A four time Pro Bowler, Ed Flanagan anchored the Detroit Lions Offensive Line for a decade and despite his Pro Bowls was not the most well known player in the NFL.  Still, Ed Flanagan was one of the most respected players amongst defensive players in the NFC and helmed the Center position better than most of his day.  Flanagan started all of his 139 Games with Detroit.

A member of the Detroit Lions for all thirteen of his NFL seasons, Larry Hand would come out of Appalachian State and for a Tenth Round pick would be incredible value for Detroit.  Hand may never have been named to a Pro Bowl, but he was named the Detroit Lions MVP, which he probably held in much higher regard than any Pro Bowl.

Gail Cogdill arrived in Detroit with a boom in 1960 as he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.  The Washington State alumni made three Pro Bowls as a Lion and caught over 5,000 Yards worth of passes, which was a very good number for the 1960s.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2010, Ndamukong Suh would quickly become one of the most dominating players in football.  Suh, who while he was known as a dirty player, was definitely one of the best in the business as he made the Pro Bowl four times and three First Team All-Pro Selections as a Lion.