The 2025 NFL Draft played out a bit differently than expected.
The team ended up focusing more on future needs than concerns about their current roster.
That approach turned out pretty well for a couple of their players.
Jameson Williams
After a pre-draft visit from Matthew Golden sparked rampant trade speculation about Jameson Williams.
Following the draft, Williams finds himself in a very strong spot. Not only was his fifth-year option picked up before the draft, but the team also didn't add much competition for him.
They did select Isaac TeSlaa in the third round, but he wasn't particularly productive at Arkansas and shouldn't command too many targets early in his career.
That's good news for Williams.
Even with that extra year secured on his rookie deal, Williams has some work to do to secure a big payday with his second contract.
There was a chance a receiver from this draft could get in the way of that.
TeSlaa shouldn't and that will give Williams a better chance at putting together the second 1000-yard season of his career.
Ahmed Hassanein
When a player is selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, they often find themselves fighting just to get any kind of a role with the team.
That's not the case for Ahmed Hassanein. The fact that he was drafted by the Lions means that he could be fighting for a spot in the team's starting lineup before the end of his rookie season.
His competition for the team's second starting edge spot isn't all that impressive. The spot is currently expected to be held by Marcus Davenport, who has a lengthy injury history in the NFL and not all that much production in his past.
Hassanein was very productive over the last two years, posting 12.5 sacks in 2023 and 9.5 in 2024.
If the Lions don't add a veteran before the start of the season, Hassanein could factor into their rotation early in his career.
