There’s been a lot of focus this offseason on the changes for the Detroit Lions on the offensive side of the ball. But it seems many are sleeping on the team’s defense.

Last year, when healthy, the Lions defense was one of the best in the league. This year, Detroit will still need a couple months to get all of their biggest contributors back, but they start the season in a much better spot than where it ended. Aidan Hutchinson is back. Marcus Davenport is back. The best safety duo in the league is healthy, and a few young players are primed for breakout years.

So in the next installment of our 2025 NFL season preview series, our staff made their picks for Defensive Player of the Year.

Previous season predictions: • Offensive Player of the Year

2025 Lions Defensive Player of the Year

See Full Page