With the 2025 NFL Draft behind us, it’s an ideal time to take a look at the Detroit Lions roster and project where the team’s new players fit into the depth chart. During the draft, the Lions acquired seven new draft picks to their roster, and another reported 11 undrafted free agents—though that will put the team at 91 players, meaning one is reported incorrectly or a roster transaction is imminent.

This version of the Lions depth chart lists/ranks all the players on the current roster but also highlights the team’s current projected starters (bolded) and new rookies* (asterisked).

Quarterback (3)

Jared Goff
Hendon Hooker
Kyle Allen

The Lions didn’t acquire a rookie via the draft or the UDFA market, but they will host Eastern Michigan’s Cole Snyder—who was at their local pro day—on a tryout at rookie minicamp.

Running back (6)

Jahmyr Gibbs
David Montgomery
Craig Reynolds
Sione Vaki
Kye Robichaux* — Reported UDFA
Anthony Tyus* — Reported UDFA

With all four of their backs returning from last season, the Lions only reportedly brought in two UDFAs who will help take the load off during camp and could be competing for a spot on the practice squad.

Wide receiver (11)

Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson Williams
Tim Patrick
Kalif Raymond
Isaac TeSlaa* — Third-round pick

Dominic Lovett* — Seventh-round pick

Tom Kennedy
Antoine Green
Ronnie Bell
Jackson Meeks* — Reported UDFA
Jakobie Keeney-James* — Reported UDFA

The Lions spent two draft picks on receivers in TeSlaa and Lovett while also reportedly bringing in two more UDFAs in Meeks and Keeney-James. The Lions gave up three third-round picks to acquire TeSlaa, so he’s almost assuredly sliding into a WR5 role, but Lovett will need to work to earn the WR6 role. At this time, I am projecting him into that role because of his special teams, but Meeks could certainly challenge him—while also being a developmental WR-X option.

Tight end (6)

Sam LaPorta
Brock Wright
Shane Zylstra
Kenny Yeboah
Caden Prieskorn* — Reported UDFA
Zach Horton* — Reported UDFA

With their top three tight ends returning from last year and the addition of Yeboah in free agency, the Lions felt content to stick to the UDFA market to acquire more talent. Prieskorn is an interesting prospect who could challenge for the TE3 role in camp.

Offensive line (17)

Projected starters

LT Taylor Decker
LG Graham Glasgow
C Frank Ragnow
RG Christian Mahogany
RT Penei Sewell

Projected second team

LT Dan Skipper
LG Kayode Awosika
C Michael Niese
RG Tate Ratledge* — Second-round pick
RT/G Colby Sorsdal

Projected third team

LT Giovanni Manu
LG Netane Muti
C Kingsley Eguakun
RG Miles Frazier* — Fifth-round pick
RT Jamarco Jones

Reserves

OT Mason Miller* — Reported UDFA
C Leif Fautanu* — Reported UDFA

Like at receiver, the Lions double-dipped at guard in the draft and added another two UDFA options to provide depth and the opportunity to rotate three offensive lines during practices.

This is how I believe the Lions will open up camp, but my projection for the regular season will likely look different, as I believe Ratledge is a ready-made starter at right guard, putting Mahogany and Glasgow in competition at left guard. I also think Frazier will eventually work his way up to the second line and could get some looks with the first team during camp. I’m also very interested to see if Eguakun can challenge Niese for the backup center role and if Manu has progressed enough to warrant leaving someone else off the roster.

Interior defensive line (9)

The Lions used their first-round pick to acquire Williams, who fills an immediate need at the 3-technique while McNeill rehabilitates, as well as a long-term role at nose tackle alongside McNeill in future seasons. The Lions also have a few edge rushers who can also contribute as situational interior pass rushers, including Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal.

EDGE (10)

EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
EDGE Marcus Davenport
DL Levi Onwuzurike
DL Josh Paschal
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
EDGE Ahmad Hassanein* — Sixth-round pick

EDGE Nate Lynn
EDGE Mitchell Agude
EDGE Isaac Ukwu
EDGE Keith Cooper Jr.* — Reported UDFA

The Lions added depth to their edge rusher room in the sixth round by selecting the passionate Hassanein, who will likely open his rookie in a depth role while competing for snaps with the players above him on the depth chart. UDFA Cooper Jr. will help round out the position group and challenge for a depth or practice squad role.

I put Onwuzurike in this group based on the fact that he played nearly half his 2024 snaps on the edge, but also because of how the draft played out, with a defensive tackle being the team’s first-round pick. Make no mistake, he’ll still get plenty of snaps inside and may even start out camp as the starting 3-technique, but this is where he will likely be most valuable in the Lions scheme.

Linebacker (10)

MIKE Jack Campbell
WILL Alex Anzalone
SAM Derrick Barnes
WILL Malcolm Rodriguez
WILL Grant Stuard
SAM/MIKE Trevor Nowaske
MIKE/SAM Anthony Pittman
WILL Ezekiel Turner
WILL/MIKE Abraham Beauplan
WILL DaRon Gilbert

No additions to the linebacker group, despite only having two under contract beyond this season (Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes), But with 10 linebackers already in the mix, they’ve got plenty of options.

Cornerback (9)

CB Terrion Arnold
CB D.J. Reed
CB/NB Amik Robertson
CB/NB Ennis Rakestraw
NB Avonte Maddox
CB Khalil Dorsey
CB Rock Ya-Sin
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
CB Gavin Holmes* — Reported UDFA

After drafting two corners last offseason and adding another four over the last two free agency cycles, the Lions are only reportedly adding a UDFA competitor in Holmes.

Safety (6)

S/NB Brian Branch
S Kerby Joseph
S Dan Jackson* — Seventh-round pick

S/NB Morice Norris
S/NB Loren Strickland
Erick Hallett
Ian Kennelly* — Reported UDFA

Jackson was selected in the final round of the NFL draft, but he should jump right into the third safety mix during camp. Norris and Strickland were each in that role at different times last season, but Jackson offers a higher ceiling at this time.

Kicking team (3)

P Jack Fox
K Jake Bates
LS Hogan Hatten

By returning all three kicking specialists, the Lions didn’t feel the need to add any competition and used this opportunity to add depth/competition at other key spots.

At-a-glance projected depth chart