- Head Coach: Dan Campbell (fifth season)
- PFF projected win total: 10.1
- 2024 Record: 15-2 (first in NFC North, Lost in NFC divisional round)
Biggest strength: Explosive Offense
The Lions are facing some turnover on offense with a new offensive coordinator and an inexperienced interior offensive line. However, they still possess a top-10 quarterback, the second-ranked running back unit in the NFL, an excellent receiving corps and one of the best tackle duos in the league. Detroit enters 2025 with one of the most talented offenses in the NFL after leading the league in points per game last season.
Biggest weakness: Pass-Rush Depth
Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending injury derailed the Lions’ pass rush last season. Through Week 6, Detroit led the NFL in PFF pass-rush grade as a unit led by Hutchinson, who was pacing the league with a 95.0 PFF pass-rush grade himself. After Hutchinson’s injury, the Lions produced the fourth-worst PFF pass-rush grade in the NFL. Za'Darius Smith, who led the Lions in pressures after Week 6, is no longer with the team, while Levi Onwuzurike will miss this season due to injury. Detroit is quite possibly thinner as a pass-rush unit than it was last year.
Quarterback spotlight: Jared Goff
- 2024 PFF Grade: 78.8
- Key Stat: 85.8 play-action PFF passing grade (7th in NFL)
Goff put together a third consecutive solid season at the helm of the Lions’ offense. He set a career high in yards per attempt (8.5), which was buoyed by an 85.8 play-action PFF passing grade that ranked seventh in the NFL.
There are questions about Goff’s ability to carry Detroit’s offense as the team shifts to a new offensive coordinator and deals with some shuffling on the interior offensive line. However, he has proven time and again that he is at least an above-average starter when given the proper tools.
Offensive player: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown is one of the most consistent performers in the NFL, and arguably the league's best slot receiver. He earned at least a 90.0 PFF receiving grade for the third consecutive season while hauling in a terrific 67.7% of his contested targets. St. Brown was also the only wide receiver in the NFL to rank among the top five qualifiers in yards and PFF receiving grade from the slot.
When Detroit needs a first down, the offense will be looking in St. Brown’s direction.
Defensive player: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson was on his way to a historic season before suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 6. Despite playing in just five games, he logged 45 pressures — tied for the team lead in the regular season. His 95.0 PFF pass-rush grade and 38.3% pass-rush win rate both paced the league by a wide margin. Hutchinson’s return to anything close to that form is one of the biggest keys to success for the Lions this season.
Rookie to watch: OL Tate Ratledge
Second-round pick Tate Ratledge will be thrown into the fire early in his career. There are questions about whether he will play guard or center for Detroit, but his ability to pass protect shouldn’t be doubted. Across his three seasons as Georgia’s right guard, Ratledge allowed just two sacks while earning a terrific 87.9 PFF pass-blocking grade — a top-10 mark in the country.
Fantasy spotlight: WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Williams was a highly talented college player, but an ACL injury and suspension led to a quiet first two seasons in the NFL. Detroit started using Williams more on short and intermediate passes in 2024, allowing him to take advantage of his speed after the catch. By mid-season, he consistently gained at least 8 PPR points per game, making him a reliable fantasy starter. He accomplished this despite Detroit having several other offensive weapons. The Lions have a new offensive coordinator who has always given a lot of praise to Williams, which could further increase his fantasy value this season.
Best bet: WR Jameson Williams to go over 875.5 receiving yards (-114)
Williams profiles as one of the most dangerous deep threats in the game, having generated a 91.9 PFF receiving grade on targets 15 or more yards downfield last season. That ability will be on full display with new offensive coordinator John Morton, who was the Broncos' passing game coordinator last season when their offense posted the 13th-highest deep attempt rate (12.6%).
Bottom line
The Lions are talented enough to compete at the top of the NFC, but they enter 2025 with more questions than in previous seasons. Their lack of depth in the trenches and transition to two new coordinators could cause them some difficulty in a tough division.
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