Our countdown of the best players on the 2025 Detroit Lions roster has reached the top-30.
Our Detroit Lions roster ranking for the 2025 season has reached players 30-21. This range features five players who were in this exact range, two draft picks, and two players who made huge surges from last year’s expectations. Every single one of these players are expected to make key contributions this year.
Here’s a look at the players our staff ranked 30-21 on the Lions roster.
Note: For methodology and more details, check out the first installment of this series.
Previously:
30. EDGE Josh Paschal (Highest ranking: 25, Lowest ranking: 34)
Paschal drops a few spots after failing to take the next step in his development in Year 3. With all of the injuries at defensive end last year, the hope was that Paschal could step in and make a huge difference. Unfortunately, in 10 starts, he managed just 21 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and eight quarterback hits. Paschal enters the final year of his rookie contract with no assurance that his future lies in Detroit.
29. WR Kalif Raymond (Highest: 20, Lowest: 35)
Despite another second-team All-Pro performance in 2024, Raymond also slipped in this year’s ranking. While he remains one of the best punt returners in the league, his offensive role has shrunk in each of the past two years. And with the drafting of Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett, the Lions could be headed toward a youth movement, while Raymond, soon-to-be 31, is entering the final year of his deal.
28. K Jake Bates (Highest: 13, Lowest: 38)
Bates blew expectations out of the water in 2024, earning himself a 30-player jump in this year’s ranking. Despite a shaky training camp, Bates finished the year an impressive 26-of-29 on field goals, with his only three misses coming from 40 yards or longer. Most impressively, he was 6-of-8 from 50+ yards and nailed a few game-winning kicks.
There’s some disagreement among staff on how high he ranks, which is likely due to a small sample size from the 26-year-old kicker.
27. WR Tim Patrick (Highest: 21, Lowest: 29)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Added at the end of training camp last year, Patrick quickly found himself as the team’s starting X-receiver. His statline may not look all that impressive (33 catches, 394 yards, 3 TDs), but he was an impact player as a run blocker, and coaches constantly praised his ability to make the right plays away from the ball.
26. P Jack Fox (Highest: 11, Lowest: 34)
Fox drops four spots despite leading the NFL in net punting yards last year (winning free beer from Jared Goff in the process ). I believe his fall has less to do with Fox himself and more to do with a stronger top-25 roster for Detroit.
25. DT Tyleik Williams (Highest: 20, Lowest: 28)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
The Lions’ first-round pick just barely cracks the top 25. We didn’t get to see much of him in the spring, as the Lions eased him in following an offseason injury. But given the injury to Alim McNeill, it’s entirely possible we see a lot of Williams early.
24. EDGE Marcus Davenport (Highest: 16, Lowest: 30)
It’s certainly surprising to see Davenport actually climb three spots after missing most of the 2024 season with an injury. Given that health was already a big concern, there’s an understandable skepticism about his NFL future. However, the coaching staff continues to hype him up, and the fact that the Lions didn’t add any other starting-capable pieces to the EDGE room perhaps has our staff feeling a little optimistic about his chances.
23. iOL Graham Glasgow (Highest: 15, Lowest: 34)
Glasgow had a rough year at left guard in 2024, but he’ll be a key piece in 2025. Whether it was the move to the left side, a lingering injury, or just normal regression at his age, Glasgow’s play wasn’t up to his lofty standards. With the retirement of Frank Ragnow, Glasgow is now the veteran among a very young interior offensive line group. Whether he’s at center or guard, his knowledge of the offensive scheme and defensive pressures will be critical.
22. iOL Tate Ratledge (Highest: 19, Lowest: 28)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Interestingly enough, Detroit’s second-round pick places higher on this list than their first-round selection. That speaks to his importance to the team because of the aforementioned Ragnow retirement. At this point, it isn’t clear whether Ratledge will play center or guard, but there is a high probability he’ll be starting in Week 1.
21. iOL Christian Mahogany (Highest: 17, Lowest: 33)
All three projected interior offensive line starters rank right next to each other. It’s fascinating that Mahogany, the team’s sixth-round pick in 2024, places above the other two. Including the playoffs, Mahogany started just two games last year, but he was fantastic in those minimal performances. Will that translate to a full season of strong play? Our staff seems to think so.