The Detroit Lions are loaded with stars, but championship teams aren’t built on stars alone. A few underrated players on this roster could end up making a bigger impact than most people expect this season.
The Detroit Lions have built one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, filled with star power on both sides of the ball. Players like Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell receive most of the national attention, and rightfully so. However, every successful team relies on players who may not always be in the spotlight but consistently make important contributions. The Lions have several players who fall into that category heading into the upcoming season.
One of the most underrated players on the roster is linebacker Derrick Barnes. Barnes quietly put together one of the most productive seasons of his career last year while starting all 17 games for Detroit. He recorded four sacks, one interception, three pass deflections and six tackles for loss. Barnes also generated 21 pressures, which ranked seventh among linebackers, and his four sacks were the sixth most at the position.
Barnes made history as well, becoming the first Lions linebacker to record a season with at least four sacks and an interception since Chris Claiborne in 2002. He was originally selected in the fourth round (113th overall) out of Purdue in the 2021 NFL Draft and has steadily improved each season. While fellow linebacker Jack Campbell often receives more attention due to his draft status, All Pro appearance, and role in the defense, Barnes proved last season that he is more than capable of being a full-time starter and impact player. His versatility as both a pass rusher and coverage linebacker makes him a key piece of Detroit’s defense.
Another underrated Lion is punter Jack Fox. Punters rarely receive recognition unless something goes wrong, but Fox has quietly been one of the best punters in the NFL over the past few seasons. Last season, Fox posted a 42.7 net average, which ranked 10th in the league. He also recorded a 70-yard punt, the eighth longest in the NFL, and finished with 29 punts inside the 20-yard line, which ranked 10th.
Fox also led the league in fair catches forced, which is an underrated statistic that shows how effective he is at limiting returns and helping the defense with field position. In 2024, Fox had a Pro Football Focus grade of 80.5, which ranked eighth among punters, and he led the NFL with a 46.22 net average. Special teams make up one-third of the game, and Fox consistently helps the Lions win the field position battle, which often plays a major role in close games.
The third underrated player is edge rusher D. J. Wonnum. Although Wonnum is newer to the Lions, he could end up being a very important addition to the defense. Wonnum has been in the NFL for six seasons and has played for the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers. Over his career, he has started 54 games and recorded 30 sacks, including two seasons with eight sacks.
Wonnum has also been productive against the run, playing 271 run defense snaps recently, which likely played a role in Detroit bringing him in. Throughout his career, he has recorded 142 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 59 quarterback hits and 15 pass deflections. While his recent pass-rush rankings place him in the middle tier among edge rushers, he still provides depth, experience and rotational pass-rush ability — something every playoff team needs.
Overall, do not be surprised if one or more of these players ends up playing a major role for the Lions this season. Championship-caliber teams are not built with stars alone — they are built with depth, role players and underrated contributors who step up when it matters most. The Lions appear to have several players ready to do exactly that.