10 Best Detroit Lions Players

#10: Billy Sims (1980-1984)

• Position: Running Back
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 212 lbs

Billy Sims burst onto the scene for the Detroit Lions after being selected first overall in the 1980 NFL Draft. Known for his powerful running style, agility, and breakaway speed, Sims immediately made an impact, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season.

In his five seasons with the Lions, Sims rushed for over 5,000 yards and 42 touchdowns, consistently ranking among the league’s top backs. His promising career was unfortunately cut short due to a severe knee injury, but Sims’ electrifying play during his brief career left a lasting impression on Lions fans and earned him a place among the franchise’s all-time greats.

Notable Accomplishments:

• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1980)
• 3x Pro Bowler (1980-1982)
• Over 5,000 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns in five seasons

#9: Jason Hanson (1992-2012)

• Position: Kicker
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 190 lbs

Jason Hanson was the model of consistency for the Detroit Lions, spending an incredible 21 seasons as the team’s kicker. Known for his powerful and accurate leg, Hanson became one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history. 

He holds the franchise record for points scored, field goals made, and games played. Hanson’s ability to make clutch kicks in tough conditions, along with his longevity, made him a cornerstone of the Lions for over two decades. His steady presence and leadership solidified his place as one of the greatest players in Lions history.

Notable Accomplishments:

• NFL record for most games played with one team (327)
• 2x Pro Bowler
• Over 2,150 career points, third-most in NFL history

#8: Dick “Night Train” Lane (1960-1965)

• Position: Cornerback
• Height/Weight: 6’1″, 194 lbs

Dick “Night Train” Lane was one of the most feared and dominant defensive backs in NFL history. 

During his time with the Lions, Lane was known for his aggressive playing style, hard hits, and exceptional ball-hawking ability. He remains the NFL’s single-season interception record holder with 14, a record set in 1952. 

Lane’s physicality and ability to shut down opposing receivers earned him a reputation as one of the greatest defensive backs ever. His contributions to the Lions’ defense made him an iconic figure in Detroit’s football history.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 7x Pro Bowler (including his time with the Lions)
• 2x First-Team All-Pro with the Lions
• Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1974)

#7: Herman Moore (1991-2001)

• Position: Wide Receiver
• Height/Weight: 6’4″, 210 lbs

Herman Moore was one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL during the 1990s, becoming the Lions’ go-to target. Known for his size, leaping ability, and reliable hands, Moore was a nightmare for opposing defenses. 

He led the NFL in receptions twice and set several franchise records for receiving yards and touchdowns. Moore’s connection with quarterback Scott Mitchell helped elevate the Lions’ passing game during his prime, and his contributions were key to Detroit’s playoff appearances in the mid-1990s.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 4x Pro Bowler (1994-1997)
• 3x First-Team All-Pro (1995-1997)
• Lions’ all-time leader in receptions (until surpassed by Calvin Johnson)

#6: Alex Karras (1958-1970)

• Position: Defensive Tackle
• Height/Weight: 6’2″, 248 lbs

Alex Karras was a dominant force on the defensive line for the Detroit Lions during the late 1950s and 1960s. Known for his brute strength and tenacity, Karras was an anchor in the Lions’ defense, disrupting offensive lines and stopping the run. 

Karras was a 4x Pro Bowler and is widely regarded as one of the best defensive tackles of his era. Beyond his football career, Karras also became a successful actor, but his contributions on the field made him a Lions legend. 

His toughness and relentless play helped define Detroit’s defense for over a decade.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 4x Pro Bowler
• NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2020)

#5: Lem Barney (1967-1977)

• Position: Cornerback
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 188 lbs

Lem Barney was one of the most electrifying defensive players in Detroit Lions history, known for his incredible ball-hawking ability and playmaking skills. In his rookie season, Barney announced his arrival by leading the NFL with 10 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns. 

His speed, instincts, and versatility made him a constant threat on defense, and he also contributed as a return specialist. Barney’s athleticism allowed him to shadow the league’s best receivers and make game-changing plays throughout his career. Over a decade with the Lions, he solidified his legacy as one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 7x Pro Bowler
• NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1967)
• 56 career interceptions, 7 returned for touchdowns
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1992)

#4: Joe Schmidt (1953-1965)

• Position: Linebacker
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 220 lbs

Joe Schmidt was the heart and soul of the Detroit Lions’ defense throughout the 1950s and 1960s, serving as both a fierce tackler and an intelligent field general. 

Known for his leadership and exceptional football instincts, Schmidt helped lead the Lions to two NFL championships in 1953 and 1957. His ability to diagnose plays and make key tackles in crucial moments made him one of the most respected linebackers of his era. 

After his playing career, Schmidt continued his impact on the Lions as the team’s head coach. His influence on the field and in the locker room cemented his status as one of the greatest Lions of all time.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 10x Pro Bowler
• 8x First-Team All-Pro
• 2x NFL Champion (1953, 1957)
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1973)

#3: Bobby Layne (1950-1958)

• Position: Quarterback
• Height/Weight: 6’1″, 198 lbs

Bobby Layne is often remembered as the quarterback who led the Detroit Lions during their golden era in the 1950s, guiding the team to three NFL championships (1952, 1953, 1957). 

Known for his fearless, tough-as-nails attitude, Layne was the quintessential leader, driving the Lions’ offense with his strong arm and gutsy play. His ability to perform in clutch moments, especially in championship games, made him a legend in Detroit. 

Layne’s fiery competitiveness and refusal to lose endeared him to fans, and his winning legacy remains a cornerstone of the Lions’ history.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 6x Pro Bowler
• 3x NFL Champion (1952, 1953, 1957)
• NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1967)

#2: Calvin Johnson (2007-2015)

• Position: Wide Receiver
• Height/Weight: 6’5″, 237 lbs

Calvin Johnson, also known as “Megatron,” was one of the most dominant wide receivers in NFL history, combining extraordinary size, speed, and hands. Johnson’s physical gifts made him nearly impossible to defend, and he shattered records throughout his career with the Detroit Lions. In 2012, he set the NFL single-season record for receiving yards (1,964), a testament to his game-breaking ability. 

Johnson’s highlight-reel catches and unmatched work ethic made him a fan favorite, and despite retiring early, his legacy as one of the greatest receivers ever is firmly intact. His influence on the Lions’ offense and the game itself made him an icon in Detroit sports.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 6x Pro Bowler
• 3x First-Team All-Pro
• NFL single-season receiving yards record (1,964 in 2012)
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2021)

#1: Barry Sanders (1989-1998)

• Position: Running Back
• Height/Weight: 5’8″, 203 lbs

Barry Sanders is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs—and players—in NFL history. Known for his unparalleled quickness, agility, and ability to make defenders miss in the open field, Sanders made every carry a potential highlight.

 In 1997, Sanders became only the third player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 2,053 yards and earning NFL MVP honors. 

Despite playing behind a less-than-stellar offensive line for much of his career, Sanders rushed for over 15,000 yards and consistently ranked among the league’s top rushers. His humility, grace, and quiet demeanor off the field were in stark contrast to his electrifying play on the field. 

Barry Sanders retired at the peak of his career, leaving fans in awe of what he had accomplished and wondering what more he could have done. His combination of talent, character, and impact makes him not only the best player in Lions history but one of the all-time greats in the NFL.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 10x Pro Bowler
• 6x First-Team All-Pro
• 1997 NFL MVP
• Over 15,000 rushing yards and 99 touchdowns
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2004)