Detroit, MI
Mock Draft Roundup: Lions Beef Up Trenches
Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft has finally arrived.
In recent mock drafts, the Lions have strengthened their defensive and offensive lines, plus have upgraded the cornerback position at No. 28 overall.
With that said, let’s look at who the draft analysts have Detroit selecting in this draft season’s final mock draft roundup.
EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
Green is presently being mocked by the following:
NFL.com (Lance Zierlein)
Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Harmon is currently being drafted by the following:
The Draft Network (Jaime Eisner)
Defensive lineman Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Nolen is presently being selected by the following:
The Draft Network (Mason Johnstone)
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka is presently being drafted by the following:
Pro Football Network (Jacob Infante)
As Infante writes, “Rumors have swirled that the Detroit Lions could look to trade star receiver Jameson Williams, rather than pay him a contract extension. Should they do that, they’d need to add another weapon to pair up with Amon-Ra St. Brown in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
One could argue that Emeka Egbuka is the most well-rounded wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft. He has a nice frame with good hands, a high route-running IQ, solid athleticism, and the ability to work himself open, both as a ball-carrier and as a route-runner.”
EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia
Walker is presently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Focus (analysts; trade-up with the L.A. Chargers to No. 22 overall)
As PFF pens, “Walker — a pass rusher with elite potential who can also play off the ball and, by all accounts, is of extremely high character — is an obvious Lions target. He recorded a 17.2% pass-rush win rate at Georgia last year and is expected to be selected much earlier than 22nd overall in the actual 2025 NFL Draft.”
Defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Williams is currently being projected by the following:
Pro Football Focus (Trevor Sikkema)
Cornerback Will Johnson, Michigan
Johnson is presently being mocked by the following:
ESPN (Peter Schrager)
As Schrager opines, “Johnson’s stock has slipped a bit. He had a foot injury last season and was inconsistent for the Wolverines. He also sat out Michigan’s pro day because of a hamstring injury.
He’s a top-level talent, though, and he’d be the perfect corner to complement Terrion Arnold.”
Cornerback Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Hairston is presently being selected by the following:
The Draft Network (Justin Melo), FOX Sports (Geoff Schwartz), The Athletic (Dane Brugler)
Wide receiver Matthew Golden, Texas
Golden is currently being projected by the following:
The Draft Network (Daniel Harms)
Wide receiver Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden is presently being mocked by the following:
The Draft Network (Ryan Fowler)
EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Stewart is currently being picked by the following:
Yahoo! Sports (Charles McDonald), CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson), The Draft Network (Keith Sanchez), Pro Football Network (Mark Stolte), Detroit Free Press (Rainer Sabin)
As Stolte expresses, “This could end up being one of those picks where everyone looks back and clowns the rest of the league for allowing the Detroit Lions to get him. Shemar Stewart is an absolute specimen of an athlete at 6’5″ and 280 pounds (playing weight). He is perhaps the most athletic person to play the position: 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 10’11” broad jump, and a 40-inch vertical.
The one thing he lacks is college production. While some of that could be the scheme and role he played with the Texas A&M Aggies, playing opposite Aidan Hutchinson with Alim McNeil and DJ Reader on the interior is about as perfect an opportunity as you’re going to get. He would be almost guaranteed 1-on-1 situations where he would get to really show off that elite athleticism.
This is practically like the Lions getting both Travon Walker and Hutchinson.”
EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
Williams is presently being mocked by the following:
NFL.com (Eric Edholm), The Athletic (Colton Pouncy; trade-up with Seattle Seahawks to No. 18 overall)
As Pouncy pens, “For a GM who’s all about drafting the right player, not position, this checks out. If you love a guy, don’t hesitate to get him — especially when you have one of the NFL’s most complete rosters.
So, then, does Williams fit the description? In this mock, he does.
Historically, Williams is almost everything the Lions like from their edge rushers. He’s got ideal size at 6-foot-5, 261 pounds, has 34 3/8 anoconda arms, can defend the run and maintains discipline, plays with power and a motor and is viewed as a high-character individual. Here’s what Georgia coach Kirby Smart had to say of Williams, per The Beast: ‘He’s very versatile for us in terms of on the field, but there is no greater value than what he does in the locker room. … (He’s a) great leader for us).’”
EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Ezeiruaku is currently being drafted by the following:
The 33rd Team (Kyle Crabbs), CBS Sports (Pete Prisco), Detroit Free Press (Dave Birkett)
Offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Jackson is currently being mocked by the following:
NFL.com (Bucky Brooks), NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah)
EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Pearce is presently being drafted by the following:
The 33rd Team (Ian Valentino), Pro Football Network (Brentley Weissman)
As Weissman writes, “James Pearce Jr. is one of the most underrated edge rushers in this class with exceptional speed, bend, and body control. He’s one of my top players in this class who falls a bit in the mock draft.
Pearce’s ability to effortlessly navigate around offensive tackles would perfectly complement Aidan Hutchinson’s skills, creating a formidable pass-rushing duo for the Detroit Lions and establishing them as a dominant force.”
Offensive guard Tyler Booker, Alabama
Booker is currently being drafted by the following:
NFL.com (Charles Davis), NFL.com (Chad Reuter), Tankathon
As Reuter pens, “Booker’s powerful presence would help fill the huge hole left by Kevin Zeitler on the Lions’ offensive line. Though he played primarily on the left side, Booker logged time at left and right guard at Alabama, and veteran Graham Glasgow has started on both sides, setting the team up to find a combination that maintains the strength of Detroit’s top unit.”
EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Scourton is presently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Network (Ryan Gosling)
As Gosling writes, “Nic Scourton might be the most aesthetically pleasing pass rusher in the class. He’s wise beyond his years regarding his arsenal of rush moves, and his well-developed frame is NFL-ready despite only being 20 years old. Unfortunately, gaining unnecessary weight for the 2024 season likely hurt his NFL Draft stock.”
Offensive lineman Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Zabel is currently being projected by the following:
ESPN (Jordan Reid), DetroitLions.com (Tim Twentyman), CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)
As Twentyman writes, “Zabel showed at the Senior Bowl he can handle the step up in competition. He started at four different spots along the offensive line in college and when he moved to center at the Senior Bowl he was probably the most consistent of the bunch. The Lions love that kind of versatility upfront.
Zabel could compete for a starting spot at guard right away and could be a plug-and-play piece at a number of different spots, if needed. Zabel’s skillset, versatility and play style fits perfectly in Detroit.”
Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions running backs open up about life on and off the field
Detroit, MI
Detroit Fire Department brings Christmas joy to family who lost everything in house fire
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Christmas came early for a Detroit family of 10 after the Detroit Fire Department surprised them with a truck full of gifts, nearly a year after they lost their home and all belongings in a devastating fire.
On Jan. 6, Raychelle Womack and her family were living in their home on Santa Rosa Drive near Fullerton Street when it caught fire. All their possessions were destroyed in the blaze.
Watch Demetrios Sanders’ video report below:
Family’s Christmas saved after fire
“You try buying everything for a new baby and then you lose it all, on top of the other seven kids that you’ve got — that’s everything,” Womack said.
As the family continued recovering from the fire, questions remained about what Christmas could look like this year.
“Whatever we could make happen, that’s what we’re going to make happen,” Womack said.
WXYZ
That worry disappeared when the Detroit Fire Department and community partners visited the family’s new east side home with a truck full of Christmas gifts.
“To lose everything and then slowly but surely gain everything, it means a lot,” Womack said.
This marks the fourth year the Detroit Fire Department has brought Christmas cheer to families in need during the holidays.
WXYZ
“We know people lose everything in these fires, so if we can do anything to make their lives better, to make their lives easier, especially around the holiday season, we’re willing to do it,” said Chuck Simms, executive fire commissioner with the Detroit Fire Department.
Simms said the effort is driven by donations and brings joy not only to the families impacted but also to the first responders who participate.
“It’s just a great thing and nice thing for us to do,” Simms said.
WXYZ
With a Christmas tree now surrounded by gifts, Womack’s children are definitely looking forward to Christmas.
“It was nice and we appreciate it,” one child said.
WXYZ
For Womack, only one challenge remains.
“Now it’s making sure everything (gifts) stays closed until Christmas,” Womack said.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Detroit, MI
Near 500 saves, Kenley Jansen joins Detroit Tigers without closer role
Detroit Tigers sign Kyle Finnegan, Kenley Jansen in MLB free agency
The Detroit Tigers signed relievers Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen to upgrade their bullpen. Evan Petzold and Chris Brown evaluate on “Days of Roar.”
Kenley Jansen is destined for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The 38-year-old right-handed reliever is fourth on the all-time saves list, first on the active saves leaderboard, 24 saves away from the 500 milestone and just signed a one-year contract that guarantees $11 million.
But he hasn’t received the closer role from the Detroit Tigers for the 2026 season.
“Will we label Kenley the closer?” Tigers president baseball operations Scott Harris said Wednesday, Dec. 17, deferring to manager A.J. Hinch. “I don’t know. That’s going to be for A.J. to figure out. I’m just going to try to give him as many options as possible.”
Entering 2026, Jansen – a four-time All-Star in his 16-year MLB career – trails only three relievers on the saves list, all three of which are Hall of Famers: Lee Smith (478), Trevor Hoffman (601) and Mariano Rivera (652).
Before signing Jansen, the Tigers connected him with Hinch for an important phone call. For context, Hinch hasn’t named a full-time closer since left-hander Gregory Soto in 2021-22, instead favoring a bullpen that operates without defined roles.
Early signs suggest Jansen has already embraced the Tigers’ approach.
“From that conversation, we learned Kenley is all about winning,” Harris said of Jansen, who won the 2020 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “He’s willing to pitch in any spot. He just wants to be in a winning environment. And he was really attracted to Detroit as a destination, which is a huge step forward for this organization.”
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With three more saves, Jansen will move into sole possession of third place.
He has secured at least four saves in each of his 16 seasons, along with 25 or more saves in each of the past 13 full seasons, not counting the coronavirus pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
“We liked a lot of things,” Harris said. “First of all, he’s one of the best to ever do it. I’ve admired him from afar – and up close for a few years. He brings a ton of success in the highest-leverage moments of games in the regular season and postseason.”
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In 2025, Jansen registered a 2.59 ERA with 19 walks and 57 strikeouts across 59 innings in 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels, racking up 29 saves in 30 opportunities.
His 8.1% walk rate ranked in the 46th percentile, while his 24.4% strikeout rate ranked in the 63rd percentile.
Many indicators foreshadow regression coming soon – most notably the lowest strikeout rate of his career, driven by his third-worst in-zone whiff rate and worst out-of-zone whiff rate over the past four seasons – but the Tigers believe in their future Hall of Fame reliever.
“The cutter still really plays,” Harris said. “He also has a two-seamer that misses bats, as well as a curveball. We think he’s going to miss plenty of bats for us. We think there are some things that we can do with sequencing and refining some of the shapes of his mix.”
The Tigers have pursued Jansen several times.
There was interest during the 2024-25 offseason, when he ultimately signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Angels, then at the 2025 trade deadline, when the Angels opted not to move him, and once again in the 2025-26 offseason, when the Tigers finally signed him to a one-year, $9 million contract, which includes a $12 million club option for 2027 (with a $2 million buyout).
“I’ve admired him from afar and up close,” Harris said.
With Jansen, the Tigers now feel confident using four relievers in save situations. The other three: right-hander Kyle Finnegan, right-hander Will Vest and left-hander Tyler Holton.
Of those four relievers, three of them produced more than 20 saves during the 2025 season, led by Jansen’s 29 and followed by Finnegan’s 24 and Vest’s 23.
“I think it was really important for us to add to the bullpen and be able to protect the leads that we know we’re going to get,” said Harris, who re-signed Finnegan on a two-year, $19 million contract earlier this month. “Whether we can find other opportunities to make our bullpen better, I’m not quite sure yet, but I like the bullpen as it is right now.”
For Jansen, his sights are set on reaching 500 saves.
It’s likely to happen in 2026.
But Jansen isn’t the Tigers’ closer.
Not yet.
“It’s going to be A.J.’s call on that,” Harris said.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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