These Lions second-year players are set for breakout seasons in 2025

Unlike the Lions monster 2023 draft class, 2024 didn't have an immediate on-field impact.

The Lions, of course, were picking later in the draft than they were used to in 2024, and didn't have all of the extra picks they had in previous years due to the Matthew Stafford trade.

Terrion Arnold, the Lions' first-round draft pick, was the only rookie who played any meaningful snaps in 2024. Arnold was a starting cornerback for the entire season in Detroit, and although he had his struggles, Lions coaches believe he is poised for a great 2024.

Outside of Arnold, there are a few Lions players who could potentially make significant jumps in their sophomore season.

3 Lions sophomores poised for breakout seasons

Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a cornerback from Mizzou, was taken in the second round by the Lions last season. Lions GM Brad Holmes took Arnold and Rakestraw back-to-back, trying to solidify the cornerback room.

Unfortunately, the Mizzou cornerback missed much of the season due to various injuries and was never able to get comfortable at the NFL level. However, this year, Lions coaches have him focused on playing outside corner and expect great things.

There are at least three cornerbacks ahead of Rakestraw on the Lions depth chart, but injuries happen in this league and he will undoubtedly get some reps. After using a second-round pick on him last season, the Lions remain dedicated to seeing what he can do at the cornerback position.

Christian Mahogany

Christian Mahogany was drafted with the Lions last pick at No. 210 in 2024. A guard out of Boston College, Mahogany was looked at as a potential steal for the Lions late in the draft.

The Boston College guard didn't play much due to the presence of Kevin Zeitler and Graham Glasgow, but he did receive one start against the Bears late in the season, when he proved to be a stud.

Pride of Detroit did a film breakdown on Mahogany from his lone start in Chicago and noticed his ability to climb to the second level, keep his head on a swivel in pass protection, and operate in space.

With Kevin Zeitler signing with the Titans and Graham Glasgow finishing as one of the worst guards in football last season, I expect Mahogany to start the season at guard for Detroit. We will find out quickly if that game in Chicago was a fluke, but I expect him to have a great season on the o-line.

Mekhi Wingo

Mekhi Wingo is a very interesting case of a player who was playing surprisingly well, but got injured, and fans seemed to forget about him entirely. Wingo was a sixth-round pick by the Lions in 2024, and he quickly made more of an impact than expected.

While his stat sheet doesn't show it, Wingo often got 20-plus snaps for the Lions early in the season, and usually ranked in the 8-10 range on the Lions defense in PFF grade. Unfortunately, after playing through an injury on Thanksgiving, Wingo's season ended with a knee injury.

With star defensive tackle Alim McNeill set to miss much of the first half season, Mekhi Wingo will have an opportunity to make some waves early in the season if he is healthy. He looked to be a steal for the Lions before his injury last season, and I expect big things in 2025.

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