NFL teams are just about ready to head to training camp to prepare for the 2024 season. That means it’s another good time to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s what Curt Popejoy of Draft Wire recently did, putting together a mock draft ahead of training camp. In this case, the Lions address the interior defensive line and stay in-state by selecting Michigan’s Kenneth Grant.
The six-foot-three, 339-pound junior was named Second Team All-Big Ten by coaches and Third Team by the media in 2023 following a sophomore season in which he appeared in all 15 games for the national champions with five starts. Grant recorded 29 tackles, five tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in 2023. He also added five pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Back in June, Popejoy ranked his top five interior defensive tackles and Grant came in at No. 3, behind Deone Walker of Kentucky at No. 1 and fellow Wolverine Mason Graham at No. 2.
The Lions will have some decisions to make on the interior next offseason as John Cominsky, Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill are all set to become free agents in 2025. The Lions drafted LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo in the sixth round back in April.
As far as the rest of the NFC North goes, the Minnesota Vikings selected Michigan cornerback Will Johnson at No. 10, the Chicago Bears took Texas A&M Edge Nic Scourton at No. 19 and the Green Bay Packers, at No. 22, went with Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.