Kevin Szafraniec explains why turnover on Detroit’s coaching staff could lead to a shift in how the Lions win games this season. But fantasy managers need not worry too much; Detroit’s superstars should continue to score fantasy points in bunches.

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have transformed the Lions from a perennial punchline into one of the most explosive and well-rounded teams in the league. Throughout the duo’s four seasons together in Detroit, the team’s record has improved every year, starting with a 3-13-1 finish in 2021 and culminating in a 15-2 record last season.

Success generally has a trickle-down effect, and the Lions felt the negative impact of their recent achievements this offseason when they lost both of their coordinators to head coaching positions. There will no doubt be an adjustment period as Detroit acclimates to the changes in their coaching staff, but the firm presence of Campbell should ensure that the team does not stray too far from the formula that has helped the Lions become one of the top teams in the NFL.

Heading into the 2025 season, the Lions find themselves squarely in the middle of a championship window. While taking a slight step back from their dominant 2024 season feels like a near certainty, having one of the most talented rosters in the league and a proven head coach should provide a safety net from the Lions experiencing a free fall in the standings. However, under-the-radar changes to the roster could result in the defense needing to take a more prominent role after the offense did most of the heavy lifting last year.

While flux in the roster and on the sidelines could result in things looking a bit different for Detroit this season, the team’s superstars should have no problem remaining foundational pieces of 2025 fantasy rosters. Unfortunately, the same may not be true for the ancillary contributors of the offense. Following a significant amount of turnover across the Lions organization this offseason, which pieces of the offense should fantasy managers be targeting to fortify their rosters, and which of Detroit’s players could end up leading to cracks in the foundation?

AFC North

• Baltimore Ravens: There Is No End in Sight for Lamar Jackson’s Fantasy Domination
• Cleveland Browns: There Are Gems to be Found on Kevin Stefanski’s Offense If You Know Where to Look

AFC South

• Houston Texans: Why New Weapons and a New Scheme Will Lead to a C.J. Stroud Bounceback
• Jacksonville Jaguars: 2025 Represents Trevor Lawrence’s Best Chance Yet to Reach His Ceiling 
• Tennessee Titans: Will an Abundance of Garbage Time Result in Tennessee’s Late-Round Skill-Position Players Returning Big-Time Fantasy Value?

AFC East

• Miami Dolphins: Whose Fantasy Arrows Are Pointing Up on a Miami Offense Heading in the Opposite Direction?
• New York Jets: A Shift in Offensive Philosophy Could Result in Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis Forming the Best Backfield in the AFC

AFC West

• Denver Broncos: Bo Nix Is About to Join the Ranks of the NFL’s Elite QBs
• Los Angeles Chargers: Has Justin Herbert Forced Greg Roman to Rethink His Offensive Approach?

NFC North

• Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy Finds Himself in the Middle of the Perfect Storm for Fantasy Production
• Green Bay Packers: Why the NFL’s Most Complete Roster is Finally About to Get the Attention It Deserves

NFC South

• Atlanta Falcons: Which Players Are Primed to Help Take the Atlanta Offense to the Next Level?
• Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young Is Finally Ready to Deliver on His College Potential

NFC East

• Philadelphia Eagles: Why Small Changes Could Lead to Even Bigger Fantasy Scoring in 2025 
• Dallas Cowboys: A New Offensive Direction Is Exactly What Dak Prescott Needs to Get Back on Track

NFC West

• San Francisco 49ers: Make Sure You Are Rostering the Next Wave of Stars in Kyle Shanahan’s Offense
• Arizona Cardinals: Why Kyler Murray Will Overcome His Doubters and Return to His Elite Ways
• Los Angeles Rams: History Is Getting Ready to Repeat Itself in L.A. as Puka Nacua Eyes 2025’s Overall WR1 Spot

A Step Toward Excellence

Rarely do teams deliver on the hype to the degree that the Lions did in 2024. Coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game, Detroit was the talk of the NFL and an early Super Bowl favorite heading into last season. Campbell and his team looked well on their way to meeting those lofty expectations as they put together a 15-2 record that tied Kansas City as the best in the NFL. Sadly, the team ran into rookie phenom Jayden Daniels in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, putting an end to what had the makings of a legendary season.

Detroit not only won, but they also completely dominated their opponents. The offense increased its scoring output by a touchdown compared to 2023 and finished as the highest-scoring offense in the league. When combined with the defense clamping down by three fewer points per game over the previous year, the outcome resulted in the Lions averaging slightly more than 13.0 points per game more than their opponents.

The Ends Certainly Justified the Means