Some of the NFL’s biggest names play for the Detroit Lions.
Penei Sewell. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Aidan Hutchinson. Jared Goff. Jahmyr Gibbs. Jack Campbell.
The cast of star-level talent is so deep it extends even beyond that six-man core.
So, when the Free Press asked several Lions players which of their teammates is primed for a big season in 2026, some understandably struggled to choose just one.
“I can’t,” linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez said with a smile. “I’m gonna say everybody. You ain’t going to get me on that one.”
Cornerback Khalil Dorsey also couldn’t muster a response.
“That’s a broad kind of a thing, having to pick one,” Dorsey said. “I can’t think of one. So, I apologize.”
No worries.
[ Dave Birkett's game-by-game Lions predictions, stats, Super
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Seven of his teammates were able to single out one of their fellow Lions as a potential top performer in 2026, and explain why they expect that player to make a mark this year.
Their choices may surprise you.
Here they are:
CB D.J. Reed’s pick: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Why Reed picked St. Brown: “Him and Goff’s connection has definitely been better this training camp than it was last year, especially during one-on-ones with the fade routes they are running. It’s very hard to time up if they’re running back-shoulders or running fades. And just the late hands, releases, he feels very primed to have a big year."
LB Jack Campbell’s pick: LB Trevor Nowaske
Why Campbell picked Nowaske: “He’s tough. He’s dependable. He does everything the right way. Everything you ask him to do, he’s going to do it at a high level. I feel like he doesn’t get enough credit. I feel like people will see it on special teams, especially this year. I think he’ll turn into a star on that.”
DT Alim McNeill’s pick: DT Skyler Gill-Howard
Why McNeill picked Gill-Howard: “Skyler is gonna have a great year. And it’s simply off of his attitude, his mentality and how he attacks the game. We call him Mike Tyson. And that’s what he acts like. He acts like Mike Tyson. He doesn’t care who it is, who’s in front of him. He is going to run through you. He’s going to run around you. I think Sky is going to have a great year. … Everything I have seen from Sky has been amazing, especially for him to be a rookie.”
LB Derrick Barnes’ pick: DT Alim McNeill
Why Barnes picked McNeill: “Alim has been unbelievable this camp. Dominant. Quick. Fast. Just playing smart ball. Super excited to see him ball out. ... You can tell he’s not missing a beat. I’m super excited for him this season.”
TE Sam LaPorta’s picks: RT Blake Miller and EDGE Derrick Moore
Why LaPorta picked Miller and Moore: “I think both of our rookies have looked pretty composed throughout training camp so far. I think they’re due for a big year.”
S Thomas Harper’s pick: LB Jack Campbell
Why Harper picked Campbell: “I think he is gonna have another great year, I think he is going to do even better than he did last year. The way he comes to work every day it is no surprise. He looks a lot more fluid when he moves. His IQ has always been up there but now even more so. He is knowing what [defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard] is going to call before he even calls it."
CB Roger McCreary’s pick: S Chuck Clark
Why McCreary picked Clark: “He goes out there and makes plays. … They’re going to show up in the games.”
Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com. Follow him @RainerSabin on X.
For openers: Saints
Matchup: Lions (9-8 in 2025) vs. New Orleans (6-11); 2026 season opener.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13; Ford Field, Detroit.
TV/radio: Fox; WXYT-FM (97.1).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions pick teammates primed for big 2026: 'We call him Mike Tyson'
