Pride of Detroit
Our ranking of the 2025 Detroit Lions roster has reached players 40-31, which we call “The Role Players.”
The countdown of our 2025 Detroit Lions roster rankings continues with the players we ranked from 40 to 31. This range features a ton of returning names and a few new ones, but most have one thing in common: they aren’t starters. However, they do figure to play significant roles on either offense, defense, or special teams. In other words: these are your 2025 Detroit Lions role players.
Note: For methodology and more details, check out the first installment of this series.
Previously:
Dorsey established himself as one of the Lions’ best special teamers last year, with Dave Fipp often calling him one of the best gunners in the league. While he still has a lot of room to grow as a reserve cornerback, he has been called on to start three games over the past two years and held up okay.
Interesting to see Vaki slide a couple spots after quickly establishing himself as one of the best teamers on the roster. Perhaps there was a bigger expectation for an offensive role last year, or maybe the roster is just a little deeper this year, forcing Vaki down four spots.
Interesting to see Reynolds higher on this list than Vaki when he was six spots lower than him in 2024. Again, that may be due to an inflated expectation for a rookie like Vaki, as Reynolds held him off in the RB3 battle for essentially the entire year. It’s easy to forget that Reynolds has a significant special teams role, too (over 200 snaps in each of the last two seasons).
Skipper jumps seven spots on this year’s list after having a strong 2024 season. He looked far more capable in his OT3 role, played relatively well as a full-time starter in three games (vs. Texans, Bears, and Packers), and he even caught a freaking touchdown. Now, can he hold off Giovanni Manu this year?
Last year’s ranking: N/A
It’s hard to know what TeSlaa’s role will be in 2025. It’s entirely possible with Detroit’s top-four receivers returning from last year, TeSlaa will not be expected to have any offensive role. But given Brad Holmes’ aggressive move to get him, there is certainly an expectation TeSall can—and will—grow into a significant contributor on offense. It’s just a matter of when.
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Last year, Lopez started 16 games for the Cardinals...
