Lions’ cornerback and special teams ace Khalil Dorsey was having a strong year before an injury cut things short. Did he show enough to be brought back for 2025?
Next up in our Detroit Lions free agent series we have cornerback and special teams ace Khalil Dorsey.
Khalil Dorsey
Expectations heading into 2024
When Lions coach Dan Campbell talks about players buying into the culture that has been cultivated in Detroit, Dorsey is a great example of what he is talking about. Since signing to the practice squad back in December of 2022, Dorsey has steadily improved during his time with the organization.
After the 2022 season wrapped up, he signed a futures deal to stick around with the Lions. In 2023, he carved out a role on special teams—logging 295 snaps on the year, with another 80 snaps as a reserve cornerback.
With newcomers like cornerbacks Carlton Davis III, Amik Robertson, and rookie Terrion Arnold being added to the room, the expectation was for Dorsey to compete for a depth role at corner, while also serving as a core member of all special teams units.
Actual role in 2024
Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position
14 games (1 start)— 73 defensive snaps/270 special teams snaps. 8 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 5 special teams tackles.
PFF defense grade: 47.7 (did not meet minimum snap criteria for defensive rankings)
PFF run defense grade: 54.6
PFF tackling grade: 62.9
PFF coverage grade: 46.8
PFF special teams grade: 70.2
Before injuries took their toll all over the Lions’ defense, Dorsey’s role was very similar to his 2023 season. In year two with Detroit, he established himself as a certified special teams demon—particularly as a gunner on the punt coverage unit.
“Dorsey I think is, if not the best, one of the best gunners in this league,” Campbell said this year. “He’s always causing some type of disruption or a penalty.”
Along with All-Pro punter Jack Fox, Dorsey and the rest of that unit were frequently able to help the Lions flip the field on opponents when they opted to kick it away. Thanks in part to Dorsey, Fox set the NFL record for net punting yard average (46.2).
Defensively, Dorsey reprised his depth role, and earned one start during a Week 13 win over the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, Dorsey suffered a fractured leg in Week 15 that ended his season early, and further complicated the already dreadful injury-situation for the Lions’ defense.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously crushed for him,” said special teams coordinator Dave Fipp. “I mean, this guy’s an incredible player for us, obviously. Just watching the film this morning, even a rep of him on punt return holding up one of their gunners, did a great job for us. But he was a great player for us all year long obviously.”
Outlook for 2025
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Pros of re-signing
Dorsey is a proven commodity on special teams, and at 26 years old, someone who I still believe has some untapped upside as a defensive back. At the very least, if Dorsey can fully recover from the aforementioned leg injury, the Lions would know what they are getting from a productivity standpoint. A player that is a proven difference-maker on special teams, and someone that can provide quality depth at a position that seemingly always has a high attrition rate.
Cons of re-signing
This is another low-risk decision that Lions general manager Brad Holmes will have to make in the near-future. It is clear that the Lions like what Dorsey brings to the table, but could his roster spot go to someone who could potentially offer more on defense? These are a lot of the decisions that Holmes and his staff will have to make when filling out the last dozen or so spots on the roster.
Is there interest from both sides?
There hasn’t been anything said from Dorsey’s party, but given the role he has carved out for himself in Detroit, I have to imagine he would like to be back in 2025.
Cost?
In all likelihood, this would fall under the scope of a veteran-minimum salary, although it’s certainly possible Dorsey gets a small bump after a strong special teams year. Of course, that may depend on the status of his injury, too. Still, we’re talking somewhere likely in the $1-2 million range.
This is another player that I believe has done enough to earn a shot to compete for his prior role. Likely nothing will be guaranteed for him come August, but Dorsey worked himself from the practice squad to a core piece of this team when given the opportunity. And for a coaching staff that prides itself on competition being a major driving force behind their success, I would think a player like Dorsey will get the chance to continue his development.
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