Terrion Arnold and 2 young players who could break out for the Detroit Lions in 2025

The Detroit Lions might've dropped their season opener to the Green Bay Packers, but there are plenty of storylines left to follow regarding a few of their young stars.

Terrion Arnold was hurt during the matchup, but he and two other Lions should be closely followed this coming year as they've begun to shape up a promising core. Week 1 shouldn't be the end of the world for the Lions or fans expecting to watch this team take a leap into Super Bowl contention this year.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold

Arnold was thrown into the fire early last year as a rookie first-round pick, and had some early struggles, but also showed a lot of positives. He started 15 games for Detroit and recorded 60 tackles and 10 pass deflections. Arnold was flagged for 11 penalties last year, second-most of any defensive back in the NFL, but was considerably more disciplined later in the season.

The Lions asked a lot out of Arnold as a rookie last year in Aaron Glenn’s man coverage-heavy defense. Newly-promoted Kelvin Sheppard’s defense is expected to be similar, and the Lions signed one of the league’s better cover corners in D.J. Reed this offseason after Carlton Davis signed with New England.

Arnold reportedly showed huge strides in this year’s training camp and has drawn a lot of praise from teammates and coaches. Detroit’s defense could be one of the league’s best if he and Reed can prove to be a top cornerback duo in the league. But if Arnold doesn’t take a sophomore leap, it could spell trouble in a division with plenty of star receiver talent. 

Detroit needs a big year out of Arnold, and if the camp buzz has been any indication, he’s a likely candidate for one.

Left guard Christian Mahogany

Mahogany, the former sixth-rounder out of Boston College, is making the jump to full-time starter in his second year. The left guard spot became open after the Lions moved veteran Graham Glasgow to center following the sudden retirement of All-Pro Frank Ragnow. 

Detroit is getting considerably younger at both of its guard spots, starting rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge on the right side after Kevin Zeitler went to Tennessee in free agency. But Mahogany gets the nod here because at least he’s actually played before. That seems fair.

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Mahogany had a serious setback his rookie year, missing all of training camp due to mononucleosis and not returning to practice until late October. He saw his first game action in late November and then started in Detroit’s Dec. 22 road win over the Bears.  Mahogany played well, allowing just one pressure. 

He then started again in Detroit’s home playoff game against Washington, and held up well despite the loss. The Lions are now counting on him as a full time starter.

Mahogany has looked solid in training camp and the preseason, although some growing pains are to be expected. It’ll be tough losing two veterans as reliable as Ragnow and Zeitler, but the Lions like what they’ve seen from Mahogany and hope he can provide enough for the offensive line to remain elite in 2025.

Linebacker Jack Campbell

A former first-rounder in 2023, Campbell was just about the only key defender on the Lions’ defense that played every game in 2024. The unit was decimated by injuries and signing starters off the street by the end of the season.

Of course, that played a big part in the team’s early playoff demise, but it was also invaluable experience for Campbell. The Lions put a lot on his plate as a rookie, asking him to learn the versatile SAM position, but moved him back to his natural position at MIKE in 2024. 

Campbell produced immediately, recording a team-high 131 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five passes defended and five quarterback hits. It was a great season, but he’s on this list because there’s room for an even greater improvement in 2025.

“This is his defense,” head coach Dan Campbell said of the third-year linebacker. “He’s taken ownership and sets the tone for everybody.”

2024 was already something of a breakout for Campbell, but almost because he was forced to grow up quickly out of necessity thanks to all the injuries. If he can truly settle in as the “quarterback” of Detroit’s defense this season, without having to overcompensate for Detroit’s injury situation and instead be able to rely on his teammates more, we could see Campbell make that next leap into one of the NFL’s best off-ball linebackers.