The Detroit Lions are entering the 2025 NFL season with high expectations and one of the deepest rosters in the league. But depth comes with a price—tough cuts. With a harder schedule and two new coordinators, the Lions’ margin for error is razor thin, and not everyone will make it past training camp.
Brad Holmes has done an excellent job drafting talent over the years, but with so many capable players, Detroit is now in the tough spot of having to let some go—even before the real competition begins. Training camp is just around the corner, and some players may not even get a shot to prove themselves.
Here are three players who could be on the outside looking in after mandatory minicamp:
1. Ronnie Bell, WR
Bell has put in the work this offseason, but the numbers just aren’t on his side. With Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, and rookie Isaac TeSlaa essentially locked in, and Kalif Raymond’s special teams value likely securing him a spot, that leaves little room for Bell. He’ll be in a tough camp battle with Tom Kennedy, Malik Taylor, Jackson Meeks, and Dominic Lovett—who was also a 2025 draft pick. Bell joined the practice squad in January, but it’s unclear if he’ll stick around much longer.
2. DaRon Gilbert, LB
The Lions are loaded at linebacker—10 deep heading into training camp. Starters Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, and Derrick Barnes are locked in. Behind them, guys like Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, and Anthony Pittman offer depth and special teams value. Gilbert is near the bottom of the depth chart, facing stiff competition from more experienced names like Zach Cunningham, Grant Stuard, and Ezekiel Turner. Unless injuries strike, Gilbert’s time in Detroit may be short-lived.
3. Brodric Martin, DT
This one stings. Martin was a third-round pick just two years ago, but the investment hasn’t paid off. He’s barely seen the field, recording just four total tackles in five games. With Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader entrenched as starters, and new additions like Roy Lopez and first-round pick Tyleik Williams entering the mix, Martin is quickly becoming the odd man out. Even second-year lineman Mekhi Wingo has likely jumped ahead of him on the depth chart. Martin could hang on for training camp, but it’s hard to argue the experiment has worked.
These 3 Lions Could Be Cut Before Training Camp Even Starts
