After years of being the laughingstock of the NFL, the Detroit Lions have put together some successful seasons under the leadership of general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.
Holmes has done fantastic work building a roster loaded with talented young players, while Campbell has put together impressive coaching staffs who have gotten the most out of the roster that Holmes gave them.
With the 2025 season just months away, this is the peak time for rankings and discussions about how players stack up with their peers, and Pro Football Focus’ Jonathon Macri recently ranked the top 25 players under 25 years old.
Detroit had five players make the cut in Macri’s ranking with offensive tackle Penei Sewell taking the top spot on the list. Sewell owns the second-best career run-blocking grade (95.2) for any player since 2021.
Safety Brian Branch was ranked No. 8 and was only the second player to be ranked at his position behind Kyle Hamilton (No. 3). Branch has recorded 183 tackles, 29 passes defensed, seven interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 31 career games. He also earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs came in at No. 10 after rushing for 2,357 yards and 26 touchdowns on 5.5 yards per attempt and catching 104 passes for an additional 833 yards and five scores. He’s also made two Pro Bowls in two seasons.
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Tight end Sam LaPorta was just the second tight end on the list at No. 23, ranking behind Brock Bowers (No. 14). LaPorta has been phenomenal in his two seasons, recording 146 receptions for 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns in 33 games and earning both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie season.
Safety Kerby Joseph rounded out the list at No. 25 after earning All-Pro honors in 2024. Through three seasons, he’s appeared in 49 games and recorded 247 tackles, 31 passes defensed, 17 interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovered.
Detroit is closer to a Super Bowl than they’ve been in a long time, but they need to capitalize on this window while they have these talented young players on affordable contracts.
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