The Detroit Lions entered last season with championship-level expectations. After back-to-back strong campaigns, Detroit was no longer rebuilding — it was contending. That shift made underperformance far more noticeable, especially when injuries and inconsistency struck key contributors.
Here are the five most disappointing Lions players from last season, based on production, health, and overall impact.
- Kerby Joseph — Injuries Derailed a Breakout Year
Kerby Joseph remains one of Detroit’s most exciting young defenders, but availability is part of value in the NFL.
Joseph missed 11 games due to a knee injury that worsened after Week 6. Before going down, he recorded three interceptions in six games and flashed the ball skills that made him a rising star at safety. Once injured, his season quickly unraveled.
The Lions delayed placing him on injured reserve in hopes of a return, costing valuable roster flexibility during a stretch when the secondary was already depleted.
Bottom line: When healthy, Joseph is a playmaker. Last season, he simply wasn’t healthy enough to help.
- Graham Glasgow — Struggled at Center After Position Change
Replacing Frank Ragnow at center was never going to be easy.
Graham Glasgow, naturally a guard, shifted to center and struggled with consistency. According to Pro Football Focus, he frequently graded among Detroit’s lowest-rated linemen, including multiple games in the 40s (below-average range).
Pass protection up the middle suffered, and his age (32) showed against quicker interior rushers. While Glasgow stayed healthy, the performance drop-off from Ragnow was noticeable.
Bottom line: Versatility helped the team, but the level of play wasn’t what Detroit needed in a title push.
- Terrion Arnold — Penalties and Injury Overshadowed Progress
First-round picks come with pressure, and Terrion Arnold felt it immediately.
Arnold battled discipline issues, drawing several pass interference and holding penalties at critical moments. While he showed flashes of tight coverage, inconsistency defined his season.
He ultimately underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, missing nine games and further thinning an already injured secondary.
Bottom line: The talent is clear, but durability and cleaner technique must improve in Year 2.
- Taylor Decker — Solid, But Not Elite
Including Taylor Decker may surprise some fans, but expectations are higher for veteran leaders.
Decker remained durable, missing just one game, yet his overall consistency dipped. Elite edge rushers had more success against him than in past seasons, and his sack totals allowed increased.
With retirement talk and long-term planning looming, Detroit must evaluate whether left tackle needs future reinforcement.
Bottom line: Not bad — just below his own established standard.
- Alim McNeill — Limited Impact After ACL Recovery
Alim McNeill deserves patience after returning from a torn ACL, but production still matters.
He returned in Week 7 and finished with 14 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble across nine games — all impact plays coming in one standout performance against Dallas. In three games, he recorded zero tackles.
McNeill did not look fully explosive, and Detroit’s interior pass rush and run defense suffered at times.
Bottom line: A full offseason of recovery is needed for him to regain his disruptive form.
The Bigger Picture
Detroit’s defensive struggles were heavily influenced by injuries, and that context matters. Most of the disappointment came from players who were either hurt or playing out of position — not from a lack of talent.
If Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold, and Alim McNeill return to full strength, this list could look very different next season. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, bounce-back years aren’t just hopeful — they’re required.
