Detroit Lions select Boise State's Ahmed Hassanein in NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions selected Boise State edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein with the 196th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the first Egyptian player ever drafted into the NFL. Hassanein, who moved from Cairo to the U.S. in 2018 and began playing football in high school, became a team captain at Boise State and was praised for his high motor, toughness, and leadership. Over his college career, he recorded 24 sacks and 35 tackles for loss, with most of his production coming in his final two seasons as a full-time starter. The Lions, who faced defensive injuries in 2024 and are now under new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, see Hassanein as a developmental pass rusher who fits both a team need and their culture of resilience. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. noted Hassanein's potential as a 'good project' for NFL coaches. This pick follows Detroit's previous defensive and offensive selections in the draft, as the team aims to further strengthen its roster for the upcoming season.