The Detroit Lions traded up for the third time in the 2025 NFL Draft and once again went back to the trenches, drafting LSU guard Miles Frazier with pick No. 171 in the fifth round.
Miles Frazier, G, LSU
The Detroit Lions packaged picks No. 182 and 228 in a trade with the New England Patriots and acquired pick No. 171 in order to select Frazier. According to most projections, this looks like another Day-3 steal for Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
Here are a few rankings from trusted NFL Draft analysts:
Fit with the Lions
Frazier is a mauling right guard who prides himself on finishing plays with violence. He is aggressive and mean in the run game with experience in gap, outside zone, and duo. As a pass protector, some technical aspects of his game need improvement, but his strength is evident and effective. Frazier only allowed four sacks over his three seasons at LSU and did not allow any in 2024.
While Frazier played right guard the previous two seasons, he also has experience at left guard and was LSU’s backup left and right tackle last season. Frazier’s length and body type will likely keep him inside in the NFL, but having the experience at tackle will surely add value when it’s time to determine roster spots.
Roster impact
As discussed in our Tate Ratledge impact article, the Lions may hold a significant competition for their starting guard roles, with returning starter Graham Glasgow, Christain Mahogany, Rateledge, and now Frazier as the frontrunners for the two spots. Kayode Awosika and Netane Muti also figure to be in the mix, but the early signs suggest they have a lot of work to do.
At a minimum, the investment made by the Lions in Frazier points to him being a developmental backup as a rookie with starter-level upside in the future.