The Detroit Lions have wrapped up what many consider to be yet another stellar draft under the leadership of GM Brad Holmes. Coupled with a successful free agency period, the Lions are poised to continue their upward trajectory toward Super Bowl contention.
In contrast to past expectations of immediate contributions from draft picks, the Holmes/Campbell regime has shifted focus to building for the long term. Their adeptness at drafting and supplementing with quality free agents has transformed the Lions from a league laughingstock to one of the NFL’s more formidable teams.
Their strategy involves planning beyond the current season, aiming to preempt potential free agent departures by grooming talent internally. This approach allows them to avoid overspending in free agency or sacrificing draft capital to fill immediate needs, instead prioritizing the acquisition of the best available players.
Looking ahead to the 2025 free agent class, many Lions players are expected to re-sign with the team before hitting the open market. Among them are several newcomers to Detroit, whose performances will be closely watched to determine their potential for a second contract. Additionally, players from Holmes’ initial draft class will hit free agency next year. Already securing Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown, the question arises: who else from that inaugural group will the Lions choose to retain? It’s a storyline worth closely following throughout this process.
Here is the list of the 2025 free agents for the Lions.
QB Jared Goff
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the 2024 uniform media day in New Hudson, MI on March 6, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
LT Taylor Decker
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) celebrates Lions’ 21-20 win over Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
CB Carlton Davis
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 18: Carlton Davis III #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after an interception during the first quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
DE Marcus Davenport
Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
G Kevin Zeitler
OWINGS MILLS, MD – JULY 28: Kevin Zeitler #70 of the Baltimore Ravens laughs during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on July 28, 2021 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
DE John Cominsky
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 10: John Cominsky #79 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a sack during the second quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CB Emmanuel Moseley
Oct 9, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (4) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
DT Levi Onwuzurike
Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (91) celebrates a tackle against the New York Giants during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.
CB Khalil Dorsey
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) reacts after a stop against Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Oliver Martin (88) during second half action Saturday, August 19, 2023.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) runs with the ball after a catch against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
CB Kindle Vildor
Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor celebrates a play against the Cowboys during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
K Michael Badgley
Detroit Lions place kicker Michael Badgley (17) attempts a field goal against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.
DT Alim McNeill
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during the 2024 uniform media day in New Hudson, MI on March 7, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
QB Nate Sudfeld
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) makes a pass against New York Giants during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.
S Ifeatu Melifonwu
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) celebrates after he intercepted a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
LS Scott Daly
Oct 2, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) recovers a fumble after a punt against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
T Dan Skipper
Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper (70) celebrates after a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
WR Tre’quan Smith
Oct 20, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith (10) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
RB Craig Reynolds
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 08: Craig Reynolds #13 of the Detroit Lions scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Ford Field on October 08, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
LB Derrick Barnes
Oct 15, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
G Netane Muti
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: Guard Netane Muti #54 of the Las Vegas Raiders leaves the field after the Raiders’ 34-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
CB Craig James
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 12: Craig James #31 of the New York Jets reacts after defeating the Carolina Panthers 27-0 following a preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
WR Daurice Fountain
Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain runs a drill at practice at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.