Which Detroit Lions players needs to elevate their game for the 2025 NFL season?
The Detroit Lions produced a record-breaking season in 2024, and even after coming up short for their ultimate goal, there are far more positives to take out of last season than negatives. Several players—Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Jack Campbell, and Kerby Joseph, to name a few—took their games to a new level and helped Detroit procure back-to-back NFC North championships for the first time in franchise history.
Yet, not every single player lived up to expectations last year. While there were no real major setbacks at any position group, there were players the Lions relied upon who may have disappointed compared to preseason expectations.
So today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Lions player needs to step up in 2025?
My answer: This question is going to eliminate players who are not signed or likely to return in 2025. So while a guy like Marcus Davenport certainly disappointed with an early, season-ending injury, it seems unlikely he’ll return for another shot.
For me, two players come to mind: one on each side of the ball. Graham Glasgow moved to left guard this offseason to accommodate the addition of right guard Kevin Zeitler. Glasgow struggled in his new role—the first time he regularly played that position since 2017. Some struggles are to be expected considering it had been seven seasons, but Glasgow never really seemed to be able to settle in. He allowed near career-highs in pressures (45) and sacks (5.0), and his PFF run blocking grade (60.1) was the worst since his rookie season. Maybe 2025 is the season he cedes his starting job to someone like Christian Mahogany, but it would be nice for Glasgow to return to the level of play he’s capable of. Remember, he finished in the top 20 among all NFL guards in PFF grade in 2023 (74.9).
On the defensive side, I think it’s time for Josh Paschal to play like a second-round pick. Don’t get me wrong: Paschal managed to put most of his injury concerns aside and certainly showed improvement in 2024. But even after playing a career high in snaps and starting 10 games, Paschal finished the season with just 21 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and eight quarterback hits. It was a step in the right direction, but in 2025, he needs to take a much larger step to help this underperforming Detroit Lions defensive line finally reach its potential.
Who else would you like to see step up in 2025? Scroll to the comment section and let us know.
