HUGE DEAL SEALED: Lions Have Officailly Completed and Announced the Signing Of ACC MVP To Replace Team Captain Ahead Of 2025 Season

Following the first few weeks of free agency, the Detroit Lions have one clear need for the 2025 season. They need to improve their second edge rusher position. Aside from that, they could be in the market for a right guard after Kevin Zeitler left in free agency, although they could be willing to offer that slot to Christian Mahogany after a couple of strong starts last season. With so few current requirements to fill in this year’s NFL Draft, the Lions will be able to address some potential future problems ahead of time. With a youthful core of players on their roster, there aren’t many obvious potential worries.

 

However, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine believes the Lions should address one position in the next draft. Ballentine believes that the Lions should choose a successor for linebacker Alex Anzalone.

Anzalone has spent the previous four seasons in Detroit and is a crucial part of the Lions’ defense. He totaled 254 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 12 passes deflected, and 27 pressures between 2022 and 2023. He was also the team’s captain this season, however he was sidelined for much of it due to an injury. He still played 91% of his available snaps and had 63 tackles in 10 games.

However, he will turn 31 in September, and his contract will expire at the end of the 2025 season. That might prompt the Lions to prepare for his probable departure next offseason, and Ballentine has a few options in mind to replace him. Ballentine mentioned Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman and Clemson’s Barrett Carter as potential draft picks this year. In 2024, Stutsman was named a consensus All-American after making more than 100 tackles for the third straight season.

Carter earned First Team All-ACC accolades after making 82 tackles, 11 of which were for a loss. Both players are expected to be taken late on day two or early on day three of this year’s draft.

That range would be ideal for the Lions to safeguard the future of their front seven.