Be on the lookout for these breakout players.
Photo courtesy Detroit Lions
Terrion Arnold: The Detroit Lions may have quietly uncovered a star in second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold. Drafted after a savvy trade-up that leapfrogged the Green Bay Packers, Arnold entered the NFL with high expectations. While his rookie season featured growing pains, the deeper data suggests a breakout may be imminent in 2025. Arnold allowed a respectable 61.2% completion rate when targeted, ranking in the top 25 among 73 qualifying corners. He also notched pass breakups in five of the Lions’ final seven games and committed only three penalties in the last 11 contests. Despite being thrust into the CB1 role after Carlton Davis’ injury, Arnold held his ground inconsistently. This season, Detroit fortified the secondary by adding veterans like D.J. Reed, Avonte Maddox, and Amik Robertson, allowing Arnold to settle into a more stable outside role. That positional consistency, combined with his experience and improved chemistry with the defense, could catalyze a second-year surge. Analytically, Arnold finished in the top 15 in pass breakups and in the top 10 in the fewest receptions allowed among corners, despite playing the 23rd most snaps in his position. His weakness was in surrendering big plays, a fixable issue often corrected between rookie and sophomore seasons. With less pressure and better support, Arnold may finally become the legitimate shutdown corner Detroit has long been searching for.
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Anthony Tyus: While the spotlight often falls on high draft picks, Lions rookie running back Anthony Tyus is quickly making noise in minicamp. A native Michigander and Ohio University standout, Tyus embraces the underdog role with grit and heart, just as Detroit likes it. After transferring from Northwestern, Tyus exploded in 2023 with over 1,200 rushing yards, nine touchdowns, and a bruising 5.0+ yards per carry. Now donning Honolulu blue, Tyus isn’t just happy to be here—he’s determined to stick. “All you need is an opportunity,” he said. “I’m ready to roll with it.” Tyus offers a physical, hard-running style reminiscent of Craig Reynolds but with added upside. At 220 pounds, he boasts ideal size and surprising burst. Though not a burner over long distances, his short-yard explosiveness—measured by an impressive 10-yard split—is NFL-caliber. On film, he routinely broke tackles, punished defenders, and showed enough speed to outrun secondaries, including a 200-yard performance against Syracuse. Detroit’s running back room includes David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Swiss Army knife Sione Vaki. But if Tyus continues to impress, he could challenge Reynolds for the final roster spot. Not only is Tyus slightly bigger and potentially more durable, but he’s also cheaper and under team control longer.
Why This Duo Matters for Detroit’s Success: Young, cost-controlled talent is gold in a league defined by depth. Arnold and Tyus offer the Lions two potential impact players on rookie deals—one anchoring the defense, the other energizing the ground game. Arnold’s second-year leap could shore up Detroit’s once-vulnerable secondary, while Tyus provides fresh legs and power behind Montgomery and Gibbs. The Lions were already one of the NFC’s top teams in 2024. If Arnold becomes a dependable starter and Tyus emerges as a capable RB4 or better, Detroit’s roster becomes even more dangerous—and deeper—heading into 2025. These aren’t just feel-good stories; they could be the difference-makers that push the Lions over the edge in the postseason race.
