The 2025 NFL Draft ended on Saturday, and the Detroit Lions selected seven players in total.
Overall, it was an impressive haul for the Lions, who seemed to make the most of their draft picks. Defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge could start immediately, as both players were drafted to fill needs.
The Lions traded up for wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the third round, and the Arkansas product could carve out a role in a talented wide receivers room. The other four picks for the team should compete for depth roles during their rookie seasons.
Now, the roster appears to be, for the most part, complete. With the major parts of the offseason now over, let’s dive in and try to predict what the final roster could look like.
Of course, much will change between now and Week 1, but it’s good to get an idea of where the roster stands.
Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection
Quarterbacks (2): Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker
Last year, the team decided to keep only Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker on the final roster. It will be interesting to see what route the team goes this year, as Kyle Allen has been the only addition so far.
This is a crucial offseason for Hooker. If the Tennessee product fails to impress again, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a trade or free agency addition made. For now, we’ll assume Hooker does enough to beat out Allen and maintains a hold on the backup job.
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Running backs (4): Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Anthony Tyus (UDFA)
The Lions still boast one of the best running back duos in the league in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Craig Reynolds is a solid special-teamer and blocker, so he probably sticks around, as well.
Sione Vaki is the only other running back on the roster, so I’m going to predict a UDFA makes the team. Anthony Tyus reportedly signed with the Lions after going undrafted, and the Ohio product could easily stand out. Tyus led the MAC with 1,215 rushing yards last year and is a bruiser.
Wide receivers (7): Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, Isaac TeSlaa, Kalif Raymond, Dominic Lovett, Jackson Meeks
The top four are likely locks, and this is a solid group overall. Kalif Raymond probably sticks around due to his ability as a deep-threat and his help in the return game. For the final spots, I have Dominic Lovett and UDFA Jackson Meeks sneaking onto the roster.
While Lovett and Meeks make the roster for now, those spots will come down to who contributes the most on special teams.
MORE: How experts graded Lions’ 2025 NFL draft class
Tight ends (3): Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra
Sam LaPorta is one of the better tight ends in the NFL and Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra were on the team last year and are solid backups.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see a veteran addition at some point just to increase the competition in the room. The team didn’t invest a draft pick or sign a tight end in free agency, though, so more than likely, not much will change,
Offensive line (9): Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Tate Ratledge, Penei Sewell, Dan Skipper, Giovanni Manu, Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier
Four of the five starting spots here should be set. The lone exception is right guard, where rookie Tate Ratledge and 2024 pick Christian Mahogany will likely battle it out.
Dan Skipper sticks around as a reliable veteran swing tackle, while Giovanni Manu makes the team as a developmental tackle/guard. Fellow rookie Miles Frazier claims the last spot for now, but there will be competition.
Defensive line (10): Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Ahmed Hassanein, D.J. Reader, Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez
This defensive front has the potential to be scary. Aidan Hutchinson, assuming he’s back to his pre-injury self, is one of the best edge-rushers in the league and Marcus Davenport was also brought back.
Josh Paschal, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Ahmed Hassanein round out the edge-rusher group in this projection. On the interior, the final spot could be between several defenders, like Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo and Brodric Martin.
Linebackers (5): Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Grant Stuard
The first four names here are locks to make the team. Grant Stuard was added in free agency, and we have him snagging the final spot.
Anzalone and Campbell are a solid starting duo, and the depth is strong with Barnes and Rodriguez. Detroit will enter 2025 with a stellar group once again.
Cornerbacks (6): Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson, Avonte Maddox, Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
This is a solid group of corners. D.J. Reed was the team’s prized free agent addition this offseason, and he should start alongside Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson.
It will be interesting to see if Ennis Rakestraw Jr. takes a step forward in 2025, when he’ll likely compete for the slot job with Robertson. Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin are veterans with starting experience who should be kept around.
Safeties (4): Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Dan Jackson, Loren Strickland
This is a group that could use a veteran addition for depth. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are an elite duo, and rookie Dan Jackson could easily carve out a role on a thin unit.
There’s no proven option to land the fourth spot, so we’ll give it to Strickland. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a veteran addition at some point.
Specialists (3): P Jack Fox, K Jake Bates, LS Hogan Hatten
This group is probably set, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see some kicking competition added for the summer.
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