Breaking down how the Detroit Lions are utilizing their cap space for their 2025 defensive players.
On Monday, we looked at the Detroit Lions’ positional spending on offense. It came as little surprise that the Lions were spending a lot on offense—particularly at the running back and offensive line positions.
Now it’s time to look at the defense. Detroit has been criticized both locally and nationally for not addressing this side of the ball enough—particularly in the trenches. Let’s see how true that is by looking at Over The Cap’s current listings for positional spending broken down by team.
Note: Not all contracts have been filed by OTC yet, as the details trickle in. If a Lions contract has not been filed yet, I’ll make note of it.
Defense: $96,851,198— 25th in NFL
On the surface, an argument could be made that the Lions aren’t spending enough resources on their defense. And while that may not be completely wrong, I think it’s also a poor read on the situation. Remember that the Lions finished the 2024 season with the youngest starting defense in football. Detroit has spent a ton of draft resources on defense, and their young core is almost all exclusively on rookie deals (Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph). Soon, many of those players will get extensions, and Detroit’s cap space spending on this side of the ball will fall closer to average. Still, it does seem like Detroit would be wise to spend a little more here.
Interior defensive line: $30.3 million — 11th
Contract not filed yet: Pat O’Connor
Both DJ Reader ($12.9 million) and Alim McNeill ($6.1 million) are among Detroit’s top 13 cap hits for the year, as Detroit has clearly invested a lot of resources in stopping the run. Even backup nose tackle Roy Lopez’s cap hit of $3.64 million is unusually high for the position.
That said, it does feel like the Lions are getting Levi Onwuzurike for a relative bargain at a $4.2 million cap hit this year.
Edge defenders: $19.3 million — 25th
Contract not filed yet: Al-Quadin Muhammad
It will not be a surprise to most that the Lions are not spending big on edge defenders at this time. When Hutchinson eventually gets extended, the Lions will obviously see their investment in this position rise. However, as it stands, the Lions are not only getting Hutchinson on an extreme bargain ($11.4 million), but they are basically spending nothing on their depth:
- Josh Paschal: $2.5 million
- Marcus Davenport: $1.75 million
- Myles Adams: $1.1 million
- Mitchell Agude: $960,000
- Isaac Ukwu: $840,000
- Nate Lynn: $475,000
Linebackers: $21.5 million — 10th
On the other hand, Detroit has spared no expense on the linebacker position. They’ve invested in the position in multiple ways: via draft, contract extension, and free agency. And while they rank 10th in spending at the position, they don’t appear to be overspending on any one particular player. Derrick Barnes is currently the highest-paid player at $8 million a year average, and that ranks just 22nd in the NFL despite it being a contract signed this offseason. Alex Anzalone has the highest 2025 cap hit on the team at $7.3 million, and that is 20th in the league.
In short, the Lions clearly value their depth at this position, but it doesn’t feel like they’re overspending on one particular player.
Cornerbacks: $18.6 million — 23rd
Contracts not filed yet: Rock Ya-Sin, Avonte Maddox, and Khalil Dorsey
Detroit’s low investment here is more of a reflection of the bargains they currently have on the roster. With two of their top four corners on rookie deals (Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw) and a third on a very affordable depth contract (Amik Robertson: two years, $9.5 million), Detroit is spending wisely. Their overall cap hit is also looking good this year because it’s the cheapest year on D.J. Reed’s three-year, $48 million contract. Next year, his cap hit jumps from $4.7 million to $18.0 million—which pushes Detroit’s 2026 spending on the position to 15th at the moment.
Safeties: $7.0 million — 29th
Much like tight ends on offense, the Lions are getting their best bang for their buck at safety. The Lions arguably have two All-Pro players in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, and both are currently playing on rookie deals—and both were Day 2 picks. With Joseph entering the final year of his rookie contract and Branch halfway there, Detroit’s cap investment in the position is soon to skyrocket, but for now, this is the way Detroit is saving money.
What’s interesting, though, is that Detroit opted not to invest in primary backup Ifeatu Melifonwu, who signed a very modest one-year, $3 million contract with the Dolphins (though he is also slated for a starting role). The Lions could still use depth at this position, so don’t be surprised to see this number jump a bit before the start of the season.
