Over the past few weeks, I’ve been rolling out my annual Detroit Lions training camp preview articles, highlighting the camp battles and questions surrounding each position group. With the series coming to its conclusion, and training camp just days away from starting, now is the ideal time for me to share my perspective on the team’s 90-man roster.
While there is still a ton to be settled with this roster over the next month, this 53-man roster projection is how I believe the Lions would enter the regular
season if it started tomorrow. As training camp and the preseason progress, I’ll be updating my projection as the Lions get closer to NFL cutdowns on August 30. But for now, here’s how I see the roster ahead of training camp.
Quarterbacks (2)
QB Jared Goff
QB Teddy BridgewaterQB Luke Altmyer
Training camp preview: Can Luke Altmyer force a QB3 role?
Altmyer has a steep hill to climb in order to crack the 53-man roster; he’ll either need to jump Bridgewater on the depth chart or convince coaches to keep a QB3 on a loaded roster where spots are at a premium. For now, I’m staying chalk and sticking with the two expected quarterbacks.
Running backs (4)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
RB Isiah Pacheco
RB Sione Vaki
RB Jacob SaylorsRB Kye Robichaux
RB Jabari Small
Training camp preview: How RB roles could shift in 2026
Gibbs is expected to expand his RB1 role this season, which opens the door for Pacheco to take on some special teams duties and could result in fewer running backs needed. However, running backs fit a unique role that special teams coordinator Dave Fipp prefers; therefore, I am expecting the Lions to stick with four backs.
Wide receivers (5)
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR Jameson Williams
WR Isaac TeSlaa
WR Greg Dortch
WR Dominic LovettWR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
WR Jackson Meeks
WR Tom Kennedy
WR Tay Martin
WR Lawrence Keys
WR Lucky Jackson
WR Tarik Black
WR Malik Cunningham
IR (season-ending): Kendrick Law
Training camp preview: WR depth roles up for grabs
On the surface, sticking with only five receivers goes a bit against the norm, but when you explore their usage—especially on game days—it lines up more than you might think. After the first four in this section, I have a lot of questions, but I’m not sure the Lions are ready to give up on Lovett just yet, so I went with him as WR5. Can Wilson, Meeks, or Kennedy convince me to keep a sixth? I’m open to the possibility.
Tight ends (3)
TE Sam LaPorta
TE Brock Wright
TE Tyler ConklinTE Miles KitselmanTE Zach Horton
TE Thomas Gordon
Training camp preview: How many TEs will make the roster?
Despite Conklin starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, I am still expecting him to slide into the Lions’ TE3 role. His absence will open the door for Kitselman, and the more time Conklin is out, the more time the rookie has to impress. These circumstances could result in a switch at TE3 or maybe even the Lions considering keeping a TE4. For now, I’m sticking with the most common expectations.
Offensive tackles (3)
OT Blake Miller
OT Penei Sewell
OT Larry BoromOT Giovanni Manu
OT Devin Cochran
Training camp preview: Can Blake Miller win the starting RT job?
During coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes’ time in Detroit, the Lions have started the season with only three offensive tackles on their roster, except for 2024, when Manu was a rookie whom they were developing. Now entering year three, Manu’s development is at a crossroads: prove you can earn a spot as a reliable offensive lineman, or we’ll take the risk you pass through waivers and will place you on the practice squad.
Interior offensive linemen (6)
RG Tate Ratledge
LG Christian Mahogany
C Cade Mays
G Ben Bartch
G/T Miles Frazier
C/G Juice ScruggsC Seth McLaughlinG/T Colby SorsdalC/G Michael NieseG Melvin Priestly
G/T Mason Miller
Training camp preview: How quickly will Cade Mays adapt to scheme?
The Lions spent the offseason prioritizing upgrading and deepening the interior offensive line. They’ve developed their youth, spent money at center, traded for depth, and sought out a veteran for competition. At this time, I am not expecting them to back off any of their investments, leading to them keeping six and keeping the competitions going all season.
Defensive tackles (6)
DT Alim McNeill
DT Tyleik Williams
DL Levi Onwuzurike
DL Tyler Lacy
DT Skyler Gill-Howard
NT Jay TufeleDT Mekhi WingoDT Chris Smith
DT Myles Adams
NT Aidan Keanaaina
DL Tyre West
Training camp preview: DT has upgraded starters, questionable depth
Based on the Lions’ roster moves on the defensive line, I am expecting some tweaks to how the Lions’ defensive front is deployed. As I touched on in my preview article, the Lions have the option to shift away from a dedicated nose tackle to a more flexible interior, while still leaning on unique fronts, like incorporating a “Big” defensive end. After the Lions’ top three interior players, I selected three players that I believe will fill situational roles, including Lacy at big end, Gill-Howard as a pass-rushing interior tackle, and Tufele as a reserve nose tackle. Those final three roles should be up for grabs in camp.
Edge defenders (4)
EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
EDGE DJ Wonnum
EDGE Derrick Moore
EDGE Payton TurnerEDGE Ahmed Hassanein
EDGE Anthony Lucas
EDGE Eric O’Neill
Training camp preview: 4 big questions at the EDGE
The Lions were more aggressive than usual in securing pass rushing options opposite Hutchinson, and the first three players are locked into the roster and likely starting rotation. Beyond those three, I think the Lions will still want a bit more juice for depth and situational purposes. Because of that, I gave the nod to Turner for the EDGE4 role, but I am far from convinced that he will keep the job by the end of camp. First, he’ll need to stay healthy, and second, he’ll need to fend off a group of highly motivated young players.
Linebackers (6)
LB Jack Campbell
LB Derrick Barnes
LB Malcolm Rodriguez
LB Jimmy Rolder
LB Trevor Nowaske
LB Damone Clark
LB Troy ReederLB Erick Hunter
LB Joe Bachie
Training camp preview: Adapting the LB room
To see what the Lions linebacker room might look like in 2026 without Alex Anzalone, I went back and studied Week 18 against the Bears, when Anzalone was out due to a concussion. What I saw was Campbell performing typical MIKE duties, while also expanding into coverage over the tight end, Barnes working at the SAM, WILL, and MIKE when Campbell was in coverage, Rodriguez taking on a WILL role, and Nowaske finding the field in a specialized role when the Lions wanted two linebackers at the line-of-scrimmage (essentially deploying two SAM roles about 10% of snaps).
While I am not expecting a carbon copy for this year’s group, last year’s Week 18 game did open my eyes to the options the Lions have. What I learned from that game, plus how the roster was constructed this offseason, has led me to believe all four returning linebackers could return to their roles, the investment in Rolder means they keep a fifth, and the emphasis on linebackers on special teams opens the door for Clark to grab a sixth role.
Cornerbacks (6)
CB D.J. Reed
CB Rock Ya-Sin
CB Roger McCreary
CB Ennis Rakestraw
CB Keith Abney
CB Khalil DorseyCB Nick Whiteside
CB De’Shawn Rucker
DB Aamaris Brown
Training camp preview: Nickel sets mean more opportunities for CBs
Heading into camp, I have Reed, Ya-Sin, and McCreary in starting roles, Rakestraw as the biggest challenger for a starting job, Abney a potential surprise riser, and Dorsey a key special teams ace. I would have loved to keep a seventh—either saving a spot for a signed veteran not currently on the roster, or an upside youth player—but it’s hard to justify with the other needs on the roster right now.
Safeties (5)
S Kerby Joseph
S Thomas Harper
S Christian Izien
S Avonte Maddox
S Chuck ClarkS Dan Jackson
S Loren Strickland
PUP list: S Brian Branch
Training camp preview: Overcoming injuries at safety
Branch and Joseph were placed on the PUP list ahead of training camp, and while the expectations are that Branch remains there at the beginning of the season, I do anticipate Joseph being removed so he can test his knee. Once removed, Joseph will need to remain on the roster, and with the health of his knee in question, I felt the need to keep an additional four safeties. Though I went with the four I expect to challenge for a starting role while Branch is out, I could also see Jackson or Strickland’s special teams production prove more valuable than keeping a veteran like Clark or Maddox, who may end up being a bit redundant.
Specialists (3)
K Jake Bates
P Jack Fox
LS Hogan Hatten
With no competition on the roster, this trio can move through camp stress-free.
