The 2025 NFL Combine has begun, and the Detroit Lions are present, seeking to discover their future players. Much has been discussed regarding what the Lions might seek in the draft, and a pass rusher is certainly high on that list.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper considered this when he released his pre-combine mock draft on Tuesday morning. In the simulation, he has the Lions selecting UCLA outside linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo. Here’s his rationale for the selection:
“On one side, Detroit encountered misfortune in 2024 with an unimaginable number of injuries affecting its defense, seemingly sealing the fate of the otherwise exceptional team.” Conversely, the Lions never quite established a distinct No. 2 pass rusher alongside Aidan Hutchinson (who also missed some time due to a leg injury). Za’Darius Smith recorded four sacks in eight games following a midseason trade to Detroit, while no other edge rusher exceeded three sacks. The remainder of this roster is too talented to overlook, and GM Brad Holmes ought to seek solutions in both free agency and the draft.
Oladejo has consistently progressed in this class, advancing from Round 3 to the Round 2 discussion following a strong Senior Bowl week. The leap to Round 1 is somewhat speculative, yet Oladejo is generating excitement at the moment — I believe he might fit into this range following the combine. He ought to perform well given his speed and energy. “Although he recorded only 4.5 sacks in 2024, his film is impressive.”
Although Kiper is correct about Oladejo’s draft ascent, 28 still seems somewhat excessive for him. His average draft position is currently set at 79.00. That places him in the center of the third round. If the Lions selected him at 60, that would seem more fitting. However, moving from 28 to 79 is quite a significant leap, and he would need to perform exceptionally well at the combine and pro day to rise that high on the board.
At this stage of the process, the frontrunners to monitor appear to be Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielan, or Marshall’s Mike Green. That is, provided