A new-look Detroit Lions for 2025.
With the 2024 season in the rear-view mirror, the franchise fell short of expectations with a shock defeat to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round.
So, it begs one question.
Is the Detroit Lions’ Super Bowl window still open?
To put it simply, yes.
Dan Campbell’s roster possesses far too much star power for their ambitions to run dry in 2025.
And with their seven shiny new toys all ready to suit up in Honolulu blue, Campbell and co. will be eager to kickstart Detroit’s return to the playoffs.
But first, who are these exciting young prospects, and what do their talents bring to an already star-studded roster?
A year of trench transition
Detroit exited Green Bay with seven rookies, four of those being either offensive or defensive linemen.
To begin, they added a dominant space-eater to their defensive line in Tyleik Williams at pick 28.
The 6’3″, 334lbs D-tackle will be a key accessory to the Lions’ run defense next year, helping to clog rushing lanes at the line of scrimmage in early down situations.
Guard Tate Ratledge was acquired with the 57th pick in round two and will jump straight into a starting role.
The free agency loss of guard Kevin Zietler to the Tennessee Titans made the interior line a real area of concern for the franchise.
And with the shock retirement of centre Frank Ragnow in June, the expectation of Ratledge’s impact on their starting five will have only risen. The 24-year-old already has starting experience at both positions in the SEC with Georgia.
On day three, the Lions sought to bolster the depth at these positions, with guard Miles Frazier and defensive end Ahmed Hassanein. The two are expected to take backseat roles over the year as they develop.
Jared Goff’s electric new deep threat
Although already possessing one of the league’s best receiving tandems in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, Campbell felt the need to acquire an extra weapon to ease the pressure off his dynamic duo heading into 2025.
From Arkansas, 23-year-old Isaac TeSlaa could be the real deal.
In 2024, he made just 28 receptions for 546 yards, that is 19.5 yards a catch, a true deep ball magnet.
Even if Williams already provides that quality with his top-end speed, TeSlaa – being a super fluid route runner – can pull corners and backers out of their coverage to give St. Brown and Williams that extra space down the field to produce.
As an acquisition to deepen the complexity of their playbook, it makes total sense.
If TeSlaa can match his yards per catch average from last season, then Detroit could take top spot for the best offense in the NFL and be more threatening as a franchise that can go deep in the playoffs.
