The key for the Detroit Lions to keep their window open will be to continually pair their expensive core players with young, cheap talent on rookie contracts. While the 2024 Lions draft class is looking like a swing and a miss from general manager Brad Holmes, it’s certainly worth pointing out some of the serious young talent this team still has.
CBS Sports highlights that a little with their latest Top 25 players 25 years old or under list for the 2026 season. Two Lions players ended up making the list:
Jahmyr Gibbs at No.9 and Penei Sewell at No. 3
Now, of course, Sewell has already gotten paid and Gibbs is likely on the verge of it this offseason, but it still points to how two of Detroit’s best players have plenty of productive years ahead of them.
“Penei Sewell is becoming the gold standard for offensive tackles in the NFL,” CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan wrote. “He’s elite as both a pass blocker and run blocker.”
Going to be nice having Sewell around for likely the next 6-10 years.
As for Gibbs, Sullivan does a nice job highlighting the ridiculous start to his young career.
“His 49 career touchdowns are the most by any player through his first three seasons in NFL history,” Sullivan wrote. “He’s third in scrimmage yards (3,768) and first in scrimmage touchdowns (38) over the past two seasons. Gibbs is also just the second player in NFL history to average at least 5.0 yards per carry in each of his first three seasons (min. 150 rushing attempts per season).”
Of course, it’d be nice to see someone from Detroit’s 2024 or 2025 draft class on this list, as well. We’ll have to see what the likes of Isaac TeSlaa, Ennis Rakestraw, Tyleik Williams, Derrick Moore, and Blake Miller can produce this year to make their case for the 2027 list.
If you’re wondering why Aidan Hutchinson (25) or Jack Campbell (25) didn’t make the list, it’s because both will turn 26 before the season starts. However, Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta are very notable snubs.
- Over on The Feed, Blueingreer makes an interesting argument that center is the biggest question for the 2026 Lions. Obviously we know Cade Mays will be the starter, but will he be good?
- Justin Rogers’ training camp preview series raises an interesting question: Could Jared Goff make an MVP run 2026?
- Fun post from the Lions’ Twitter account of players describing their teammates with a single word.
- Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com offers five training camp battles he’s going to be watching.
- Pickleball, parades, fireworks, and a bunch of kiddos running around. Enjoy this photo gallery of Penei Sewell’s Fourth of July:
- New Lions WR Lawrence Keys has yet to meet with Detroit media, but he spoke to New Orleans media about his new opportunity in the NFL after a strong UFL season.
