By Blessing 
Khalil Dorsey: The Under-the-Radar Re-Signing Who Could Pay Off Big for the Lions in 2025
This offseason, the Detroit Lions made it a priority to shore up their depth—especially on defense—after injuries derailed parts of their 2024 campaign. One key move that might’ve flown under the radar was bringing back versatile cornerback Khalil Dorsey on a two-year, $3.3 million deal.
While bigger signings like D.J. Reed and Avonte Maddox grabbed headlines—brought in to replace departing veterans Carlton Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu—Dorsey’s return could end up being just as valuable. Though mostly known for his special teams work, Dorsey may find himself stepping into a larger defensive role in 2025.
Detroit already had a plan to replace Kindle Vildor, who left in free agency. The solution? Keep it in-house with Dorsey, who has quietly become one of the team’s most reliable special teams players. But this season, he might be asked to do even more.
With training camp approaching, the battle for the CB3 spot is wide open. Rookie Ennis Rakestraw Jr.—Detroit’s second-round pick from 2024—is expected to bounce back after an injury-plagued year. But the job isn’t guaranteed. Dorsey will have every chance to prove himself worthy of more defensive snaps.
In 2024, Dorsey saw limited action on defense but still managed to log 14 combined tackles, two pass breakups, and one tackle for loss across 14 games (with one start). In coverage, he held quarterbacks to a 54.5% completion rate and allowed a 99.6 passer rating when targeted—not elite numbers, but respectable for his role.
What really sets Dorsey apart is his versatility. On special teams, he even got a few chances to return kicks, averaging an impressive 39.8 yards per return on four attempts. That’s a massive jump from his 2023 average of 20.3 yards on 12 returns.
Unfortunately, Dorsey’s 2024 season was cut short in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills after he suffered a fractured fibula and tibia. The recovery process has been ongoing, and according to head coach Dan Campbell, he was either limited or not participating in OTAs as of May. Still, Campbell’s comments suggest the team is hopeful he’ll be ready when training camp begins.
Whether Dorsey earns the CB3 role or remains a special teams ace, he gives the Lions valuable depth and experience. He’s been with Detroit since 2022, knows the system, and offers a level of dependability that’s hard to find.
If injuries start piling up again, like they did last season, the Lions won’t have to look far for a trustworthy fill-in. And even if he doesn’t crack the starting lineup, Dorsey’s impact on special teams and locker room leadership could quietly make him one of the team’s smartest re-signings of the offseason.