Pride of Detroit
Scouring the Detroit Lions’ 2025 roster for the deepest and least deep positions.
A team is only as good as its weakest link.
The Detroit Lions learned that the hard way in 2024, when their depth was severely tested across multiple positions. In particular, the defense was getting battered on a near-weekly basis. From losing linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs, the Lions were turning over every leaf to find replacements when the injury bug bit hard.
In fairness to the roster built by general manager Brad Holmes last season, the Lions had proper depth at many of these positions. The reality is that no team prepares to start their seventh-string defensive end or a poached practice squad player at the onset of a season. What went wrong last season was historically bad, no general manager could have prepared for that.
Entering the 2025 season, the Lions have once again re-upped their depth chart. Some names are returning from injury, other names are joining the team for the first time. When evaluating the present depth chart, which positions give you confidence and which positions make you nervous?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
My answer: Strongest is defensive tackle, weakest is safety.
For strongest, there were three positions in contention: running back, cornerback, and defensive tackle. At running back, the Lions have two starters in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery—many teams struggle to field one (hello, Chicago Bears). However, Sione Vaki is too much of an unknown for me in 2025, and while Craig Reynolds is a valuable depth piece, I would not feel confident in him leading a backfield. At cornerback, the top trio of D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Amik Robertson is solid, but will Ennis Rakestraw show up in his second season? As we saw the previous few seasons, having good corner depth is critical, and though Rakestraw has plenty of promise, we have not seen enough of him yet.
I went for defensive tackle because even if Alim McNeill misses the first half of the season, they are still in a good situation going forward. DJ Reader is still a reliable run stuffer along the interior. Tyleik Williams has shades of McNeill in his scouting report, and if he progresses quickly, he could be leaned upon early and often. I am very intrigued by the signing of Roy Lopez this offseason. He forecasts as Reader’s backup, but we could see a situation where both players spell each other over the course of a game—likely a beneficial move for the veteran Reader. If Lopez plays well enough, he could even compete for a starting role until McNeill returns.
Looking beyond nose tackles, the Lions will return Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo as well. They have inside-outside flexibility, and though each has battled injuries, they were impressive when on the field in 2024. For Onwuzurike, 2024 was a much-needed healthy season after some serious setbacks since joining the NFL....
