Our ranking of the 2025 Detroit Lions roster has reached players 40-31, which we call “The Role Players.”
The countdown of our 2025 Detroit Lions roster rankings continues with the players we ranked from 40 to 31. This range features a ton of returning names and a few new ones, but most have one thing in common: they aren’t starters. However, they do figure to play significant roles on either offense, defense, or special teams. In other words: these are your 2025 Detroit Lions role players.
Note: For methodology and more details, check out the first installment of this series.
Previously:
40. CB Khalil Dorsey (Highest ranking: 34, Lowest ranking: 52)
Dorsey established himself as one of the Lions’ best special teamers last year, with Dave Fipp often calling him one of the best gunners in the league. While he still has a lot of room to grow as a reserve cornerback, he has been called on to start three games over the past two years and held up okay.
39. RB Sione Vaki (Highest: 33, Lowest: 50)
Interesting to see Vaki slide a couple spots after quickly establishing himself as one of the best teamers on the roster. Perhaps there was a bigger expectation for an offensive role last year, or maybe the roster is just a little deeper this year, forcing Vaki down four spots.
38. RB Craig Reynolds (Highest: 32, Lowest: 47)
Interesting to see Reynolds higher on this list than Vaki when he was six spots lower than him in 2024. Again, that may be due to an inflated expectation for a rookie like Vaki, as Reynolds held him off in the RB3 battle for essentially the entire year. It’s easy to forget that Reynolds has a significant special teams role, too (over 200 snaps in each of the last two seasons).
37. OT Dan Skipper (Highest: 28, Lowest: 47)
Skipper jumps seven spots on this year’s list after having a strong 2024 season. He looked far more capable in his OT3 role, played relatively well as a full-time starter in three games (vs. Texans , Bears, and Packers ), and he even caught a freaking touchdown. Now, can he hold off Giovanni Manu this year?
36. WR Isaac TeSlaa (Highest: 33, Lowest: 42)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
It’s hard to know what TeSlaa’s role will be in 2025. It’s entirely possible with Detroit’s top-four receivers returning from last year, TeSlaa will not be expected to have any offensive role. But given Brad Holmes’ aggressive move to get him, there is certainly an expectation TeSall can—and will—grow into a significant contributor on offense. It’s just a matter of when.
35. DT Roy Lopez (Highest: 32, Lowest: 46)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Last year, Lopez started 16 games for the Cardinals at nose tackle, but his role figures to be more rotational in Detroit. That not only gives the Lions another valuable run-stuffer in the middle, but it also means they can keep veteran DJ Reader fresh, too. That depth could be really valuable early in the season as Detroit tries to manage without Alim McNeill.
34. DB Avonte Maddox (Highest: 30, Lowest: 41)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Maddox had a long-spanning career with the Eagles, but youth eventually pushed him out of a significant role in Philly. Detroit was happy to claim the versatile defensive back, and it appears they view him as depth at both safety and nickelback. That will be important because Detroit is otherwise thin at both of those positions.
33. CB Ennis Rakestraw (Highest: 22, Lowest: 40)
We were robbed of seeing Rakestraw in his rookie season due to injury, and now it seems he’ll be stuck behind the two starting cornerbacks to start the year. That said, by focusing on outside cornerback this year, his ceiling is to play a role similar to Amik Robertson—where he can be a versatile corner capable of playing anywhere.
32. LB Malcolm Rodriguez (Highest: 26, Lowest: 36)
It’s hard to rank Rodriguez on this year’s list knowing the Lions will be without him until November due to injury. However, once healthy, Rodriguez is an absolute luxury to have. He’s a starting-capable linebacker who is a menace defending the run and a valuable piece on special teams. They’ll have to rely on Grant Stuard (ranked 42) for that role early, and who knows what Rodriguez will look like when he’s healthy. Either way, it’s a huge year for the Lions linebacker, as his rookie contract expires after the season.
31. TE Brock Wright (Highest: 26, Lowest: 36)
Wright has slid into the TE2 role comfortably. While he’s not an outstanding blocker, he is a well-rounded player who will catch the occasional big pass and more often than not complete his blocking assignment. Entering his fifth year with the Lions, there aren’t many with as much schematic knowledge as Wright, leaving him essentially unopposed for the TE2 role.