Best Detroit Lions Players of All-Time Tier List

Best Detroit Lions Players of All-Time starts with Barry Sanders, Joe Schmidt, Bobby Layne and Calvin Johnson — and that top tier is as iconic as it gets. Sanders is the greatest Lion ever and one of the most breathtaking runners in NFL history. Schmidt was the defensive face of Detroit’s championship years. Layne gave the franchise its greatest quarterback-era success. Calvin Johnson became the modern receiving giant who carried Detroit through difficult years.

The Lions’ all-time list is deeper than people sometimes realize. It stretches from Portsmouth Spartans history to 1950s NFL championships, Barry Sanders’ legendary rushing years, the Matthew Stafford-Calvin Johnson era and the modern Detroit core that has brought the franchise back into serious NFC contention.

This is a tier list, not a strict 1-through-40 ranking. The tiers are ranked, but the players inside the same tier are grouped in the same all-time legacy range rather than ordered from best to worst. The ranking weighs peak dominance, Lions production, awards, longevity, championships, playoff impact, franchise records and how strongly each player shaped Detroit football.

How We Ranked the Best Detroit Lions Players of All-Time

This ranking weighs each player’s Lions career first. Full-career greatness matters as context, but Detroit impact comes first. Matthew Stafford’s Rams chapter does not change what he did in Detroit. Darius Slay’s later career does not change his Lions peak. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell are judged only by what they have already done in Detroit.

The Lions also need era context. Bobby Layne, Joe Schmidt, Yale Lary, Jack Christiansen, Doak Walker and Lou Creekmur helped Detroit win NFL championships in the 1950s. Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson played on teams that did not always match their talent, but their individual dominance was historic. The modern Goff-era Lions have already changed the conversation around the franchise.

The tiers are the main ranking structure. Tier 1 is above Tier 2, Tier 2 is above Tier 3 and so on. Inside each tier, the names are grouped together in the same general legacy range. That means Barry Sanders, Joe Schmidt, Bobby Layne and Calvin Johnson are all Tier 1 players, but the list is not trying to split every small difference between players within that same tier.

Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions Franchise History

The Lions’ franchise history technically begins with the Portsmouth Spartans before the team moved to Detroit and became the Lions in 1934. This ranking uses the current Detroit Lions name for title and search clarity, but it covers the full franchise history.

That matters most for older players like Dutch Clark, who played during the Portsmouth-to-Detroit transition era. It also matters when comparing 1950s championship legends against modern stars like Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell.

In other words, this is not only a modern Lions list. It is a full Detroit Lions franchise tier list.

Tier 7: Important Lions Legends and Memorable Franchise Pieces

Tier 7 includes Bennie Blades, Taylor Decker, Luther Elliss, Gail Cogdill, Ed Flanagan, John Gordy, and Shaun Rogers.

Tier 7 still has strong Detroit history. This group includes defensive backs, offensive linemen, interior defenders and productive players who were important in different Lions eras.

Bennie Blades

Lions Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with Detroit, Pro Bowl safety, longtime starter, key defensive back during the Barry Sanders era.

Bennie Blades gave the Lions physical safety play during the 1990s. He could hit, tackle and bring attitude to the back end of the defense.

His Detroit teams were often defined by Barry Sanders on offense, but Blades was one of the defensive names fans remembered. He belongs on this list because of his toughness and long run as a starter.

Taylor Decker

Lions Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with Detroit, 140 regular-season starts, 2024 Pro Bowl selection, longtime left tackle.

Taylor Decker gave Detroit a decade of reliable left tackle play. He protected multiple quarterbacks, stayed through the rebuild and became one of the veteran leaders of the franchise’s modern rise.

Decker was never always the flashiest offensive lineman, but 10 years as a starting left tackle is real franchise value. His Lions career belongs on the board.

Luther Elliss

Lions Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with Detroit, 2 Pro Bowls, interior defensive line standout of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Luther Elliss was one of Detroit’s better defensive linemen during a difficult stretch for the franchise. He brought size, power and interior disruption.

Elliss did not always get the national attention that bigger-market defensive tackles received, but his Pro Bowl recognition shows the league respected his peak.

Gail Cogdill

Lions Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with Detroit, multiple Pro Bowls, 5,000+ receiving yards, one of the franchise’s top pre-modern receivers.

Gail Cogdill was a major Lions receiver before the modern passing explosion. He gave Detroit a reliable and productive target through the 1960s.

His numbers need era context, but his league recognition and production make him one of the franchise’s best older wideouts.

Ed Flanagan

Lions Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with Detroit, 4 Pro Bowls, longtime center.

Ed Flanagan was one of the Lions’ strongest interior offensive linemen of his era. He handled the middle of the line and gave Detroit a tough, reliable center.

Centers rarely become headline names, but four Pro Bowls make the résumé clear. Flanagan belongs in Detroit’s offensive line history.

John Gordy

Lions Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with Detroit, multiple Pro Bowls, longtime guard and NFLPA leader.

John Gordy was a strong guard for the Lions and later became an important figure in the players’ union. That combination gives him both franchise and football-history importance.

As a player, he gave Detroit toughness and consistency up front. On a team-history list, that matters.

Shaun Rogers

Lions Stats & Accolades: 7 seasons with Detroit, 2 Pro Bowls, disruptive defensive tackle.

Shaun Rogers was one of the most physically talented defensive tackles the Lions have had. At his best, he could collapse the pocket and take over stretches of games.

Consistency was not always perfect, but the peak was impressive. Rogers gave Detroit real interior defensive force in the 2000s.

Tier 6: Top Lions With Strong Careers

Tier 6 includes Jason Hanson, Billy Sims, Greg Landry, Darris McCord, Roger Brown, Darius Slay, and Kevin Glover.

Tier 6 has the franchise scoring king, a short-peak star running back, multiple defensive linemen, a top cornerback and one of Detroit’s best centers.

Jason Hanson

Lions Stats & Accolades: 21 seasons with Detroit, franchise-record 2,150 points, 2 Pro Bowls, one of the longest one-team careers in NFL history.

Jason Hanson is the greatest kicker in Lions history and one of the longest-serving players any NFL franchise has ever had. He gave Detroit stability for more than two decades.

Specialists are difficult to compare with position players, but 2,150 points with one team is impossible to ignore. Hanson’s loyalty and consistency make him a true Lions great.

Billy Sims

Lions Stats & Accolades: 5 seasons with Detroit, 1980 Offensive Rookie of the Year, 3 Pro Bowls, 5,000+ yards from scrimmage.

Billy Sims looked like he was on his way to a legendary career before injuries cut it short. He was explosive, tough and instantly became one of the league’s most exciting backs.

The career length keeps him lower than Barry Sanders and other long-term stars, but the peak was serious. Sims remains one of Detroit’s great “what if” players.

Greg Landry

Lions Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with Detroit, Pro Bowl quarterback, 12,000+ passing yards as a Lion, rushing threat at quarterback.

Greg Landry was one of the Lions’ best quarterbacks before the Stafford and Goff eras. He had arm talent, mobility and enough playmaking ability to become a Pro Bowl passer.

Detroit’s quarterback history has been uneven, which makes Landry’s strong years stand out. He remains one of the franchise’s most important old-school quarterbacks.

Darris McCord

Lions Stats & Accolades: 13 seasons with Detroit, longtime defensive end, key member of strong 1950s and 1960s defensive fronts.

Darris McCord gave the Lions steady defensive line play for more than a decade. He bridged the late championship era into the next generation of Detroit football.

His role was not always flashy, but longevity on the defensive line is valuable. McCord was a trusted part of the Lions front for years.

Roger Brown

Lions Stats & Accolades: 7 seasons with Detroit, multiple Pro Bowls, dominant defensive tackle of the 1960s.

Roger Brown was a massive force in the middle of the Lions defense. He had size, power and enough pass-rush ability to become one of the best tackles of his era.

Brown later continued his career with the Rams, but his Detroit years were excellent. He belongs among the franchise’s strongest defensive linemen.

Darius Slay

Lions Stats & Accolades: 7 seasons with Detroit, 19 interceptions as a Lion, 2017 First-Team All-Pro, multiple Pro Bowls with Detroit.

Darius Slay gave Detroit its best modern cornerback peak. His 2017 season was elite, and his “Big Play Slay” nickname fit because he could create turnovers and handle tough matchups.

His later career added to his full NFL résumé, but his Lions case is already strong on its own. Detroit got the foundation of one of the better corners of his era.

Kevin Glover

Lions Stats & Accolades: 13 seasons with Detroit, 3 Pro Bowls, longtime center during the Barry Sanders era.

Kevin Glover was one of the key blockers during Barry Sanders’ prime. Blocking for Barry was not like blocking for a normal back because plays could bend and break in every direction.

Glover gave the Lions intelligence and stability in the middle. His Pro Bowl résumé and long tenure make him one of the franchise’s best centers.

Tier 5: Lions Franchise Greats

Tier 5 includes Wayne Walker, Lomas Brown, Chris Spielman, Frank Ragnow, Robert Porcher, and Doug English.

Tier 5 is full of players who gave Detroit real identity. There are linebackers, offensive linemen, pass rushers and interior defenders who became staples across different eras.

Wayne Walker

Lions Stats & Accolades: 15 seasons with Detroit, multiple Pro Bowls, longtime linebacker and occasional kicker.

Wayne Walker was one of the Lions’ most durable defensive players. He spent 15 seasons in Detroit and gave the franchise reliable linebacker play for an unusually long time.

His era does not get as much attention as the championship 1950s or Barry Sanders years, but Walker’s consistency makes him one of the franchise’s strongest long-term defenders.

Lomas Brown

Lions Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with Detroit, multiple Pro Bowls as a Lion, longtime left tackle during the Barry Sanders era.

Lomas Brown was one of the best offensive linemen in Lions history. He protected the edge and helped create space during the Barry Sanders years.

Blocking for Sanders was not always easy because the play could go anywhere, but Brown’s athleticism and consistency made him a major piece of the offense.

Chris Spielman

Lions Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with Detroit, 4 Pro Bowls, tackling machine and defensive leader.

Chris Spielman brought toughness and credibility to the Lions defense. He was intense, productive and one of the franchise’s most respected linebackers.

Spielman played with the kind of edge Detroit fans loved. His leadership and tackling production give him one of the strongest defensive cases from the Barry Sanders era.

Frank Ragnow

Lions Stats & Accolades: 2018–2025, multiple Pro Bowls, All-Pro center, key offensive lineman of the modern Lions rebuild.

Frank Ragnow gave Detroit one of the best modern center runs in franchise history. When healthy, he was one of the best interior linemen in football.

Ragnow helped turn Detroit’s offensive line into a strength and was a major part of the Goff-era rise. The career was not as long as some older Lions linemen, but the quality was elite.

Robert Porcher

Lions Stats & Accolades: 12 seasons with Detroit, franchise official sack leader with 95.5 sacks, 3 Pro Bowls.

Robert Porcher was one of the most productive pass rushers in Lions history. He spent his entire career in Detroit and became the franchise’s official sack leader.

Porcher did not always play on great teams, which probably kept him from more national attention. Inside Lions history, his production is impossible to ignore.

Doug English

Lions Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with Detroit, 4 Pro Bowls, standout defensive tackle.

Doug English was one of Detroit’s top defensive linemen of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He brought interior pressure and toughness to the Lions defense.

Four Pro Bowls from defensive tackle is a strong résumé. English belongs among the best defensive front players in franchise history.

Tier 4: Great Lions With Major Cases

Tier 4 includes Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ndamukong Suh, Dick LeBeau, Penei Sewell, and Herman Moore.

Tier 4 is where the modern Lions resurgence appears in a big way. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell represent the team’s recent rise, while Ndamukong Suh, Dick LeBeau and Herman Moore represent three different high-level Lions eras.

Jared Goff

Lions Stats & Accolades: 2021–present, Pro Bowl quarterback, led Detroit to its first division title in decades, key quarterback of the modern Lions rise.

Jared Goff has already changed the modern story of the franchise. After arriving in the Matthew Stafford trade, he went from bridge quarterback to long-term leader.

Goff helped deliver playoff wins and a division title, giving Detroit a level of relevance the franchise had waited decades to feel again. If he adds a Super Bowl appearance or title, he can climb much higher.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Lions Stats & Accolades: 2021–present, multiple Pro Bowls, First-Team All-Pro receiver, one of the defining offensive players of the Dan Campbell era.

Amon-Ra St. Brown is already one of the best receivers in franchise history. His route running, toughness, hands and attitude made him the perfect tone-setter for the modern Lions.

He does not have Calvin Johnson’s size or Herman Moore’s older-era profile, but his production has been elite. St. Brown can keep climbing if he stays healthy and keeps stacking All-Pro seasons.

Ndamukong Suh

Lions Stats & Accolades: 5 seasons with Detroit, 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year, multiple First-Team All-Pro selections, 36 sacks as a Lion.

Ndamukong Suh’s Lions peak was dominant. He arrived as a force immediately and gave Detroit one of the most feared interior defenders in football.

The tenure was shorter than some fans wanted, and the style was controversial at times. But Suh’s Detroit years were elite from a pure football standpoint.

Dick LeBeau

Lions Stats & Accolades: 14 seasons with Detroit, 62 interceptions, 3 Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame full-career legacy.

Dick LeBeau is often remembered as a legendary defensive coordinator, but he was a great Lions cornerback first. His 62 interceptions remain one of the strongest defensive résumés in franchise history.

LeBeau played with intelligence, ball skills and durability. His coaching fame should not overshadow how good he was in Detroit’s secondary.

Penei Sewell

Lions Stats & Accolades: 2021–present, multiple Pro Bowls, First-Team All-Pro tackle, foundational offensive lineman of the modern Lions.

Penei Sewell is already one of the best offensive linemen the franchise has had. His combination of size, movement, power and attitude is exactly what Detroit’s current identity is built around.

Sewell is young enough that his final all-time ranking could change a lot. If he keeps playing at an All-Pro level for the rest of the decade, he could eventually reach the upper tiers of Lions history and the broader best offensive linemen of all-time conversation.

Herman Moore

Lions Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with Detroit, 670 receptions, 9,174 receiving yards, 62 touchdowns, 4 Pro Bowls.

Herman Moore was the Lions’ top receiver during the Barry Sanders era and one of the best wideouts of the 1990s. He had size, hands and a huge catch radius before that phrase became common.

Moore’s 1995 season remains one of the best receiving years in team history. In a franchise with Calvin Johnson and Amon-Ra St. Brown, Moore still has a major receiving case.

Tier 3: Elite Lions Legends

Tier 3 includes Alex Karras, Doak Walker, Dick Lane, Charlie Sanders, and Lou Creekmur.

Tier 3 is loaded with Hall of Fame-level Lions history. It has defensive line personality, two-way old-school greatness, a legendary cornerback, the franchise’s best tight end and a championship offensive lineman.

Alex Karras

Lions Stats & Accolades: 12 seasons with Detroit, 4 Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle.

Alex Karras was one of the toughest and most colorful players in Lions history. He played defensive tackle with power, personality and a level of disruption that made him one of the league’s top interior defenders.

Karras later became famous outside football, but his Lions career stands on its own. He was a real defensive force.

Doak Walker

Lions Stats & Accolades: 6 seasons with Detroit, 2 NFL championships, 5 Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback and kicker.

Doak Walker was one of Detroit’s great all-purpose stars. He could run, catch, kick and produce points in several ways.

His career was short, but the championship impact was big. Walker was central to the Lions’ early-1950s success and remains one of the franchise’s most important old-school players.

Dick Lane

Lions Stats & Accolades: 6 seasons with Detroit, 21 interceptions as a Lion, multiple Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback.

Dick “Night Train” Lane is one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. His full legend includes other stops, but his Detroit years were still outstanding.

Lane played with rare physicality and ball skills. He was feared by receivers and respected across the league, making him a major name in Lions defensive history.

Charlie Sanders

Lions Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with Detroit, 7 Pro Bowls, 336 receptions, 4,817 receiving yards, Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end.

Charlie Sanders is the greatest tight end in Lions history. He brought athleticism and receiving ability to the position long before tight ends became featured weapons across the league.

Sanders was a smooth target and a consistent bright spot for Detroit. His Hall of Fame résumé makes him one of the franchise’s clearest offensive legends.

Lou Creekmur

Lions Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with Detroit, 8 Pro Bowls, 3 NFL championships, Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle and guard.

Lou Creekmur was one of the great offensive linemen of Detroit’s championship years. He could play tackle and guard, giving the Lions elite toughness and flexibility up front.

Three titles and eight Pro Bowls make the résumé powerful. Creekmur belongs in any serious Lions trenches conversation and in the wider best offensive linemen of all-time discussion.

Tier 2: Inner-Circle Lions Greats

Tier 2 includes Matthew Stafford, Lem Barney, Jack Christiansen, Dutch Clark, and Yale Lary.

Tier 2 is packed with franchise-defining talent. It has the all-time passing leader, Hall of Fame defensive backs, a pre-modern superstar and one of the greatest safety-punters the league has seen.

Matthew Stafford

Lions Stats & Accolades: Franchise-record 45,109 passing yards, franchise-record 282 passing touchdowns, 12 seasons with Detroit.

Matthew Stafford owns the Lions passing record book and gave Detroit elite arm talent for more than a decade. His production, toughness and late-game ability made him one of the most important players in franchise history.

Stafford did not get the playoff success in Detroit that fans wanted, but the résumé is massive. He was the quarterback who kept the franchise competitive through many unstable years and belongs in the broader best quarterbacks of all-time conversation.

Lem Barney

Lions Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with Detroit, 56 interceptions, 7 Pro Bowls, 1967 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback.

Lem Barney was one of the best cornerbacks in Lions history. He made an immediate impact as a rookie and kept producing turnovers for more than a decade.

Barney had ball skills, confidence and return ability. His Hall of Fame résumé makes him one of Detroit’s strongest defensive players ever.

Jack Christiansen

Lions Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with Detroit, 3 NFL championships, 46 interceptions, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back and returner.

Jack Christiansen was a key defensive back and return weapon during the Lions’ championship years. He could change games on defense and special teams.

His three championships matter because he was not just along for the ride. Christiansen was one of the stars of that era and one of the franchise’s most important defensive backs.

Dutch Clark

Lions Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with Portsmouth/Detroit, 1935 NFL champion, multiple First-Team All-Pro selections, Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Dutch Clark is one of the franchise’s earliest legends. He was a star before the modern NFL, playing quarterback, halfback, kicker and leader for the early Lions.

Clark’s era makes statistical comparisons difficult, but his dominance was real. He helped give the franchise its first championship identity.

Yale Lary

Lions Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with Detroit, 3 NFL championships, 50 interceptions, 9 Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame safety and punter.

Yale Lary was one of the great safeties and punters of his era. He gave Detroit field position, turnovers and high-level defensive back play.

Lary’s championship résumé and two-phase value make him one of the most complete players in Lions history. He belongs firmly in the franchise’s inner circle.

Tier 1: Greatest Detroit Lions Players Ever

Tier 1 includes Barry Sanders, Joe Schmidt, Bobby Layne, and Calvin Johnson.

Tier 1 is the top of Lions football. It has the franchise’s greatest running back, greatest linebacker, greatest championship quarterback and greatest wide receiver.

Barry Sanders

Lions Stats & Accolades: Franchise-record 15,269 rushing yards, 99 rushing touchdowns, 10 Pro Bowls, 6 First-Team All-Pro selections, 1997 NFL MVP, Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Barry Sanders is the greatest Detroit Lions player of all-time. His balance, vision, acceleration, cuts and ability to create something from nothing made him one of the most electric players football has ever seen.

Sanders retired while still at the top of his game, which only added to the legend. He carried Detroit’s offense for a decade and remains one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.

Joe Schmidt

Lions Stats & Accolades: 13 seasons with Detroit, 10 Pro Bowls, multiple First-Team All-Pro selections, 2 NFL championships, Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.

Joe Schmidt was the defensive leader of the Lions’ championship era. He played middle linebacker with intelligence, toughness and command before the position became as famous as it is now.

Schmidt later coached the Lions too, but his playing résumé is the main reason he sits in Tier 1. He is one of the greatest linebackers in franchise history and one of the most important Lions ever.

Bobby Layne

Lions Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with Detroit, 3 NFL championships, multiple Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.

Bobby Layne is the greatest championship quarterback in Lions history. He was tough, confident, fearless and built for late-game chaos.

Detroit has spent decades trying to recreate the kind of success Layne delivered in the 1950s. Three championships make his Lions case enormous, even if modern passing numbers belong to Stafford.

Calvin Johnson

Lions Stats & Accolades: Franchise-record 731 receptions, franchise-record 11,619 receiving yards, franchise-record 83 receiving touchdowns, 2012 single-season receiving yards record, Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Calvin Johnson is the greatest wide receiver in Lions history and one of the most physically dominant receivers ever. His size, speed, catch radius and deep-ball ability made “Megatron” almost impossible to cover.

Johnson’s 2012 season, when he set the NFL single-season receiving yards record, remains one of the greatest receiver seasons ever. Like Barry Sanders, his career ended earlier than fans wanted, but the peak was historic. He belongs high in any best wide receivers of all-time ranking.

Full Tier List Table: Best Detroit Lions Players of All-Time

Note: This is a tier list, not a strict ranking inside each tier. The tiers are ranked, but players within the same tier are grouped together in the same all-time Lions legacy range.

More NFC North All-Time Player Rankings

For more NFC North franchise rankings, check out our best Green Bay Packers players of All-Time, best Chicago Bears players of All-Time and best Minnesota Vikings players of All-Time rankings.

NFL Team All-Time Player Rankings Hub

You can also browse the full NFL team all-time player rankings hub to compare every franchise. The hub groups all 32 team rankings by division, making it easier to jump from the Lions list to any other NFL franchise history ranking.

FAQ: Best Detroit Lions Players of All-Time

Is this a ranked list or a tier list?

This is a tier list. The tiers are ranked, but the players inside the same tier are not ordered from best to worst.

Who is the greatest Detroit Lions player of all-time?

Barry Sanders is the greatest Detroit Lions player of all-time. He owns the franchise rushing record, won the 1997 NFL MVP, made 10 Pro Bowls and remains one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.

Who is in Tier 1 of the best Detroit Lions players of all-time tier list?

Tier 1 includes Barry Sanders, Joe Schmidt, Bobby Layne and Calvin Johnson. The players inside Tier 1 are grouped together in the highest Lions legacy range rather than ranked from first to fourth.

Who is the best quarterback in Detroit Lions history?

Bobby Layne has the strongest championship case as the best quarterback in Lions history, while Matthew Stafford owns the franchise passing records. Jared Goff is already one of the most important modern quarterbacks in Lions history.

Who is the best wide receiver in Lions history?

Calvin Johnson is the best wide receiver in Lions history. He owns the franchise records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and he set the NFL single-season receiving yards record in 2012.

Who is the best defensive player in Lions history?

Joe Schmidt has the strongest case as the best defensive player in Lions history because of his Hall of Fame career, All-Pro recognition and role in Detroit’s championship era. Lem Barney, Yale Lary, Jack Christiansen, Ndamukong Suh and Robert Porcher also have major defensive cases.

Who is the Lions all-time passing leader?

Matthew Stafford is the Lions’ all-time passing leader with 45,109 passing yards and 282 passing touchdowns.

Who is the Lions all-time rushing leader?

Barry Sanders is the Lions’ all-time rushing leader with 15,269 rushing yards.

Conclusion: Ranking the Greatest Lions Ever

The best Detroit Lions players of all-time list starts with Barry Sanders because his talent, production, peak and connection to the franchise are unmatched. Joe Schmidt, Bobby Layne and Calvin Johnson complete a top tier that covers Detroit’s championship defense, championship quarterback play and modern receiving greatness.

Behind them, the Lions still have serious depth: Matthew Stafford, Lem Barney, Jack Christiansen, Dutch Clark, Yale Lary, Alex Karras, Doak Walker, Dick Lane, Charlie Sanders, Lou Creekmur, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Ndamukong Suh, Herman Moore, Chris Spielman, Frank Ragnow, Jason Hanson and many more.

The key thing to remember is that this is a tier list. Tier 1 sits above Tier 2, Tier 2 sits above Tier 3 and so on, but the players inside each tier are not ordered from best to worst. They are grouped by legacy range, franchise impact and all-time Lions value.

More NFL All-Time Player Rankings

For more all-time NFL rankings, check out our best wide receivers of all-time, best quarterbacks of all-time, best running backs of all-time, best offensive linemen of all-time and best defensive players of all-time rankings. You can also follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.