The 2025 NFL Combine is in the books and we learned a lot about what the Lions are looking for and who they’re talking to. The Lions had 31 confirmed formal meetings at the combine with players from all kinds of different positions. We also know that Lions GM Brad Holmes told us straight out that the Lions are not a needs-based drafting team.

With all that in mind and after everything we learned in Indianapolis, here is our 7-round post combined mock draft for the Lions:

28th pick: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) reacts against the LSU Tigers during the fourth quarter. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field.
© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Keep Watching
4
3 Players That The Lions SHOULD Sign Before Training Camp…3 Players That The Lions SHOULD Sign Before Training Camp…
Read More
This is a pick that makes so much sense for the Lions for many reasons. The first is that they need a pass rusher obviously. The second is that Scourton is just 20-years-old. Here’s a guy that can grow with the Lions and be here for the super long term. The third is that the Lions had a formal meeting with him at the combine. There’s just a lot here that says Scourton could be the Lions pick at 28.

60th pick: Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr, LB, Ole Miss
Nov 9, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (11) reactions at the end of the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

We wrote a story last week about how we believe this is the most likely player the Lions will draft in 2025. He fits every single thing the Lions are looking for. Plays violent, fits the culture and even has a lion tattoo on his arm.

The Lions linebacker group is pretty good right now, but we know Anzalone only has one year left on his deal, Derrick Barnes could move on, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin has already been let go. Linebacker is going to be a need.

Trade
Oct 8, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes watches warm-ups from the sidelines before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field.
Can Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions are trading up in the third round to grab another player that they met with at the combine and one that could be a big part of the team’s future. Here’s the trade they worked out with the Steelers:

Lions received: 85th pick
Steelers get: Hendon Hooker and a 2026 fourth-round pick

There you go. The Lions get a high third rounder and the Steelers get a quarterback that will fit well with them and one that could see some playing time in Pittsburgh long before he will see any in Detroit. While Lions fans thought very highly of Hooker, we had to attach a pick to him to get him in Pittsburgh.