Lions News: Detroit plummets in ESPN’s under-25 rankings

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 04: Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on December 4, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For years, the Detroit Lions have been hailed as one of the teams with the most young and promising talent. After years of great drafts from general manager Brad Holmes, Detroit not only had blue-chip players, but blue-chip players that would be in Detroit for years and years to come. But is that era coming to an end?

Aaron Schatz of ESPN ranked NFL teams by the amount of talent they had that is under 25 years old. After placing sixth in the rankings last year, the Lions fell all the way to 23rd. Per Schatz, the Lions only have a single blue-chip player under 25 years old: running back Jahmyr Gibbs. But he does mention some players who could take a big step toward being key fixtures in Detroit.

Wide receiverIsaac TeSlaais also 24, whileBlake Miller, a first-round rookie tackle, is 22," Schatz wrote. On defense, safety/nickelbackBrian Branchwill likely be back on the field after recovering froman Achilles tearwhen he turns 25 in October. Last year's first-round pick, defensive tackleTyleik Williams, is still 23. CornerbackEnnis Rakestraw Jr., who has battled injuries, is 24, while second-round rookie edge rusherDerrick Mooreis 23."

Of course, it's worth noting that 25 years old is a pretty arbitrary cut-off, and it specifically hurts the Lions this year. That's because Penei Sewell, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, Aidan Hutchinson Jack Campbell, and Kerby Joseph are all currently 25 years old. All of those players have the opportunity to play in Detroit for a long time and still have plenty of time left in their prime.

At the same time, it does feel like this is a strike against the Lions' two most recent draft classes. In 2024, the misses on Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, and Giovanni Manu are starting to hurt. It's far too early to judge the 2025 draft class, but if Tyleik Williams, Tate Ratledge, and Isaac TeSlaa don't take Year 2 jumps, it could leave the Lions in a tough spot. Young, cheap talent is critical to offset Detroit's aging and expensive core players.

At this point, I wouldn't put too much stock into this ranking given how much 25-year-old talent Detroit has. However, if they continue to plummet in these rankings in the years to come, there will be some serious questions to answer.

• Our Feed Post of the Day comes from West.of.Woodward who makes a compelling argument that Detroit's investment in pass protection could help out the rushing offense:

• Great profile on Lions offensive assistant coach Marques Tuiasosopo here from Detroit Football network, including some background on how he helps Jared Goff prepare each week. [Also, happy anniversary to Justin Rogers, as he enters Year 3 of his independent venture]

• Cody Alexander is a great follow on Twitter. Here are two nice breakdowns of Detroit's defense from last year and a reminder of a few good things Kelvin Sheppard cooked up last year:

Great illustration of "Hot" coverage by the Lions vs. the Commanders.

Detroit uses a 6-man pressure with "Eyes" coverage by both the off-ball LBs.

More NFL teams are using this zone coverage instead of the typical man-free.

Learn more about Hot Coverage at MatchQuarters:... pic.twitter.com/IaYEJRiZVY

- Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) July 22, 2026

Detroit finished 6th in 6+ blitz pressures in '25.

Against the Commanders, we see a traditional Odd Front Cross-Dog path with the Ni added in as the 6th man.

The Odd Mug alignment hides the wrap from the LB opposite the RB.

In fact, as he scans for pressure, he works back to... pic.twitter.com/16NxuV4nWi

- Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) July 21, 2026

• Colton Pouncy of The Athletic has 6 (or 10?) Lions players with the most to gain/lose this training camp.

• Here's a rare clip of a crew of ESPN talking heads being optimistic about the Lions:

[The Lions] have proven that they're one of these teams you can't count out, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt."

The Get Up crew reacts to the Detroit Lions potentially being the best team in the NFC pic.twitter.com/m0z1apxZUd

- Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 21, 2026

• A fun look at the' 20 biggest trades in the last 30 years in all Detroit sports, from Detroit News' John Niyo. Spoiler: the Matthew Stafford/Jared Goff trade is No. 1. Only one other Lions trade makes the list. Can you guess it?