4. S Ifeatu Melifonwu
Melifonwu's breakout stretch late last season included these statlines in the Lions' three playoff games:
Wild Card Round, vs. Rams: three tackles, 75.2 overall PFF grade
Divisional Round, vs. Buccaneers: nine total tackles, one tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback pressures, two quarterback hits
NFC Championship Game, at 49ers: four total tackles, 0.5 sack, two quarterback pressures, one quarterback hit
Two injuries with corresponding stints on IR derailed Melifonwu's 2024 season, but he has been right back in a prominent role since making his season debut in Week 16. He is a legit weapon as a safety/linebacker hybrid for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, so his return to health has come at just the right time.
3. WR Kalif Raymond
Despite missing five games with a foot injury, Raymond led the league in total punt return yards during the regular season (413) along with having the third-best punt return average in the league (13.8 yards). He is also an underappreciated, and underused given all the other talent there is, weapon for the Lions' offense.
Raymond can tilt momentum and field position with his prowess as a punt returner. With only a touch or two on offense, he can do the same in big spots during a playoff game.