The Detroit Lions have drastically improved their roster since head coach Dan Campbell took over back in 2021.

With the floor raised, several members of the training camp roster have made it quite difficult for the coaching staff to decide their upcoming future.

Detroit’s battle at wide receiver and along the defensive line was quite competitive all throughout training camp.

Campbell expressed prior to the preseason finale against the Texans that the joint practice aided the team in learning and processing new information from a team that had a much different defensive philosophy.

“It was work that we were looking forward to. That’s a good opponent over there, they’ve got a really talented, young roster,” Campbell said during his pregame interview with Lions flagship radio. “Their scheme is a little different than ours, particularly defensively. It’s a little more penetrating up the field, and if you haven’t seen that in a while, that’s difficult. It’s great for us to get that, Green Bay is a little more like that. It was a really good test for us. I feel like we got better and learned a few things that we didn’t know before.”

Here are several takeaways from the Lions’ preseason finale against the Texans. Detroit ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, losing 26-7.

Kyle Allen gets start

It was pretty safe to assume that barring a drastic setback on Saturday, the veteran signal-caller had won the starting backup quarterback job.

His poise in the pocket and his play during the team’s four preseason games made it an easy decision for the coaching staff.

After the Texans took a 3-0 lead, Allen smoothly led the offense on a 10-play, 85-yard touchdown drive. Allen hit Isaac TeSlaa on his final pass of the game, as he exited after two drives. He finished 5-for-5 for 66 yards and a touchdown, with a 158.3 passer rating.

Hendon Hooker sputters again as Lions drop preseason finale to Texans

Isaac TeSlaa records touchdown in third-straight preseason game

One of the biggest stories that emerged from Detroit’s 2025 training camp was the strong play of its third-round draft pick.

Detroit’s front office and general manager Brad Holmes have credited the tall, sure-handed wideout with displaying his toughness, as well as his play-making abilities, all throughout the preseason.

Against the Texans, TeSlaa recorded a 33-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter. It was his third-straight preseason game with a touchdown reception. It gave Detroit a 7-3 lead heading into the second quarter.

Afterwards, the talented wideout broke out “the worm,” which represented his most expressive celebration after scoring.

Defense gashed in first half

Texans QB Graham Mertz was efficient, firing multiple strikes to Cornell Powell, as well as Xavier Hutchinson and Jayden Higgins. He would connect with former Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Running back Woody Marks also found the end zone, as he scored from nine yards out. Houston had 14 first downs in the first half compared to Detroit’s six, and outgained the Lions, 212 to 110.

Hendon Hooker does not spark offense in any meaningful way

Unfortunately, it appears the former third-round pick’s fate has been sealed in Motown.

All throughout the preseason, Hooker was unable to lead many meaningful drives. When he did make a play, it was often followed by a penalty or error that ended up negating a positive gain.

After the Lions recorded an interception, Hooker immediately turned the football over, tossing an interception to Texans cornerback Jalen Mills.

Photo gallery from the Lions’ 26-7 loss to Texans in preseason finale

Notes

1. Linebacker Grant Stuard started the game with a 44-yard return for the Lions.

2. Detroit’s starting defense included ends Al-Quadin Muhammad and Pat O’Connor, tackles Chris Smith and Myles Adams, linebackers Trevor Nowaske, Zach Cunningham and Stuard, cornerbacks Nick Whiteside and Allan George and safeties Rock Ya-Sin and Erick Hallett.

3. Detroit’s starting offensive line included Giovanni Manu at left tackle, Netane Muti at left guard, Kingsley Eguakun at center, Kayode Awosika at right guard and Dan Skipper at right tackle.

4. The Lions donned a uniform that featured all-white pants and a blue top. It had mixed reviews online, with some supporters hoping they do not ever again see that particular jersey combination.

5. The reported attendance at Ford Field was 49,017 on Saturday afternoon.

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The Detroit Lions have been quite active throughout the duration of the 2025 NFL Draft, having pulled off three trades.

Finally, the team addressed the defensive end position. In the sixth round, Detroit targeted Boise State edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein.

Last season at Boise State, Hassanein recorded 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in helping the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff.

According to NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler, “Overall, Hassanein is a try-hard edge rusher with plenty of redeeming qualities that will endear him to coaches. He lacks high-level athletic traits, though, and will be low on an NFL depth chart until he improves his predictability as a pass rusher. Given his meager football experience, NFL teams are intrigued by his untapped upside.”

In the first-round, the Lions selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams from Ohio State. An anchor for the Buckeyes’ national championship team, he projects as an immediate rotational contributor on the defensive line against the run with pass-rush developmental upside.

Holmes was active in trading up on the second day of the draft. He first traded up three spots with the Denver Broncos to acquire Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge. After Kevin Zeitler’s departure, Ratledge appears to be a potential competitor for a starting spot right away.

In the third round, Holmes traded up 32 spots with the Jacksonville Jaguars to select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. A Hudsonville native who wore a custom Lions jersey to his top-30 visit with the team, TeSlaa is a big and fast wideout with the potential to contribute either in the slot or out wide on the perimeter.

Detroit’s first Day 3 selection came in the fifth round, as Holmes swapped two picks to move up 11 spots and select LSU offensive lineman Miles Frazier with the 171st pick of the draft.

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The Detroit Lions began Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft with five draft selections overall. With two picks in the sixth-round and three in the seventh, it could be assumed the scouting department was comfortable with their evaluations and prospect rankings.

After targeting a defensive tackle, offensive lineman and wide receiver, Detroit decided to trade up again to pick No. 171 to select guard Miles Frazier out of LSU.

Detroit dealt with New England and parted ways with picks No. 182 and No. 228 to move up 11 spots.

Frazier was considered to be a top-100 prospect by several pundits, including NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah.

According to NFL draft analyst Lance Zeirlein, “Four-year starter who classifies as a physical short-area guard with satisfactory height, weight and length. Frazier has knock-back pop and is capable of mauling in tight spaces. His short pulls and lead blocks around the end are solid. Difficulties with reach blocks and second-level cut-offs on stretch plays could cause zone teams to scratch him. He possesses adequate range and foot quickness in protection and is fairly clear-eyed to recognize gaming fronts. His hand placement is average and he’s tight in his knees, which could be a concern for his anchor. Frazier has things to clean up but carries pro measurables and a play demeanor that gives him a shot to become a starter.”

The Lions began the draft by selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the 28th overall pick. Holmes told reporters that he entertained the possibility of trading back, but ultimately elected to stay in place and make the pick.

Holmes was active on the draft’s second day, completing a pair of trades to move up in the draft. First, he traded up three spots with the Denver Broncos to acquire Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge.

Then, he traded the 102nd overall pick along with a pair of 2026 third-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 70th overall pick, the 182nd overall pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. With that pick, the Lions drafted Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

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The Detroit Lions have been able to target players who have the potential to contribute quickly to a roster that is seeking to win a division title for the third consecutive season.

General manager Brad Holmes made the decision to move up again, this time dealing with the Jaguars. The Lions acquired the 70th pick, the 182nd pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for the 102nd overall pick and two 2026 third-round picks.

In the third-round, Detroit selected Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa with their third selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

TeSlaa grew up in Hudsonville, Mich., and began his collegiate career at Hillsdale, a Division II in Michigan. He transferred to Arkansas prior to the 2023 season and totaled 62 catches for 896 yards and five touchdowns. Last season, he hauled in 28 passes for 545 yards and three scores.

TeSlaa was the quarterback for the Unity Christian squad that beat Portland, 42-7, for the 2018 Division 5 football state championship, running for 111 yards and two scores, throwing for 70 and a score, and picking off two passes.

According to NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein,”TeSlaa is a big slot receiver whose stock might be on the rise after his performances during Senior Bowl week. He can mismatch smaller cornerbacks with his frame and play strength and is a reliable pass catcher when contested. He builds up speed as a vertical slot but isn’t sudden enough to simply uncover as a possession slot against tight man. TeSlaa’s ball skills and ability to work down the field from the slot should carry backup value for teams in the market for help at receiver.”

Detroit fortified its defensive line with the selection of Tyleik Williams out of Ohio State with its first selection, as Holmes drafted him 28th overall. Williams could be an instant contributor with Alim McNeill expected to miss the start of the regular season.

In the second round, the Lions added offensive line help by selecting Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge. With Kevin Zeitler departing, the Lions have an opening at right guard and Ratledge could compete for a starting job immediately.

The Lions traded up to acquire Ratledge, sending picks 60 and 130 to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the 57th and 230th (seventh-round) overall selections.

Barring any trades, the Lions will make their next selection in the sixth-round (No. 182).

 

Lions 2025 Draft Selections

Round 1, pick 28: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Round 2, pick 57: Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia

Round 3, pick 70: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas

Remaining Picks

Round 6, pick 182

Round 6, pick 196

Round 7, pick 228

Round 7, pick 230

Round 7, pick 244

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The Detroit Lions entered the second evening of the 2025 NFL Draft having clear needs at defensive end and along the offensive line.

In the second round, Detroit made the decision to trade up to the No. 57 position. In a deal with the Broncos, the Lions traded pick No. 60 and No. 130 in exchange for pick No. 57 and 230.

With their second selection, general manager Brad Holmes targeted offensive lineman Tate Ratledge.

Last season for the Georgia Bulldogs, the talented offensive lineman had a 74.4 overall offensive grade and a 74.7 run-blocking grade via Pro Football Focus.

According to NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler, “Overall, Ratledge is a self-described ‘dirtbag’ with the contact power, competitive edge and functional movement skills to match up against NFL defensive linemen. He should compete for a starting role as a rookie and has the necessary tools for a decade-long pro career, if he stays healthy.”

The Lions return four of their five starters, with the exception being Kevin Zeitler. The veteran guard departed Detroit to sign a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

Ratledge could compete for a starting job immediately along with Christian Mahogany, who started two games last season as a rookie.

Detroit took the opportunity on the first day to address the need along the interior of the defensive line. The expectation is Alim McNeill will miss the start of the regular season and will not be rushed back to action.

On the first night of the draft, Holmes claimed the class of edge rushers was solid and there could be a player available near where the team was selecting in the second-round.

Detroit added defensive line help with its first selection of the 2025 NFL draft, adding Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the 28th overall selection. Williams profiles as an early down run-stuffer with the potential to develop as a serious pass-rush threat.

Barring any trades, Detroit will make their next selection later in the evening in the third-round (No. 102).

 

Lions 2025 Draft Selections

Round 1, pick 28: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Round 2, pick 57: Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia

Remaining Picks

Round 3, pick 102

Round 6, pick 196

Round 7, pick 228

Round 7, pick 230

Round 7, pick 244

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