19. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez

2025 stats: 7 games, 12 tackles (9 solo), 1 TFL

Twentyman: Rodriguez returned in November from a torn ACL suffered last season and ended up playing in seven games with one start. He’s been a core special teamer and key reserve at linebacker his first four seasons in Detroit.

2025 stats: 12 games, 0 sacks allowed, 1 penalty

Twentyman: Skipper has spent most of his eight seasons in the NFL in Detroit as a swing and reserve tackle making 16 starts over the last four seasons. He’s become a cult hero to Lions fans. He said after Sunday’s win over the Bears he was contemplating retirement this offseason.

21. Linebacker Grant Stuard

2025 stats: 17 games, 19 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL

Twentyman: Stuard was brought in to be a special teams ace and finished the season leading Detroit with 13 special teams tackles on the year.

2025 stats: 12 games, 23 tackles (10 solo), 1 TFL, 1 PD

Twentyman: Thomas ended up making two starts at safety as Detroit was decimated by injury there. Thomas is a solid reserve having carved out a six-year career in Jacksonville and Detroit with 83 games under his belt (six starts).

23. Linebacker Ezekiel Turner

Twentyman: After playing in nine games as a reserve in 2024, Turner left Detroit’s preseason finale in 2025 with an achilles injury that landed him on injured reserve before the 2025 season began.

24. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin

2025 stats: 17 games, 47 tackles (27 solo), 2 QBH, 9 PD

Twentyman: Ya-Sin turned out to be a critical offseason signing by GM Brad Holmes as he played a big role in Detroit’s secondary all season making six starts. Opponents completed just 51 percent of the passes thrown his way (25-for-49) with a 74.5 rating and just one touchdown allowed. He was one of Detroit’s most consistent players in the secondary.

25. Tight end Shane Zylstra

2025 stats: 6 games, 3 rec., 20 yds

Twentyman: Zylstra made the team out of training camp as the No. 3 tight end but suffered an ankle injury Week 2 that landed him on IR. He returned in December to play a role after Detroit lost tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright due to injury.