A look at which Detroit Lions players just missed out of the top-five in our ranking of the 2025 roster.
We’ve reached the top-10 in our rankings of the Detroit Lions’ 2025 roster. I’ve decided this year to split the top-10 into two different sections. On one hand, yes, I’m absolutely milking this series to the end. On the other hand, I thought each of these players—some seemingly belonging in the top-five—deserved a little extra love and discussion.
In short, every single remaining player on this countdown should be celebrated.
Note: For methodology and more details, check out the first installment of this series.
Previously:
- Players ranked 90-81
- Players 80-71
- Players 70-61
- Players 60-51
- Players 50-41
- Players 40-31
- Players 30-21
- Players 20-11
10. WR Jameson Williams (Highest ranking: 6, Lowest ranking: 13)
Last year’s ranking: 19
2023 ranking: 14
2022 ranking: 6
Jameson Williams has nearly caught up to his post-draft hype after a turbulent three seasons. His being ranked sixth on the 2022 list is both a reflection of how poor that roster was and of how high expectations were for the first-round pick once he returned from injury.
Despite a shaky first two years, Williams has thoroughly brushed off any “bust” labels with an outstanding run starting in the middle of the 2023 season. Last year’s 1,000-yard season was electric, but coaches and players around him are convinced his ceiling is still much higher than we’ve seen. If Williams reaches that hype in 2025, he could be the next Lion to receive a mega-extension.
9. DT Alim McNeill (Highest: 6, Lowest: 13)
Last year’s ranking: 10
2023 ranking: 11
2022 ranking: 15
2021 ranking: 21
McNeill has slowly crept up the list ever since he was drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft . He’s quietly developed the reputation of a borderline top-10 defensive tackle in this league, earning elite PFF grades in back-to-back seasons (79.6 in 2024, 86.8 in 2023). That play earned him a massive four-year, $97 million contract in the middle of the 2024 season.
It was a tough year to rank him, though, considering he’s expected to miss a significant portion of the season due to a torn ACL suffered in December. Still, our staff understands that when he returns fully healthy, he’s one of the best players on the team.
8. TE Sam LaPorta (Highest: 7, Lowest: 11)
Last year’s ranking: 5
2023 ranking: 20
I’m a little surprised to see LaPorta drop out of the top five, especially when you consider one of those top-five positions (Frank Ragnow) is vacant from last year. That said, there were a few players who had breakout seasons in 2024 that caused them to jump him in the rankings. In fact, no one on staff had LaPorta higher than seventh.
LaPorta did have a “down” year compared to his historic rookie season, but he still finished sixth among tight ends in receiving yards (726), t-fourth in touchdowns (seven), and sixth in yards per reception (12.1). All the while, he made strides as a blocker.
In short, the best justification for LaPorta’s drop is that the Lions simply got better at the top of their roster.
7. QB Jared Goff (Highest: 5, Lowest: 11)
Last year’s ranking: 7
2023 ranking: 8
2022 ranking: 19
2021 ranking: 11
Goff has plateaued a bit in our rankings, but the fact that he’s managed to stay in the top-10 despite Detroit’s extremely improved roster is a testament to how he is part of the essential core to this team.
Goff is coming off a career year that placed him among the top-two in:
- Passing yards (4,629 — 2nd)
- Yards per attempt (8.6 — 2nd)
- Completion percentage (72.4 — 2nd)
- Passer rating (111.8 — 2nd)
- Fourth quarter comebacks (four, t-2nd)
His strong, consistent play has earned him a reputation as one of the top-10 quarterbacks among his peers . But, of course, because he’s Jared Goff, he enters 2025 with a new set of doubters. He’ll need to maintain his success without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to convince some that he’s an elite player, but I’m sure some other excuse will pop off once he does that.
6. S Kerby Joseph (Highest: 5, Lowest: 10)
Last year’s ranking: 17
2023 ranking: 10
2022 ranking: 39
Joseph earns his highest ranking in these countdowns after leading the NFL in interceptions and being named first-team All-Pro in 2024. He parlayed that performance into a huge four-year, $85 million extension , cementing his place in the Lions’ foundation.
Joseph has become one of the most feared safeties in the league, tallying a total of 17 interceptions since he came into the league in 2022. Over the course of those three years, not only does Joseph lead all NFL players, but the next closest defender is Jessie Bates and DaRon Bland with 14. Only 11 players have at least 10.
Again, this ranking almost feels low for Joseph, but that simply speaks to how incredibly good Detroit’s top-five players are.