Lions Have a Hidden Advantage That Nobody is Discussing

It’s been a rough week for those who follow the Detroit Lions. The team lost to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, July 31, in their first preseason game of the season with a lopsided 34-7 final score.

It wasn’t the game the team wanted to present as their first glance at the new team, and the team’s weaknesses really showed through, on their secondary. But, it was just a preseason game, so it is what it is.

It’s time to move on, and head coach Dan Campbell is likely doing just that as the players regroup for more training camp and preseason games. The Lions are less than two months away from the start of the season, so it’s crunch time to get ready. One of the key pieces of any team is how many young players they have in the squad. The younger the team, the better that team is suited for the future. With that in mind, ESPN has a new tally out of the best NFL rosters under the age of 25.

The Best NFL Teams Under 25

Aaron Schatz of ESPN has a new feature out, published on July 29, naming the best teams in the NFL with players under the age of 25. The Detroit Lions aren’t No. 1, but we’re still not too shabby. The No. 1 honor goes to the Texans.

GettyJared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 03, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 24-14.

“For the third straight year, the Houston Texans are No. 1 on this list of teams with the most under-25 talent, which is what happens when they trade up to get the top two picks in the draft and take two players who are very young,” he notes in the feature.

He adds that “NFL teams don’t need young talent to be serious contenders, but having it helps indicate their potential for long-term success. Blue-chip players are cornerstone assets from whom teams will likely derive their biggest future value.”

So, where do the Lions land? They’re No. 6 on the tally. That’s great. Last year, we were No. 2, but No. 6 is still high up on the roster.

“The Lions drop a couple of spots because Hutchinson has aged out of our list, but they still have a ton of blue-chip talent,” he notes in the piece. “Detroit will probably drop further in 2026, because a lot of these players are 24 years old.”

He adds it “starts with Sewell, who was a first-team All-Pro for two straight seasons. Williams and LaPorta are also both 24, combining for over 1,700 receiving yards a season ago. The most notable 24-year-old on defense is first-team All-Pro Joseph, who had nine interceptions in 2024.”

Detroit Lions Are No. 1

So, the Lions will age a little after this season, but that’s okay. But, some analysts think the team is even better off this season.

What’s even better is that SI has the Lion at No. 1 on their tally of the best teams with players under 25. “With all the draft hits in recent years, the Lions have formed one of the best rosters in the league and turned into a perennial Super Bowl contender,” notes Gilberto Manzano in a piece published on July 31. “It says plenty that the Lions’ young group is ranked ahead of a team with Stroud, Anderson and Stingley.”