The Lions Nobody’s Talking About
The Lions roster is sitting pretty close to 90 players right now, which means there are a lot of guys flying under the radar while everyone obsesses over the shiny new toys from the draft and free agency. Some players who have been grinding in Allen Park for months are getting lost in the shuffle, pushed down depth charts by fresh faces and forgotten by fans who are still trying to figure out how to spell half the rookie names.
So let’s talk about the guys who deserve more attention than they’re getting.
The Case for Dan Jackson
Safety Dan Jackson might be buried deep on the current depth chart, but don’t sleep on this kid. The 2025 seventh-round pick lost his entire rookie season to injury, which means he’s basically a fresh slate heading into this season. Yeah, the Lions added Chuck Clark and Christian Izien this offseason, and that competition could absolutely push Jackson right off the roster.
But here’s the thing about seventh-round picks who stick around. They usually have a reason.
Jackson brings a strong special teams profile, and if the Lions are dealing with any availability issues with Brian Branch or Kerby Joseph to start the year, suddenly that depth becomes a lot more valuable. This franchise has learned the hard way what happens when you don’t have enough bodies in the secondary.
Don’t Write Off Levi Onwuzurike Yet
Then there’s defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, who I think people are way too quick to dismiss. Look, the skepticism is fair. The guy missed all of last season with a torn ACL, sat out all of 2022 with a back injury, and only managed 10 games in 2023. That’s not exactly the injury history you want to see from a former second-round pick.
But when Onwuzurike has been healthy, he’s been effective. And the Lions need someone who can step up inside. Onwuzurike has the versatility to play essentially every role on the defensive line, which makes him valuable even if he’s not a star.
The question isn’t whether he can play. It’s whether he can stay on the field. If he can manage that, he could have a much bigger role than anyone’s expecting right now.
The Depth That Matters
These aren’t the only guys getting overlooked. When you’re carrying 90 players and adding UDFAs and veteran signings throughout the offseason, there are bound to be contributors hiding in plain sight. Some of them will emerge during camp and preseason. Others will make their mark when injuries inevitably hit.
The Lions have learned that depth matters, especially when you’re trying to make a playoff push. Sometimes the difference between a deep run and an early exit comes down to whether your sixth safety or your fourth defensive tackle can step up when called upon.
Which Lion do you think is getting completely overlooked right now? Are we sleeping on someone who’s about to have a breakout year, or is there a veteran grinding away who deserves more respect? Drop your take below.
