
Lions dominate the latest Top 25 players under 25 list
The young core of the Detroit Lions helped lead the team to a 15-2 record and a second straight NFC North title in 2024. And the good news for Lions fans is that the roster is still loaded with great young talent.
In the latest list that spotlights just how talented the Lions are, Sam Monson from the Check the Mic podcast on the 33rd Team compiled his ranking of the top 25 players under 25 years old. Detroit sprinkles in five players, the only team on the list with more than three. To take it one step further, the five Lions are the only five representatives from the entire NFC North division.
Detroit's quintet includes right tackle Penei Sewell as the No. 2 player, trailing only Baltimore safety Kyle Hamilton. Defensive back Brian Branch is seventh, sandwiched between the two Rams on the list (WR Puka Nacua and DE Jared Verse). Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs and TE Sam LaPorta are back-to-back at 14th and 15th, respectively. Last but not least, safety Kerby Joseph closes out the list at No. 25.
Aidan Hutchinson is perhaps the most glaring omission, too. Hutchinson turns 25 in August. Even though he's coming off a broken leg, he was the presumptive Defensive Player of the Year through the first six weeks prior to the injury. For those wondering, Amon-Ra St. Brown turned 25 last October.

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