6 Detroit Lions Players Facing Tough Battles After the 2025 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft gives teams a chance to bring in new talent, pushing them closer to a Super Bowl dream. While it’s an exciting time for rookies entering the league, it can create uncertainty for veterans trying to maintain their roster spots.

Training camp and the preseason will be crucial for evaluating the depth chart, and for some players, the difference between being a contributor and being cut could come quickly. After the 2025 NFL Draft, which Lions players find themselves on shaky ground?

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Brodric Martin, DT
At this point, discussing Brodric Martin’s roster outlook feels repetitive, but he remains one of the players under the most pressure heading into training camp.

Martin’s chances of making the team have taken a major hit this offseason. The Lions signed veteran nose tackle Roy Lopez to a one-year, $4.65 million deal and drafted Tyleik Williams 28th overall. Typically, teams keep only one or two nose tackles, but Detroit now has six players who could fill that spot: Martin, Lopez, Williams, DJ Reader, Alim McNeill, and Pat O’Connor. Even if McNeill starts the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, Martin is still well behind Reader, Lopez, and Williams. For him to survive final cuts, he would need an outstanding camp and preseason. With Levi Onwuzurike likely sticking around, Martin’s only realistic paths to the roster are either beating out Mekhi Wingo (who’s recovering from a season-ending injury) or convincing the team to carry an extra defensive tackle.

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Kingsley Eguakun and Michael Niese, G/C
On paper, the Lions not drafting a center might seem like good news for Kingsley Eguakun and Michael Niese. But selecting interior linemen Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier actually makes the situation tougher. Combined with offensive tackle Giovanni Manu’s likely roster spot, there’s now even less room for backup linemen.

Niese was on the roster last year but faces a much murkier path this season. Eguakun showed flashes during last year’s camp but must take a big leap to stick around. Plus, veterans like Graham Glasgow have experience snapping the ball, and rookies Ratledge and Frazier might get trained at center too. Given that Detroit has multiple options if starter Frank Ragnow goes down, the odds of keeping a third or fourth-string center seem slim. Eguakun and Niese will have to seriously impress to stay.

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Colby Sorsdal, OT
Similarly, while the Lions didn’t select an offensive tackle this draft—which could show confidence in Manu—it doesn’t necessarily help Colby Sorsdal.

Originally drafted as a guard, Sorsdal moved back to tackle in 2024 but spent most of the season inactive. While still a developmental project, the Lions have limited space for long-term projects, and Manu, Ratledge, and Frazier are all newer, possibly higher-upside prospects. Frazier, in particular, has college tackle experience.

Detroit values offensive line experience, and it’s hard to see Sorsdal beating out veterans like Dan Skipper or Jamarco Jones. His best (and maybe only) chance is winning the competition for the third tackle spot—an uphill climb.

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Christian Mahogany, OG
Continuing with the offensive line battles, Christian Mahogany finds himself in a fierce competition—not just to make the team but for a starting job.

The Lions have two starting guard spots up for grabs: right guard (vacated by Kevin Zeitler’s departure) and left guard (after an inconsistent season from Graham Glasgow). Mahogany, a sixth-round pick in 2024, started slow last year due to mononucleosis but flashed impressive play late, including a standout playoff performance.

Despite those strong games, Mahogany’s starting spot isn’t guaranteed. The Lions’ staff will make him earn it, competing against Glasgow, Ratledge, and possibly Frazier. Long-term, the plan may be for Mahogany and Ratledge to be the starters, but for now, Mahogany still has plenty to prove. Fans should temper expectations and let him earn his place.

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Dominic Lovett, WR
It might seem odd to include a seventh-round rookie here, but Dominic Lovett faces a tough path to the 53-man roster.

Lovett, the second wideout drafted by Detroit this year, must not only outshine others but also justify the team keeping six receivers. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, and rookie Isaac TeSlaa are all ahead of him.

Lovett’s advantages are his slot receiver skills—something the roster lacks beyond St. Brown—and his special teams potential. He has experience as a gunner, a role with an opening after Kindle Vildor’s departure. Although he doesn’t have return experience, his 4.40 speed could prompt some experimentation during camp.

Historically, all draft picks under GM Brad Holmes have made the initial 53-man roster (except those injured), so there’s added pressure for Lovett to perform. But if he doesn’t earn it, the Lions won’t hesitate to make cuts, as last year’s camp showed.