the most shocking pick" of the opening round. Nystrom had no issue with the selection of Georgia guard Tate Ratledge, which addressed a big need for Detroit.

Williams is a wide-bodied, quick-footed interior player who is an awesome run defender. I understand the vision. I did not see the pass-rushing profile I need to see for a first-round prospect at that position.

The next pick of OG Tate Ratledge was contextually defensible from a value perspective because of the draft-long aggression teams had with the offensive linemen in this class, sucking them up the board. Ratledge also addresses a primary team need with a potential early contributor.

Believe it or not, Nystrom was high on little-known Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa going into the draft, but he believes that the Lions took him one round too early. And, Nystrom adds that the only Day 3 pick he agreed with was Georgia receiver, Dominic Lovett, who the Lions took in the seventh round.

All spring long, I pounded the table for WR Isaac TeSlaa as a sleeper in a down receiver class. He opened my eyes at the Senior Bowl with his ability to make plays downtown – TeSlaa gets off the carpet and extends to the ball at its highest point. 

Boy did Holmes get aggressive to secure TeSlaa, hopping a full round over where I ranked TeSlaa – and I was one of the highest in the media on him. One of the few receivers in this class with 10-inch hands, TeSlaa additionally did not drop a ball last season. 

It's never surprising to see negative takes on the Lions' draft classes. After all, general manager Brad Holmes marches to the beat of his own drum, and his approach often flies in the face of what experts think.

Only time will tell who was right, but it's hard to doubt Holmes given his impressive history with finding talent in the draft.

MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS

Recent Lions draft pick's chances of starting just took a hit

Za'Darius Smith predicted to ditch Lions reunion for deal with AFC contender

Detroit Lions way-too-early 53-man roster projection following 2025 NFL draft