Lions' young core is starting to look like the foundation fans dreamed of

While the Detroit Lions are in the midst of a four game winning streak, it's important to take a step back and evaluated the units and players that have made that journey a bit easier for veterans like Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and others.

In a draft class that some Lions fans felt that Detroit took unnecessarily strange swings on high ceiling, untapped college talent, we're seeing some real signs of longevity.

Between the Lions' offensive line finally looking stable after a disastrous Week 1 showing against the Green Bay Packers and a defensive line that's quickly become one of the most stalwart in the NFL to begin the 2025 season, there are rookies impacting Detroit's season in all phases.

Specifically, Tate Ratledge, Tyleik Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa deserve some praise for how quickly they've adjusted to their new lives in the NFL, and with a team that has sky-high expectations for 2025.

Lions' young core is shining early in the 2025 season

Ratledge, the Lions' second round pick from 2025, has quickly become one of their best offensive linemen through five weeks of action. After a start to forget in Week 1 by Ratledge - and, truthfully, by everyone on the line - he's quickly become one of the best run blockers for Detroit this year. That's proven by just how much Gibbs and Montgomery have been eating against opposing defenses since that Packers game, breaking records along the way.

As for Williams, he came into camp as a little fish in a big, Aidan Hutchinson-sized pond. While he wasn't drafted with the expectation that he'd be a pass rushing weapon like Hutchinson is, he was thrust into a starting situation with Mekhi Wingo set to be out to begin the season. So far, the early returns on this decision from Kelvin Sheppard and his unit have been great.

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Of course, the high-flying rookie that Lions fans are itching to see even more of is TeSlaa. The lover of circus catches finally had a normal touchdown in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and it was an actually important score - the Lions were watching the Bengals slowly but surely work their way back into the contest on the shoulders of Ja'Marr Chase and a suddenly accurate Jake Browning. TeSlaa touchdown helped keep them at bay, and it added to his season total of two scores.

We could end up seeing far more of TeSlaa against the Chiefs in Week 6, at least as a returner. With Kalif Raymond having suffered a neck injury against Cincinnati, he may pop up as questionable ahead of the contest. If that happens, and Raymond either misses the game or gets limited reps, look to TeSlaa to get truly thrust into the WR3 role in this key contest.