It happens every year. Players who have kind of been under the radar for a while suddenly find themselves in an important role that the Detroit Lions must have moving forward. We’ll likely get our best look at who these guys are during training camp, but now is a good time to predict who those guys are. Let’s jump into it.

DL Myles Adams

The Lions have their starters on the interior in Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams, and they have the very intriguing option of Levi Onwuzurike, provided he can stay healthy. Outside of that, there’s a bunch of rookies and Adams. The Lions have kept him around since the 2024 season, and when he gets in, he’s played well. Here is his chance to be a big part of the rotation as a run stuffer with some pass rush juice.

RB Sione Vaki

The Lions signed Isiah Pacheco this offseason, but it’s been made clear that they still very much see a future with Vaki. That future is likely much bigger than RB3 and special teams ace. Vaki is very likely to get his shots at running the ball this year, and the Lions may also look to give him a shot at returns. Either way, Vaki just got more important.

OL Miles Fraizer

One way or another, Fraizer is going to be very important this offseason. He’s either going to win the left guard job from Christian Mahogany, lose the job and be the premium depth player at three different positions, or they’ll make him their new tackle project instead of Giovani Manu.

LB Malcolm Rodriguez

Maybe not for the entirety of the season, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see Rodriguez starting in that Will linebacker start for the front half of the season while the Lions get fourth-round pick Jimmy Rolder situated. On top of that, he’s one of their top special teamers. This would be a big switch back to how things were for him in his rookie season.

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