The Detroit Lions entered the 2025 NFL offseason with a few key areas to address. They needed to solidify their linebacker rotation, which they did by re-signing Derrick Barnes, and strengthen their cornerback group by adding a veteran CB1, securing D.J. Reed. With these moves, the Lions have a couple of remaining needs to finalize their roster for a 2025 title run, and two players stand out as potential solutions.
Kevin Zeitler
Although this may seem like an obvious choice, Zeitler is set to become a free agent, and re-signing him for another season makes sense for the Lions. He was a reliable presence during his one season with the team, and with him on the market, the only alternative on the roster is Christian Mahogany, who has just two career starts. While there are still notable free-agent options available, Zeitler remains the best fit. He didn’t show signs of decline last season, even at 34, and would likely only want a one-year deal. A contract around $8 million per year, similar to James Daniels’ deal, would be a reasonable investment for the Lions. Keeping Zeitler would provide stability to the offensive line.
Azeez Ojulari
Currently, Marcus Davenport is expected to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson on the edge, but this pairing may not be enough for a Super Bowl contender. While the draft offers potential edge rushers, many of them are projects who may not be ready to make an immediate impact. To address this, the Lions should pursue Azeez Ojulari, a veteran with a proven pass-rush ability. Despite injury
struggles, Ojulari has totaled 22 sacks in his first four seasons, including six last year in just 11 games, competing with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. His compensation should be similar to Malcolm Koonce’s one-year, $12 million deal, which is a reasonable cost for a team looking to bolster its pass rush. With ample cap space remaining, the Lions can afford to sign Ojulari to address their pass-rush concerns for 2025 and beyond. Even if they want to limit their spending on this position due to Hutchinson’s investment, Ojulari could provide the pressure the Lions need upfront.
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