This article is presented by Antonio’s Italian Cucina

Detroit came away from the 2025 NFL Draft with seven new rookies. Some of which were made in a lab for Dan Campbell

When a new regime takes over a franchise, their first drafts are often culture setting drafts. Their selections, on top of being talented, need to set the mood in the locker room going forward. Dan Campbell, while not new to the Lions front office, continues to take culture guys that fit his energy to a tee. 

While the Lions’ first round draft pick, Tyleik Williams, is being compared to Alim McNeil, a noted Dan Campbell guy, (and also Aaron Donald…), it’s really our other picks who were built in a lab for Dan and this franchise.

Second round pick, Tate Ratledge, the 6’7 320 lbs guard, is not only a mountain of a man, but Sports Illustrated had this to say about his play style, “His play and style has been called that of a “dirtbag,” and the guard is willing to play hard-nosed, grit-filled football. Lance Zierlein called Ratledge as having a ‘dirt-dog mentality.’” To add to this hard-nosed play style, Ratledge easily rocks the best hair in the draft. A perfect match for Dan Campbell.

Later in the draft, Holmes finally did select an EDGE in the draft, albeit much later than most people expected. But who he got, is someone that was molded to play for Dan Campbell. Ahmed Hassanein, out of Boise State, was selected by Detroit in the 6th round, and while he just started playing football in 2019, he has the motor and grit to play at the next level. After being drafted, Ahmed gave one of the best, most Dan Campbell quotes I’ve ever seen.

“I never stop… I’ll never settle,” “Relentlessness, 100 miles per hour on every play,” and “I’m ready to die on the football field for those who believe in me” – Ahmed Hassanein on his play style and mentality

It should be noted that on top of his relentless motor, Hassanein can still flat out play. Kacy Rodgers now has a demon who had 32 tackles for loss, including 22 sacks, over the last two seasons. He was the only d-lineman in college football to record at least 15.0 tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons. That production, plus his motor, plus the potential equals a fucking demon for Detroit. 

Even the others I haven’t brought up here have been described as tough sons of bitches. LSU guard Miles Frazier is as mean and tough on the field as anyone. Isaac TeSlaa, WR out of Arkansas, takes pride in annoying defensive backs and truly lives by the “No block, no rock” mentality. Finally, 7th round draft pick Dan Jackson lays the fucking wood. After reading this, go take a look at his highlights. He’s as nasty on the field as they come and makes anyone crossing the field in front of him pay. 

So, if you’re mad the Lions didn’t take an EDGE earlier, that’s fair. But just remember that almost every pick Detroit made was a match made in heaven. Every single guy embodies Dan Campbell’s grit and will continue setting the culture here. The rest of the NFL should be scared of the dirtbags Detroit has put together.