Here’s an updated look at the Detroit Lions’ depth chart ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the 2025 NFL Draft ready to kickoff, now is a great time to take a look at the Detroit Lions roster with an updated depth chart.
This version of the Lions depth chart is a bit unique. As always, we will lists/ranks all the players, highlighting the team’s current projected starters (bolded). But for this pre-NFL Draft we will also identify potential needs at each position, as well as how many players the Lions typically bring into their training camps. Additionally, in certain position groups, we will also include the betting odds that the Lions select a player from said group with their first pick, with the current odds supplied form the good folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook .
Quarterback (3)
- Jared Goff
- Hendon Hooker
- Kyle Allen
Short-term need
: 1/10
Long-term need: 2/10
Additions for camp: Maybe a camp arm
With Pro Bowler Jared Goff under contract through 2028, backup Hendon Hooker still on his rookie contract through 2026, and Kyle Allen on a single-year contract, the Lions aren’t in a pressing spot to make a move at quarterback. If they do add another signal caller, expect it to be late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent.
Running back (4)
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- David Montgomery
- Craig Reynolds
- Sione Vaki
Short-term need
: 2/10
Long-term need: 1/10
Additions for camp: Up to 2 depth players
The Lions return all four of their running backs from last season, but this is a loaded class and the Lions could feel tempted to upgrade their depth competition. At a minimum, look for the Lions to hit the UDFA market for a few gems that don’t hear their name called during the draft.
Wide receiver (7)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Jameson Williams
- Tim Patrick
- Kalif Raymond
- Tom Kennedy
- Antoine Green
- Ronnie Bell
Short-term need
: 3/10
Long-term need: 6.5/10
Additions for camp: Potentially 5, including a future starter
FanDuel odds
of wide receiver selected with Lions first pick: +900
Like at running back, the Lions return their top four players from the position. But Detroit typically keeps five or six receivers on their active roster, making this a prime position for the Lions to acquire youth at the position—something coach Dan Campbell alluded to at the owners’ meetings . Add in the fact that Tim Patrick will turn 32 and Kalif Raymond will turn 31 during the season, and receiver could be a low key high priority for the Lions.
Tight end (4)
- Sam LaPorta
- Brock Wright
- Shane Zylstra
- Kenny Yeboah
Short-term need
: 3/10
Long-term need: 5/10
Additions for camp: 1 or 2 depth blockers
The Lions return all three of their tight ends from last season, and while they have a quality one-two punch at the top, they may be inclined to add some competition for their TE3 role. Zylstra and Yeboah will show up to camp ready to battle, but there are some Day 3 blocking tight ends worth considering in this class.
Offensive line (13)
Projected starters
LT Taylor Decker
LG Graham Glasgow
C Frank Ragnow
RG Christian Mahogany
RT Penei Sewell
Reserves
OT/G Dan Skipper
OC/G Michael Niese
OG Kayode Awosika
OG Netane Muti
RT/G Colby Sorsdal
OT Jamarco Jones
LT Giovanni Manu
IOL Kingsley Eguakun
OT Short-term need
: 0/10
OT Long-term need: 3/10
IOL Short-term need
: 5/10
IOL Long-term need: 8/10
Additions for camp: At least 2, including a challenger for a starting role at guard
FanDuel odds
of an offensive linemen selected with Lions first pick: +185
Taylor Decker will turn 32 years old this season and Graham Glassgow will turn 33, which does create some long-term needs on the offensive line. Decker is coming off a Pro Bowl season and should feel secure as the Lions’ starting left tackle. However, he has a big payday coming in 2026, which could prompt the Lions to be proactive—though they may have already taken that step, if Giovanni Manu processes as they hope.
At guard, things are a bit muddled. Glasgow does not seem in as safe of a spot as Decker, though the Lions coaches have put their support behind him. While Christian Mahogany has flashed high-end talent, but lacks NFL experience with only two starts under his belt. With the Lions being intent on keeping their offensive line a strength, they may grab another interior offensive lineman to compete—potentially as early as the first round.
Interior defensive line (9)
- DT Alim McNeill — Injured, expected to miss time during regular season
- NT DJ Reader
- DL Levi Onwuzurike
- NT Roy Lopez
- DL Mekhi Wingo
- DL Pat O’Connor
- DL Myles Adams
- NT Brodric Martin
- DL Chris Smith
Short-term need
: 4/10
Long-term need: 7/10
Additions for camp: Potentially 1, if they can be an immediate contributor
FanDuel odds
of defensive lineman/EDGE selected with Lions first pick: -140
The injury to Alim McNeill, coupled with DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, and Roy Lopez all having only one year left on their contracts, makes securing a defensive tackle a need that the Lions could address early in the draft. There’s plenty of depth, so if the Lions don’t grab a defensive tackle early, they may wait and tap into the UDFA market, if at all.
EDGE (7)
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
- EDGE Marcus Davenport
- DL Josh Paschal
- EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
- EDGE Nate Lynn
- EDGE Mitchell Agude
- EDGE Isaac Ukwu
Short-term need
: 6/10
Long-term need: 9/10
Additions for camp: At least 1, including a challenger for a starting role
FanDuel odds
of defensive lineman/EDGE selected with Lions first pick: -140
With Marcus Davenport’s injury history and the lack of edge rusher signed beyond this season, the Lions will surely be on the hunt for a young edge rusher to add stability to their defensive line. Adding at least one player who could compete for a starting role is logical, and a double-dip in the draft should not be ruled out.
Linebacker (10)
- MIKE Jack Campbell
- WILL Alex Anzalone
- SAM Derrick Barnes
- WILL Malcolm Rodriguez
- WILL Grant Stuard
- SAM/MIKE Trevor Nowaske
- MIKE/SAM Anthony Pittman
- WILL Ezekiel Turner
- WILL/MIKE Abraham Beauplan
- WILL DaRon Gilbert
Short-term need
: 0/10
Long-term need: 6/10
Additions for camp: None, unless they fill a future need
FanDuel odds
of linebacker selected with Lions first pick: +2500
With 10 linebackers under contract, the Lions can sit back and see if an opportunity arises without feeling the pinch to add a player. Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes are the only linebackers under contract beyond this season, which will keep the Lions looking, but they’ll be looking for the right situation.
Cornerback (8)
- CB Terrion Arnold
- CB D.J. Reed
- CB/NB Amik Robertson
- CB/NB Ennis Rakestraw
- NB Avonte Maddox
- CB Khalil Dorsey
- CB Rock Ya-Sin
- CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Short-term need
: 1/10
Long-term need: 3/10
Additions for camp: Likely 1 to 2, with the future in mind
FanDuel odds
of cornerback selected with Lions first pick: +1000
With three of their top four corners signed for the next three seasons, drafting a corner early doesn’t seem like a high priority. Yet, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and ESPN’s Peter Schrager both projected the Lions to select a cornerback in the first round of their latest mock drafts. With both analysts being plugged into NFL circles, it’s worth wondering if there’s any fire under this smoke.
Safety (5)
- S/NB Brian Branch
- S Kerby Joseph
- S/NB Morice Norris
- S/NB Loren Strickland
- Erick Hallett
Short-term need
: 5/10
Long-term need: 6/10
Additions for camp: Likely 2 or 3, including a challenger for a third-safety role
FanDuel odds
of safety selected with Lions first pick: +6000
Adding a third safety could very well be part of the Lions’ draft plans, but the class lacks depth, and the most contributors may need to be selected early in the draft. Regardless of if they draft a safety or not, they’ll likely be bringing in two or three for training camp.
Kicking team (3)
- P Jack Fox
- K Jake Bates
- LS Hogan Hatten
Short-term need: 1/10
Long-term need: 1/10
Additions for camp: None beyond camp depth
In most years, the Lions would bring in kickers and long snappers to compete, but Detroit seems very content with the trio they have under contract. It’s possible the Lions bring in some depth for camp to take stress off the starters, but with only 17 spots available on the roster and depth needs at other premium positions, it wouldn’t be surprising if they don’t add any rookies.
At-a-glance projected depth chart
