Discussion: Predicting Which Detroit Lions Player Will Make the Biggest Leap Forward in Performance During the 2025 NFL Season

The Detroit Lions are entering the 2025 NFL season with expectations that haven’t been this high in decades. Following a deep playoff run and a rapidly improving roster under the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, fans and analysts alike are optimistic about the team’s trajectory. While many eyes are rightfully on established stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, and Jared Goff, the conversation around which individual player will make the most significant improvement in 2025 is beginning to take shape. A handful of names emerge as contenders, but only one will ultimately take that next giant leap and become a breakout difference-maker.

First, it’s important to consider what constitutes “improvement.” For a player to stand out as the most improved, it’s not just about accumulating better statistics, but also about their impact on games, consistency, and development in both skillset and leadership. With that lens, several Lions players are positioned for notable progress. These include former high draft picks entering pivotal years, recent acquisitions still adjusting to the system, and young role players ready to step into starting roles.

Jameson Williams is arguably the leading candidate in this discussion. The former Alabama speedster has had a rocky start to his NFL career due to injuries and a suspension, but flashes of his potential have surfaced, particularly in the second half of the 2024 season. Now healthy and with a full offseason to work with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Williams is poised to become a reliable deep threat and a more complete receiver. If he builds chemistry with Goff and shows more route-running nuance, he could turn into the game-breaking talent the Lions hoped for when they drafted him in the first round. His progress could take pressure off St. Brown and open up the offense in new ways.

Another name that should be included in this conversation is Jack Campbell, the second-year linebacker from Iowa. Campbell showed steady growth during his rookie season but was often part of a rotation and didn’t consistently flash the dominance he showed in college. Now, with a full year of experience and a clearer role in Aaron Glenn’s defense, Campbell could anchor the middle of the Lions’ unit and become a tackling machine. His instincts, physicality, and leadership are highly valued in Detroit’s culture. If he becomes more confident in coverage and improves his blitz timing, his leap could be among the most visible on the defense.

On the defensive line, Josh Paschal is another player flying under the radar. While overshadowed by Hutchinson, Paschal has steadily improved as a rotational edge defender and interior pass rusher. If he stays healthy and gains more reps, 2025 could be the year he puts it all together. His versatility and strength fit perfectly in the Lions’ hybrid fronts, and an uptick in sacks and tackles for loss would not only mark individual growth but help elevate the overall performance of the defensive unit.

Let’s not forget about Brian Branch. The former Alabama defensive back made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2023 but dealt with some inconsistency in 2024. With another year of development and increased versatility in the Lions’ secondary, Branch is a candidate to become a star. He has the instincts, range, and physicality to play multiple roles—slot corner, safety, and hybrid nickel. If the Lions’ secondary improves around him, Branch could be freed up to make more splash plays. He’s shown a knack for timely tackles and big hits, but 2025 could be the year he adds more interceptions and game-changing moments to his resume.

Of course, improvement isn’t limited to younger players. Sometimes veterans find new life under evolving schemes or through offseason rededication. One example is cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. After dealing with injuries in 2024, Moseley is reportedly on track for a full return. His veteran presence and potential to lock down one side of the field would drastically improve Detroit’s pass defense. If he stays healthy and regains his San Francisco form, he could quietly become a key cog in the Lions’ push for elite defensive status.

On the offensive side, tight end Sam LaPorta doesn’t immediately come to mind in a “most improved” discussion, simply because he was already so productive. However, there’s still room for him to evolve into one of the league’s top-tier tight ends. His chemistry with Goff is strong, and he has a rare ability to run after the catch. If he continues to sharpen his route tree and becomes even more effective as a blocker, LaPorta could be unstoppable. Improvement for LaPorta might not be measured in raw numbers but in how opposing defenses have to adjust to account for him.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, like LaPorta, had an eye-opening rookie year, but there’s still more he can do. In 2025, expect the Lions to use him in even more creative ways—motioning him out wide, using him in the screen game, and perhaps giving him more goal-line opportunities. Gibbs’ improvement might come in the form of durability and patience as a runner, traits that often take a couple of seasons to develop in young backs. If he adds more between-the-tackles toughness to his game, he could become one of the most complete backs in the league.

One under-the-radar offensive lineman who deserves mention is Colby Sorsdal. After getting spot duty in 2024, Sorsdal is now in line for a bigger role depending on injuries and depth chart movements. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley has spoken highly of his work ethic and technique. If Sorsdal becomes a dependable swing tackle or even pushes for a starting guard job, it would represent a huge development in terms of roster flexibility and injury insurance. Offensive line improvement rarely gets headlines, but it often tells the story behind an offense’s success or failure.

Returning to defense, safety Kerby Joseph is another strong candidate. Known for his ball-hawking skills and athleticism, Joseph could evolve into a top-tier NFL free safety with more consistency. His ability to read quarterbacks and make plays in deep coverage is already evident, but he needs to eliminate missed tackles and lapses in positioning. A big jump in 2025 would vault him into Pro Bowl consideration and give the Lions a reliable anchor in the back end of the secondary.

So, who ultimately emerges as the Detroit Lions’ most improved player in 2025? While there are compelling cases across the roster, the best bet is Jameson Williams. The context of his early career—high expectations, injury setbacks, and minimal impact—sets the stage for a breakout year that could change the complexion of Detroit’s offense. He’s healthy, focused, and motivated, and the Lions are ready to unleash him. If he can refine the technical aspects of his game and earn Goff’s trust on critical downs, he has the speed and explosiveness to tilt the field every time he touches the ball.

This leap wouldn’t just be beneficial for Williams—it would make life easier for everyone else. Defenses that shift coverages toward him will give St. Brown more room to operate. Running lanes for Gibbs and David Montgomery could open wider. The offensive line might face fewer exotic blitz looks. In other words, Williams’ development would have a cascading effect on the entire unit.

The 2025 season promises to be another landmark chapter in Detroit Lions football. With a talented, young roster and a coaching staff that knows how to develop players, improvement will be a team-wide theme. But when the dust settles and fans look back at the season, it may well be the emergence of Jameson Williams as a bona fide star that defines the year’s biggest leap forward.