LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025/2026

[Karnage84]

The 2024 draft is now in the books. The Lions scouting department under Brad Holmes is going to be starting their advanced scouting process for the 2025 and 2026 drafts. 

This is a look at the anticipated depth chart in 2024 and who should still be on the roster this time next year

OFFENSE

QB: Goff, Hooker, Sudfeld

RB: Montgomery, Gibbs, Vaki, Reynolds, 

XWR: Peoples-Jones, Green

SWR: St. Brown, Raymond, I. Williams

YWR: J. Williams, 

TE: LaPorta, Wright, Mitchell

LT: Decker, Skipper

LG: Glasgow, Mahogany, Awosika

OC: Ragnow, [TBD]

RG: Zeitler, Manu

RT: Sewell, Sorsdal

OVERVIEW

• Goff: Likely to get an extension. Not concerned about him not being here.
• Sufeld: Lions must like him for what he offers to the QB room in preparation week-to-week as opposed to what he can offer on the field. 
• DPJ: Not even a lock for 2024; could be in line for an extension if he balls out. 
• Raymond (2026): Raymond is under contract for 2025 but he's likely a question mark beyond 2024. Isaiah Williams (if he can make this roster or PS) is a potential candidate as WR4
• Decker: He could be in line for an extension. He's not the long-term option at LT no matter what. Sewell could slide in here.
• Skipper: Lions could be looking to add an OT3 in 2025 to replace Skipper and a future proof plan for when Decker leaves
• Ragnow: Frank is under contract but there was already enough smoke about him potentially retiring this year. With injuries piling up, he's a major question mark. Lions don't have the depth on the roster for a long-term replacement
• Zeitler: He could be a year-to-year option. I could see him coming back (assuming 2024 goes well) on another 1 year contract. Manu is going to need some time to develop but he has the physical tools
• Awosika: He's not bad as a depth player that has been in a starting role with Jackson's injury. 

2025 TEAM NEEDS: XWR, OT, OC

[Karnage84]

DEFENSE

SDE - Cominsky, Paschal

NT - Reader, Martin

DT - McNeill, Onwuzurike, Wingo

WDE - Hutchinson

RUSH - Davenport, Houston

WLB - Anzalone, JRM, Rodriguez

MLB - Barnes, Campbell

LCB - Davis, Moseley

SCB - Branch, Rakestraw

RCB - Arnold, Robertson

SS - Melifonwu, Vaki

FS - K.Joseph, B. Joseph

 

Cominsky: The Lions negotiated a pay cut with Cominsky this past off-season. He's nearly 30 years old. According to reports, the Lions were targeting Darius Robinson if Terrion Arnold was already taken. There's a lot of smoke around the Lions drafting another person opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Instead of another stand-up rusher, they're likely looking to add juice to the 5T/SDE role. Paschal hasn't developed into that guy and has dealt with injuries. 

McNeill: I don't see a scenario where he isn't re-signed as a foundational piece. He should be the Lions next target after re-signing Goff.

Onwuzurike: I'd be surprised if he's on the roster by mid-September let alone in 2025. The Lions have a preference for big bodies 315-330+ lbs but also like to have smaller guys that can still hold up against the run but offer up more juice in the pass-rush on passing downs. 

Barnes: This is a player that I think is the first one where the rubber of the"you can't re-sign everybody" concept hits the road. Reportedly the Lions were doing work on LB's this draft cycle. They spent a 1st on Campbell. The only way that I see Barnes coming back is if Anzalone goes. 

Davis: The Lions used a 3rd in order to trade for Davis. He's potentially due a big contract in 2025. Davis feels like a potential mid-season trade candidate. Gameplan was likely to add as much talent as possible and allow them to take BPA without leaving a huge gap in any position. With the addition of Arnold and Rakestraw, the Lions arguably replaced/upgraded on the loss of Sutton and added another piece on top of that. The DB room is now one of the stronger and deeper positions on the roster. They could also view a deep playoff run and potential SB win as being worth losing a 3rd. 

Melifonwu: I feel like he'll be re-signed to a deal that works on both sides. However, we've also seen the Lions just renovate whole position groups in a single off-season. With question marks about Kerby and Iffy being in line for a contract extension, the Lions could target this group and we could see 2-3 new players via FA and the draft in 2025. 

TEAM NEEDS

SDE, 3T, ILB, CB, SS, FS

 

Edited May 3 by Karnage84
Moved to other thread

[Karnage84]

2025 WAY TOO EARLY MOCK

R1 Landon Jackson, SDE, Arkansas: Jackson has the size, length and explosiveness to be an effective weapon opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. If Arnold wasn't there, Darius Robinson was going to be the pick. The Lions address this in the next draft.

R2 CJ Daniels, WR, LSU: Liberty transfer that offers good size at 6'2, 200 lbs (probably will be around 195 vs listed weight). 1,000+ yard receiver at Liberty. 

R4 Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State: Good size at 6'2, 210 lbs. Decent ball skills and a hard hitter. Potential nickel/SS. Flexibility on allowing the Lions to sort out the safety room between Kerby and Iffy. 

R5 Thor Griffith, DT, Louisville: A 6'2 320 lb DT that can run a 4.95, benched 225 45 times. 33.5 career TFL's Transfer from Harvard to Louisville. 

R6 Jasheen Davis, EDGE, Wake Forest: A 6'3, 259 lb edge. 44 pressures including 5 QB hits and 7 sacks. A rotational edge to come in and replace Davenport

R7 John Campbell Jr, OT, Tennessee: A 6'5, 330 lb OL. Played 5 years at Miami. Played LT for the Hurricanes (25 starts, 1 at RT, 1 at LG). Will be playing RT in 2024. Older prospect (nearly 25 on draft day). Experienced player that can play along the line. Gives flexibility in the development of Manu who may be better off kicked inside. 

R7 Mason Taylor, TE, LSU: A 6'6, 253 lb balanced TE. Son of Jason Taylor. LaPorta is the dude but Taylor can be an upside TE2

 

Edited May 3 by Karnage84