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:
Which Lions positions have the strongest and weakest depth?
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. For Wingo, he has the potential to bring some serious interior pass rush, a trait that not many Lions linemen have. Not to be forgotten is Pat O’Connor, a player that, while on the bubble entering 2025, held his own amid of slew of injuries along the defensive front.
I would feel fairly confident in most of these names seeing starting snaps. The same cannot be said for safety.
Without question, the Lions have an elite duo with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. However, everything beyond them is a question mark. On paper, the top reserve could be Avonte Maddox. However, the 5-foot-9 defensive back has historically been a slot cornerback. Can he step in if one of Branch or Joseph get hurt?
Elsewhere, which safeties will even make the team? Rookie Dan Jackson has a leg up on the competition (I assume), but special teams were his college calling card, not defensive back play. The only other safeties on the roster are Erick Hallett, undrafted rookie Ian Kennelly, Morice Norris, and Loren Strickland, none of whom have much in terms of starting experience.
Part of me wonders if the Lions will bring in a free agent at the kickoff of training camp (Marcus Williams and Justin Simmons are two names that stand out), though it could very well be a case of the Lions coaching staff having enough faith in their depth. I am still skeptical in that regard, but training camp will shed plenty of light on whether this is justified or not.
Which positions are you feeling confident in? Are there any positions with concerning depth? Let us know in the comment below.