Category: sports

Lions draft EDGE Ahmed Hassanein in 6th and G Miles Frazier in 5th round

The Lions finally drafted an EDGE rusher when they selected Ahmed Hassanein from Boise State in the sixth round (196th overall) on Saturday. In the fifth round Detroit moved up to draft guard Miles Frazier out of LSU (171st).

Hassanein (pictured) is the first Egyptian to be drafted and would be the first Egyptian to ever play in the NFL. He started all 14 games in each of the last two seasons when he was first-team All-Mountain West. In 2024 he was tied for the team lead with 15.5 tackles for loss and led the team with 9.5 sacks.

He’s an amazing story as a newcomer who didn’t know anything about the game of football until he arrived in Southern California almost seven years ago. He didn’t even speak English, but eventually hooked up with the perfect scenario and a coach who believed in him at Boise State.

While he impressed the Lions, it’s obvious that coach Dan Campbell hit the perfect note with him.

“Whoever believes in me, that means the world to me, especially Dan Campbell. I would die for that guy, I would run through a wall for him,’’ said Hassanein who is 6-3 and 271 pounds.

He must have done his homework on the Lions because he seemed to have a real feel for the culture and feel of the team. “Super Bowl contenders, culture, family, earning everything — I couldn’t ask for a better team. It’s the perfect fit for me,’’ Hassanein said. “I love the Detroit Lions. I can’t wait to come in and work my butt off and help the team. Whatever they need, I’ll be there.’’

He was an athlete when he moved to California — he had done CrossFit and played other sports in Egypt — but didn’t know anything about football. He learned from his brother and watched YouTube videos. Initially, he wasn’t aware the NFL existed.

“It means the world to me. I can’t describe how I feel right now, it’s a dream come trueI couldn’t pick a better team,’’ Hassanein said. “I’m so honored, and so blessed to be a Detroit Lion. I’m super grateful. It means the world to me, seriously.’’

Earlier on Saturday, the Lions moved up to 171st in the fifth round to draft guard Miles Frazier of LSU. Detroit traded their 182nd and 228th picks to the Patriots to make the pick.

The 6-6, 317-pound offensive lineman started all 13 games in each of the last three seasons at LSU after transferring from Florida International. He allowed just 4 sacks in his collegiate career.  He started mostly at right and left guard, but said he was the backup tackle on both sides. In 2023 he was a finalist for the nation’s top offensive line award.

“I just want to be a part of something greater and I’m ready to compete. At the end of the day competition breeds excellence,’’ Frazier said in a conference call.

He describes himself as “more of a mauler.” 

Frazier said he just met Tate Ratledge (the Lions’ second-round pick) during the pre-draft process and said they have a good relationship. 

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein: “Frazier has things to clean up but carries pro measurables and a play demeanor that gives him a shot to become a starter.’’

Per Zierlein, Frazier compares to Rams guard Jonah Jackson who was drafted by the Lions in 2020.

Lions move up to draft WR Isaac TeSlaa in the third round

TeSlaa grew up in western Michigan as a Lions fan

ALLEN PARK — The Lions traded up 32 spots in the third round Friday night to draft wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who grew up in Hudsonville as a Lions fan.

In fact, he showed up at his pre-draft visit to the Lions wearing a Lions No. 10  Lions jersey with his own name across the back. This was a head-scratcher for GM Brad Holmes until he heard TeSlaa’s explanation that he had it since eighth grade and couldn’t imagine a better time to wear it. 

Of course, that is not why he was drafted at 70th overall.

“Saw him at the Senior Bowl and hadn’t watched his film yet. Just saw how he was in the team periods, his blocking, his size, he was just being a pest, he was pissing off the DB defenders,’’ Holmes said. “Obviously it made me want to completely watch the tape. You see a guy who’s a big, long, smooth strider, can accelerate, can run, he’s a hands catcher. Can play special teams and block, he can do a lot of things.’’

TeSlaa spent three seasons at Division II Hillsdale College before transferring to Arkansas in 2023. He’s a big receiver (6-4, 214 pounds)  who averaged 19.5 yards per catch in 2024 and ran a 4.3 in the 40 at the Combine where he opened more than a few eyes.

The Lions have a solid wide receiver group that includes Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but TeSlaa will add youth and another target for new offensive coordinator John Morton. 

TeSlaa played mostly at slot in 2024 but Holmes said he has the tools to play outside.

“Obviously it’s been not only a dream to play in the NFL but to play for my hometown team, the team I’ve been rooting for since I was a baby,’’ TeSlaa said on a conference call. “So it’s an incredible feeling I’m ready to get to work, get to the facility and put the work in.’’

Holmes said that TeSlaa and right guard Tate Ratledge, who was drafted in the second round, were identified early in the process.

Lions trade up, add to O-line by drafting Tate Ratledge in 2nd round

ALLEN PARK — About a year ago, Tate Ratledge had a massive lion tattooed on his right forearm. 

“The lions are the king of the jungle for a reason—  just their mentality, their attitude and how they go about their life,’’ said Ratledge who compared that to his approach to living.

The tatt took on new meaning when he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round (57th overall) on Friday night. GM Brad Holmes traded up two picks to grab the right guard who played at Georgia.

“It was out of nowhere, I could even process what was going on when I got the call. This means the world to me, it means the world to my family, every sacrifice they’ve made to help me get here,’’ Ratledge said on a conference call shortly after the pick. 

“I couldn’t ask for a better team, a better situation, to go to,’’ Ratledge added. “I’ve always been a fan of coach Campbell and the way he runs this program, what he has to say, how he runs the team, the O-line  … I feel it’s a great fit.’’

Ratledge, who turns 24 on Saturday, started 36 games at right guard in the last three seasons allowing just two sacks. At this year’s NFL Combine he finished first in athleticism. 

The Lions have an opening at right guard after Kevin Zeitler left in free agency.

Last season Ratledge was voted third-team Associated Press All-American and  first-team All-SEC. He played in 10 games with nine starts at right guard. He also takes pride in being a “dirt bag” type of player on the field.

ESPN’s Matt Miller’s post-draft analysis included: “If you asked before the draft what an ideal pick would be for Detroit in Round 2, this would have been the answer. Ratledge is an easy-moving right guard with big-time power on the point of impact in the run game. He also has the recovery agility to hold up in pass protection.’ … Ratledge will certainly see the field as a rookie with his impressive toughness and experience.’’

Ratledge also would compete for the best mullett on any football team. He said it started as a joke during COVID when his dad cut it in the front yard. He’s just stayed with it.