The Detroit Lions might finally be giving Aidan Hutchinson the help he needs on the edge — at least according to the latest NFL mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
In his new two-round projection, Kiper has Detroit selecting Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku with the No. 28 overall pick. And if that prediction comes to life, it could be a game-changer for a Lions defense that struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks in 2024.
Why Ezeiruaku Makes Sense for Detroit
Let’s be honest — the Lions’ pass rush outside of Hutchinson has been wildly inconsistent. Marcus Davenport is back, but he barely saw the field last year. Za’Darius Smith, the team’s midseason addition, was let go this offseason after posting just four sacks. That leaves Hutchinson, recovering from a leg injury, as the lone proven threat on the edge.
Mel Kiper summed it up pretty well:
“Aidan Hutchinson — who is coming off a leg injury — needs a running mate,” he wrote.
“The only other Detroit edge rusher with more than three sacks last season was Za’Darius Smith (four), who was acquired at midseason and released this spring.”
Enter Ezeiruaku.
Ezeiruaku recorded a whopping 16.5 sacks and 65 pressures last season at Boston College. He’s relentless, twitchy off the edge, and just the kind of high-motor defender who could thrive playing across from Hutchinson.
Bolstering the Trenches in Round 2
Kiper didn’t stop there. With the Lions’ second-round pick at No. 60, he has Detroit targeting NC State offensive lineman Andrew Belton, a versatile big man who could help fill the void left by Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free agency.
At 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, Belton played almost exclusively at left tackle in college but could kick inside to guard — a position of need in Detroit.
“The Lions lost Kevin Zeitler in free agency,” Kiper notes. “Some combination of Kayode Awosika and Christian Mahogany is currently in line to take over at right guard. Belton… could slide inside in the pros — and the Lions might opt for that in Year 1.”
The Bottom Line
If the Lions walk away from the first two rounds of the draft with Donovan Ezeiruaku and Andrew Belton, they’ll have addressed two key needs — edge rusher and offensive line — without having to reach. Brad Holmes has a track record of smart, value-driven picks, and this latest Kiper projection fits that mold perfectly.
And hey, if Ezeiruaku really does become the wingman Aidan Hutchinson needs, don’t be surprised if Detroit’s pass rush starts looking a whole lot more dangerous in 2025.
