As we creep up in our 2026 Detroit Lions roster ranking, we’re starting to reveal players who will undoubtedly play a part in writing the story of this year’s squad. We’re on players we ranked 70-61, and while that is not considered the true “roster bubble,” considering Detroit’s 53-man squad + 16-man practice squad equals 69 total players—it’s safe to say several of the names below will end up playing meaningful snaps for Detroit this year.
So let’s take a look at who eight people on the staff ranked
between 70 and 61 on the Lions’ 2026 roster.
Previously:
70. DT Jay Tufele (Highest: 63; Lowest: 70)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Tufele was a late signing this offseason to help navigate the nose tackle position after letting DJ Reader and Roy Lopez walk in free agency. The job won’t handed to Tufele, but he does has seven starts, 46 games, and over 760 defensive snaps of experience—including 473 in the last two years combined.
69. iOL Seth McLaughlin (Highest 62; Lowest: 78)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
McLaughlin is a fascinating young player. Just two years ago, he won the Rimington Trophy for college football’s best center in the country. But a torn Achilles late that season derailed his chances of getting drafted. And while he was cleared to practice shortly after the Cincinnati Bengals signed him as a UDFA, he didn’t make the team and spent his rookie season on the practice squad.
There was a path toward him making the roster here in Detroit, but it’s much more complicated after the Lions signed Cade Mays and traded for Juice Scruggs. He’ll likely start training camp on the outside looking in.
68. OL Colby Sorsdal (Highest: 60; Lowest, 78)
Last year’s ranking: 64
Sorsdal has dropped now for two consecutive seasons after ranking 40th on our 2024 list. The tough truth of the matter is that Sorsdal looked like he was going to miss the roster last year before an injury landed him on injured reserve.
This year, he’s getting work at offensive tackle, but that is going to be a tough path to the roster with Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, and Giovanni Manu likely all ahead of him right now.
67. DT Myles Adams (Highest: 64; Lowest: 71)
Last year’s ranking: 66
Adams pretty much stays where he was last year after spending all of 2025 on the practice squad with no call-ups. He’s got an outside chance to make the roster given Detroit’s relatively thin depth at defensive tackle, but at 28 years old and limited experience, time is running out for him to make an impression.
66. EDGE Anthony Lucas (Highest: 58; Lowest: 73)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Lucas made an impression at Lions minicamp by getting into a fist-throwing scuffle, but even before that, there was some hype of his potential as a rookie UDFA. Of Detroit’s entire UDFA class, he was the highest-ranked player according to the Consensus Big Board. He was a five-star recruit, as well. While he never lived up to that billing, the Lions are hoping they can tap into his athletic potential.
65. QB Luke Altmyer (Highest 57; Lowest: 72)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Altmyer has already been praised for his smarts and overwhelming confidence. Personally, I was impressed with some respectable arm strength, as well. But before we start anointing him a spot on the 53-man roster, Altmyer will have to show he can command an NFL offense during what is likely going to be a lengthy preseason stint.
64. S Loren Strickland (Highest: 63; Lowest: 70)
Last year’s rankings: 62
There was some hope that Strickland could develop into an impactful special teams player, but he’s been the victim of an overloaded depth chart. In the past two years alone, Detroit has added Dan Jackson, Thomas Harper, Avonte Maddox, Chuck Clark, and Christian Izien. That may be too much to overcome.
63. DT Tyre West (highest: 56; Lowest: 75)
Last year’s rankings: N/A
This is the first appearance of a player from the Lions’ 2026 draft class and it’s appropriately their final pick. It’s probably a good sign that a draft pick is this low on the countdown, pointing to strong depth. Draft picks have rarely been cut in their first year under Brad Holmes, but West will have to work for it.
62. WR Jackson Meeks (Highest: 55; Lowest: 72)
Meeks managed just two game appearances and a couple dozen special teams snaps his rookie season, but there is some renewed hope the 2025 undrafted player could find some success at tight end—where he’s been getting some work since the middle of last year.
But that is still very much a project, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions want Meeks to incubate for another season on the practice squad.
61. S Dan Jackson (Highest: 57; Lowest: 66)
Like Strickland, Jackson’s standing with the team has been hurt by the massive amount of safety additions. However, Jackson was a standout special teamer at Georgia, and Detroit is on the search for another four-core specialist. He’ll also be eager to find the field after missing his entire rookie season to injury.
