ESPN just dropped its ultimate 53-man NFL roster celebrating the best players from the past 25 years — and Detroit Lions fans can proudly say they’re on the board. Analysts Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder crafted a Quarter Century Team that spans legends, dynasties, and generational talents. The big headline for Detroit: Calvin Johnson is the only Lion to crack the list.
Let’s break it down.
TL;DR: Only One Lion Makes the List
ESPN’s 53-man NFL Quarter Century Team highlights top players from 2000 to 2025
Calvin Johnson is the sole Detroit Lions representative on the roster
The rest of the team is stacked with all-time greats like Tom Brady, Aaron Donald, and Patrick Mahomes
No Lions coaches or additional players made the main roster or the practice squad
Johnson’s record-breaking career in Detroit earns him a rightful place among NFL royalty
Megatron Stands Alone for Detroit
Calvin Johnson is no stranger to elite company, but on this list, he’s flying solo as the only Detroit Lion included. Johnson, who played from 2007 to 2015, delivered a jaw-dropping career that peaked in 2012 when he set the NFL single-season receiving yards record with 1,964. Despite Detroit’s struggles during his tenure — including the infamous 0-16 season — Johnson thrived, routinely putting up massive numbers regardless of who was under center.
ESPN’s Seth Walder put it best:
“What’s most amazing about Johnson is what he did without Matthew Stafford as his QB… During Detroit’s infamous 0-16 season in 2008, Johnson managed 1,331 yards with Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper and Jon Kitna at quarterback.”
The Company He Keeps
The rest of the wide receiver group is a who’s-who of NFL legends:
Randy Moss
Julio Jones
Terrell Owens
Marvin Harrison
Justin Jefferson
Johnson holds his own among them, especially when it comes to peak dominance. His physicality, speed, and jaw-dropping catch radius made him virtually unguardable in his prime.
Other Lions greats — like Matthew Stafford — didn’t make the cut. The roster leaned heavily on advanced metrics like DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) and EPA (expected points added), rewarding both longevity and peak performance.
Who Built the Quarter Century Team?
The selection panel consisted of two respected football minds: Aaron Schatz, the creator of DVOA and founder of FTN Fantasy, and Seth Walder, ESPN’s analytics guru. Together, they created a 53-man roster (plus a 17-man practice squad) using modern statistical tools and historical impact to guide their decisions.
The team includes:
Quarterbacks (3)
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Patrick Mahomes
Running Backs (3)
Priest Holmes
Christian McCaffrey
Derrick Henry
Fullback (1)
Kyle Juszczyk
Wide Receivers (6)
Randy Moss
Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)
Julio Jones
Terrell Owens
Marvin Harrison
Justin Jefferson
Tight Ends (3)
Rob Gronkowski
Travis Kelce
Tony Gonzalez
Offensive Line (9)
Left Tackles:
Joe Thomas
Trent Williams
Left Guards:
Alan Faneca
Steve Hutchinson
Center:
Jason Kelce
Right Guards:
Zack Martin
Marshal Yanda
Right Tackles:
Lane Johnson
Willie Anderson
Edge Rushers (4)
Demarcus Ware
Jared Allen
Myles Garrett
Julius Peppers
Defensive Tackles (3)
Aaron Donald
Calais Campbell
Chris Jones
Nose Tackle (1)
Vince Wilfork
Versatile DL (1)
Linebackers (5)
Ray Lewis
Bobby Wagner
Brian Urlacher
Lavonte David
Luke Kuechly
Cornerbacks (5)
Darrelle Revis
Champ Bailey
Ronde Barber
Richard Sherman
Patrick Peterson
Safeties (4)
Ed Reed
Troy Polamalu
Brian Dawkins
Earl Thomas III
Special Teams (5)
Kicker: Justin Tucker
Punter: Shane Lechler
Return Specialist: Devin Hester
Special Teamer: Matthew Slater
Long Snapper: Morgan Cox
Coaching Staff (4)
Head Coach: Bill Belichick
Offensive Coordinator: Kyle Shanahan
Defensive Coordinator: Wade Phillips
Special Teams Coordinator: Dave Toub
The Bottom Line
While it’s a little disheartening that only one Detroit Lion made the cut, Calvin Johnson’s inclusion is a badge of honor for a player who carried an entire franchise on his shoulders for nearly a decade. The fact that he stood out despite team struggles speaks volumes about his individual greatness.
Detroit may not have been dominant over the past 25 years, but Megatron sure as hell was.