Which Detroit Lions Have the Most to Prove in 2025? Five Key Players Under the Spotlight

As the Detroit Lions head into the 2025 NFL season with momentum and rising expectations, the pressure is officially on. After years of being considered an afterthought in the NFC, Detroit has turned heads with its gritty play, young talent, and a culture shift under head coach Dan Campbell. The team is no longer just trying to be competitive—they’re aiming to win the NFC North and make a deep playoff run. But to get there, several key players will need to step up in a big way.

While the core of the team is solid, and guys like Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell have cemented their roles, there are others on this roster with much more to prove. Whether it’s living up to expectations, coming back from injury, or securing a long-term spot on the roster, these five Detroit Lions will enter the 2025 season with a spotlight on them.

1. Jameson Williams – WR

Few players in Detroit’s recent history have generated more hype without yet fully delivering than Jameson Williams. Drafted 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams was brought in to be a game-breaking deep threat—someone who could stretch defenses and become a nightmare for opposing secondaries. Unfortunately, his career has been a rollercoaster thus far.

A torn ACL delayed his debut in his rookie year, and when he returned, the results were sporadic. The 2023 and 2024 seasons offered glimpses of his potential—big plays, jaw-dropping speed—but consistency and availability remained issues. Drops, route discipline, and some off-field concerns have all raised questions about whether Williams can be the elite weapon Detroit envisioned.

Now, in 2025, Williams faces a turning point. With St. Brown thriving and rookie receivers entering the mix, he needs to carve out a reliable, impactful role. The Lions don’t need him to be a WR1—but they need him to be dependable, dangerous, and dialed in every week. If Williams can stay healthy and put it all together, he could be the missing piece that elevates the offense to an elite level. If not, the team may have to consider other long-term options at wide receiver.

2. Levi Onwuzurike – DL

Levi Onwuzurike entered the league in 2021 with high expectations as a second-round pick out of Washington. At the time, he was viewed as an athletic interior lineman with pass-rushing upside and the potential to become a cornerstone on the defensive line. However, his career has been derailed by injuries and inconsistency.

Back problems kept him off the field entirely in 2022 and limited his availability in 2023 and 2024. When he has played, the flashes have been there, but he has yet to establish himself as a reliable, every-down contributor. That could change in 2025, but time is running out.

This season could be make-or-break for Onwuzurike. With depth on the defensive line and young talent breathing down his neck, he’ll need to prove that he can stay healthy and produce. The Lions’ pass rush has improved overall, but adding consistent interior pressure would unlock even more possibilities. If Onwuzurike can deliver, he could revive his career and bolster a rising defense. If not, the Lions may move on after another underwhelming year.

3. Hendon Hooker – QB

While Jared Goff has solidified himself as the starter and leader of the offense, there’s no ignoring the intrigue surrounding Hendon Hooker. Drafted in the third round of the 2023 draft, Hooker came to Detroit with potential and polish but also questions, primarily due to his age and recovery from an ACL tear.

Now, two years removed from that injury and with a full offseason under his belt, Hooker is expected to compete as the backup and possibly show he could be a future starter. Goff’s long-term status is still a point of debate. While he’s played well, he’s also entering the expensive veteran years of his contract. If Goff’s play dips or if injury strikes, the Lions could turn to Hooker in a heartbeat.

This makes 2025 a pivotal season for the young quarterback. He needs to show growth in preseason action, command of the offense, and the poise that made him a standout at Tennessee. Even if he doesn’t play much in the regular season, Detroit needs to see signs that he can be a starting-caliber QB down the line. For Hooker, 2025 is about earning trust and showing that he’s more than a developmental project.

4. Kerby Joseph – S

Kerby Joseph had a breakout rookie season in 2022, establishing himself as a playmaker with a nose for the football. He intercepted Aaron Rodgers three times that year, which will forever earn him a place in Lions lore. But since then, the challenge for Joseph has been consistency—stringing together great games, improving his tackling, and becoming the kind of safety the defense can build around.

In 2023 and 2024, Joseph showed flashes, but also had lapses in coverage and missed tackles that hurt the team. Entering 2025, he needs to take that next step—from promising young player to established star.

The Lions’ secondary is one of their biggest areas for improvement, and Joseph could be the key to solidifying it. With new pieces added around him, including at cornerback, Joseph’s ability to lead, communicate, and make plays on the ball will be crucial. The talent is undeniable—now it’s about putting it all together for 17 games. If he does, he could become a Pro Bowl-level safety. If not, Detroit might be looking to retool the back end of their defense once again.

5. Josh Paschal – EDGE

Josh Paschal, a 2022 second-round pick, has quietly become one of the more important depth pieces on Detroit’s defensive line—but in 2025, he needs to be more than that. Injuries and uneven play have limited his production, but the Lions still believe in his upside as a rotational edge rusher with versatility to move inside on passing downs.

Paschal plays with effort and toughness, but the team needs to see more disruptive plays—sacks, pressures, and tackles for loss. Aidan Hutchinson draws the most attention on the edge, and that should create favorable matchups for guys like Paschal. It’s time to capitalize.

The Lions don’t necessarily need Paschal to be a double-digit sack guy, but they do need him to bring heat consistently and contribute to the team’s overall pass rush. With other young edge rushers competing for reps, Paschal must prove he deserves a bigger role. 2025 will be a crucial season for his development and his place in Detroit’s long-term plans.

For the Detroit Lions, 2025 represents opportunity—and pressure. Expectations are rising, and that means every player must step up. While stars like Hutchinson and St. Brown have established themselves, the leap from playoff hopeful to Super Bowl contender requires more than just a few great players. It takes depth, consistency, and development across the roster.

For Jameson Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, Hendon Hooker, Kerby Joseph, and Josh Paschal, this is a season to prove they belong, to show they can contribute at a high level, and to become part of the foundation moving forward. Their performance could very well determine how far Detroit goes in 2025—and whether the Lions can finally take the next step toward sustained success.

With the culture in place, the coaching staff locked in, and the fan base more energized than ever, the table is set. Now it’s on the players with the most to prove to go out and do exactly that.