Four Lions Who Just Became Way More Important Than You Think
Every offseason, a handful of players go from depth chart afterthoughts to guys the Lions suddenly can’t afford to lose. Maybe it’s injuries, maybe it’s roster turnover, maybe it’s just the way the chess pieces fell. But these four Lions just saw their importance spike in a big way, and if you haven’t been paying attention, you should be now.
DL Myles Adams
The Lions have their interior starters locked in with Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams. They’ve got the intriguing wild card in Levi Onwuzurike if he can actually stay healthy for once. After that? It’s a bunch of rookies and Adams.
The Lions have kept Adams around since the 2024 season, and when he gets his snaps, he’s produced. This is his shot to become a legitimate part of the rotation as a run stuffer with some pass rush upside. Sometimes opportunity is all a guy needs.
RB Sione Vaki
Sure, the Lions signed Isiah Pacheco this offseason. But they’ve made it clear they still see a future with Vaki, and that future is looking bigger than RB3 and special teams duty.
Vaki is likely to get real carries this year. The Lions may also give him a shot at returns. Either way, his role just expanded considerably. This isn’t depth anymore. This is opportunity knocking.
OL Miles Fraizer
One way or another, Fraizer is going to be very important this offseason. He’s either winning the left guard job from Christian Mahogany, losing that battle but becoming premium depth at three different positions, or they’re making him their new tackle project instead of Giovani Manu.
Any of those scenarios makes him a key piece. Versatility matters in this league, especially on the offensive line.
LB Malcolm Rodriguez
Maybe not for the entire season, but don’t be shocked if Rodriguez starts at Will linebacker for the first half while the Lions get fourth-round pick Jimmy Rolder up to speed. On top of that, he’s one of their top special teamers.
This would be a big switch back to how things were during his rookie season. Sometimes what’s old becomes new again, and Rodriguez might be riding that wave right back into a starting role.
Which of these four Lions do you think has the best shot at making a real impact, or are we just setting ourselves up for disappointment again? Drop your take below.
