Almost untouchable until the Washington Commanders spoiled a Super Bowl plan in the postseason, the Detroit Lions did a lot of losing since the calendar turned to 2025.
Beyond another painful dismissal from the postseason, the Lions lost nearly half of their coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson became head coach of the Chicago Bears, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the new boss of the Jets and several position coaches and support staff are no longer in Detroit.
Many of the perceived vital players are the same, from quarterback Jared Goff to offensive tackle Penei Sewell, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. And defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is expected to be full strength after surgery to repair a broken leg before midseason in 2024.
The Lions are still looking for additions to the roster capable of making a major impact. The pass rush was a scramble to assemble without Hutchinson and injuries at linebacker and cornerback took some of the bite out of a group exposed by Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in January.
General manager Brad Holmes has aced multiple drafts, and the Lions’ culture is anything but woe-is-me these days. So how will coach Dan Campbell and Holmes get the Lions back to the top of the NFC and beyond?
Let’s look at their options.
–Team needs
Defensive end: Hutchinson missed half of the season and still led the team with 7.5 sacks. A pass-rushing linebacker in the mold of Micah Parsons would be an option, but a traditional defensive end to complement Hutchinson rates as first priority. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill is also returning from injury and could stand to benefit from blocking changes that would come along with adding to the defensive line.
Cornerback: Detroit drafted heavily at cornerback in 2024 (first-rounder Terrion Arnold and second-rounder Ennis Rakestraw Jr.) and signed D.J. Reed (three years, $48 million), so there’s something to work with here. But the Lions finished 30th against the pass in 2024. Until the team confident it has enough at the position, Holmes will continue taking swings at this position.
Interior offensive line: For the second offseason in a row, the Lions lost a starting guard to free agency. Drafting a tackle who can play guard until Taylor Decker no longer mans the left side is a strong consideration.
–Best prospect fits
OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
DE Mike Green, Marshall
CB Will Johnson, Michigan
DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
OG Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas
–2025 draft picks by round
Total picks: 7
By round (pick in round, overall pick)
1: 28, 28
2: 28, 60
3: 38, 102 (NFL compensatory selection)
4: 28, 130
6: 20, 196 (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
7: 12, 228 (from Dallas Cowboys)
7: 28, 224
–History Lesson
–A few of the top players selected No. 28 overall are Pro Football Hall of Famers: LB Derrick Brooks (Buccaneers, 1995) and CB Darrell Green (Washington, 1983).
