After the initial weeks of free agency, the Detroit Lions have just one major hole to fill for the 2025 season—improving their second edge rusher spot.
They could also consider adding a right guard following Kevin Zeitler’s departure, but Christian Mahogany could step into that role after showing promise in a few starts last season. With minimal urgent needs, the Lions can use this year’s NFL Draft to plan ahead for potential future gaps.
With a young roster loaded with talent, there aren’t many long-term concerns for Detroit. However, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report identifies one position where the Lions should think ahead—linebacker. Specifically, he believes Detroit should find a successor for Alex Anzalone.
Anzalone has played four seasons in Detroit and has been a key contributor to the defense. Between 2022 and 2023, he recorded 254 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 12 passes defended, and 27 pressures. He also served as a team captain last season but missed a significant portion due to injury. When healthy, he still played 91% of available snaps and totaled 63 tackles in 10 games.
However, he will turn 31 in September, and his contract is set to expire at the end of 2025. This could prompt the Lions to prepare for his possible exit next offseason. Ballentine has identified a couple of potential replacements in this year’s draft.
Ballentine points to Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman and Clemson’s Barrett Carter as viable options. Stutsman was a consensus All-American in 2024 after recording over 100 tackles for the third straight season. Carter, meanwhile, earned First Team All-ACC honors with 82 tackles, including 11 for loss.
Both players have been projected as late second-day or early third-day selections in the draft. That range could make either an ideal choice for Detroit to strengthen the future of their defensive front.