Earlier in the week, we continued our rankings of the 2026 Detroit Lions roster and got to what I believe is the first part of the roster bubble. The Lions’ roster is deeper than most teams’, so even those players we ranked between 61-70 could make the 53-man roster. Even if they don’t, many are likely destined for the practice squad, and we’ve seen countless of those players get the call-up midseason and make an impact.
In our next installment—players we ranked 60-51—we get into some players who
will inevitably make the 53-man roster or almost assuredly the practice squad.
Previously:
60. DT Chris Smith (Highest: 56 Lowest: 65)
Last year’s ranking: 70
Smith has quietly hung around the Lions organization since 2023. That alone shows the Lions’ commitment to the 26-year-old defender. In fact, he even made Detroit’s initial 53-man roster last year. However, he’s only made five game appearances—and only played 47 snaps across those games (all in 2024). It wouldn’t be surprising if Smith makes the initial 53-man roster again, as Detroit’s depth on the interior defensive line is relatively thin.
59. OT Giovanni Manu (Highest 47; Lowest: 68)
Manu’s ranking is the lowest it’s ever been, and for good reason. With the Lions investing in both a new starting tackle (first-round pick Blake Miller) and an upgrade at OT3 (signing Larry Borom), Manu’s future with the team looks more in jeopardy than ever. In order to make the 53-man roster, he’ll have to try to convince the Lions he’s worth keeping at OT4 or expand his value to other positions. He’s already started taking a small amount of reps at guard in the spring.
58. RB Jacob Saylors (Highest: 47; Lowest: 70)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Lions fans were pretty shocked when Detroit opted to keep Jacob Saylors over Craig Reynolds in the middle of the 2025 season, but the former UFL running back proved his value on special teams. He ended up logging 281 special teams snaps—third-most on the team—and finished the season with eight tackles.
He’s still inexperienced as a running back, and the health of Sione Vaki could keep him off the field as a reserve offensive weapon, but Detroit clearly liked what he gave them on teams.
57. WR Tom Kennedy (Highest: 50; Lowest: 64)
Despite Kennedy being on the team since 2019, this is the highest ever ranking for Tom Kennedy. He may have only played in six games last year, but he finally proved he can be an asset on special teams. He finished second on the team in kick return yardage (447, behind Saylors) and first in kick return average (27.9) on 16 attempts.
His chances of making the 53-man roster are very real, particularly after the Lions lost rookie Kendrick Law to a torn ACL this summer—leaving a significant receiver and special teams role up for grabs.
56. CB Nick Whiteside (Highest: 50; Lowest: 66)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Whiteside is a fascinating player to track. He was a late addition to training camp amidst some cornerback injuries, then failed to make the team. But sitting on the practice squad, he ended up being needed for the legendary “Legion of Whom” game against the Buccaneers in 2025. With that opportunity, he thrived, producing three passes defended and an 83.9 PFF grade. However, after that game, he logged just 11 more defensive snaps for the rest of the season.
With Arnold’s release, there’s one more roster spot to be won in the cornerback room, but Whiteside will likely have to earn his spot through special teams with D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw, and maybe even rookie Keith Abney ahead of him on the depth chart.
55. DT Skyler Gill-Howard (Highest 51; Lowest: 64)
Last year’s ranking: N/A
Gill-Howard is a fantastic story and an inspirational player to follow. The Lions’ sixth-round pick, however, will have to broaden his skill set to find the field in his first season. While he should bring some much-needed pass rush juice to the interior defensive line, Detroit will want to ensure he’s not a liability in the run game before entrusting him with defensive snaps.
54. WR Dominic Lovett (Highest: 43; Lowest: 61)
Lovett has all the opportunity in the world to seize a significant role this year. After a quiet rookie season that involved just 14 offensive snaps and 50 on special teams, Detroit’s receiver depth chart beyond the top four is wide open. Lovett needs to evolve his special teams game beyond last year, meaning he’ll have to become a trusted returner, gunner, jammer, or other important specialist role. He’ll have to contend with the likes of Kennedy, Jackson Meeks, the four UFL players signed at the end of Mandatory Minicamp, and…
53. WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (highest: 42; Lowest: 60)
Last year’s rankings: N/A
The Lions quietly added Wilson midway through their offseason program in May. The seven-year veteran brings loads of experience to Detroit’s depth, appearing in at least 10 games in each of the last six years. That said, he only has a single season with more than 300 receiving yards, and his special teams experience is just modest. He’s played more than 60 snaps on special teams just twice in his career (2020: 89; 2024: 138). He’ll either have to expand his role there or prove his receiving skills on offense are too good to lose.
52. DT Mekhi Wingo (Highest: 48; Lowest: 56)
Wingo has fallen to the lowest ranking of his young career, even lower than his rookie year (50) as a sixth-round pick. That’s likely because of a terribly disappointing 2025 season where he logged just 59 snaps on defense. He got an opportunity early in the year, and then the Lions shelved him until the relatively meaningless finale. Not a good sign.
Yet opportunity awaits Wingo. There’s a need for an interior defender who’s got some explosiveness and twitchiness. But now he’ll have to contend with Gill-Howard (among others) for a spot on the roster.
51. EDGE Payton Turner (Highest: 39; Lowest: 63)
Last year’s rankings: N/A
A former first-round pick, Turner has seen injuries zap the potential of his football career. The Lions are clearly hoping there’s something left, and believe they may be able to find that potential much like they did with Charles Harris a few years back.
But Turner will have to survive a revitalized defensive end room that now features DJ Wonnum and second-round pick Derrick More. Not to mention the very hungry Ahmed Hassanein.
