One of the biggest problems the Detroit Lions have run into in the past few years is injuries. Detroit has had terrible luck in that department, being one of the most injured teams in football for three years running.
While teams can try to do everything within their power to prevent injuries—whether it be practicing habits, nutrition, strength and conditioning—the only tried and true method of protecting yourself against injuries is to build the best depth you can possibly have.
The Lions haven’t
had horrible depth in previous years, but it can always be improved. So let’s look at Detroit’s depth players only on the 53-man roster and practice squad and see if they’re in a better spot than they were in 2025.
Note: Players who started the season on IR/PUP/NFI are not included in the depth, but mentioned, if relevant.
Quarterback
2026:
- Josh Dobbs
- Luke Altmyer (PS)
2025:
- Kyle Allen
- C.J. Beathard
Is the depth better?
No. I don’t think so. Allen was a better backup than Dobbs, as identified by the fact that Allen went quickly in free agency, while Dobbs was cut this offseason and didn’t sign anywhere until August. That said, I do like the fact that Detroit now has a developmental backup in Luke Altmyer who showed enough to potentially be a long-term reserve option.
Running back
2026:
- Sione Vaki
- Jacob Saylors
- Jabari Small (PS*)
*For the sake of what I believe will happen, I’m assuming Small is coming back to the practice squad after some roster maneuvering
2025:
- David Montgomery
- Craig Reynolds
- Sione Vaki
- Jacob Saylors
Is the depth better?
Without a doubt, it is not. Isiah Pacheco was already a downgrade from Montgomery, and the fact that he will now miss at least the first four games of the season will hurt even more. There is certainly hope that Vaki and Saylors are better than the 2025 versions of themselves with another year in the system, but that improvement won’t make up the gap left by Montgomery’s departure.
Wide receiver
2026:
- Tay Martin
- Tom Kennedy (PS)
- Lucky Jackson (PS)
- Dominic Lovett (PS)
2025:
- Isaac TeSlaa (started behind Kalif Raymond)
- Dominic Lovett
- Ronnie Bell (PS)
- Tom Kennedy (PS)
- Jackson Meeks (PS)
Is the depth better?
Nope. Detroit went very light on wideouts in 2026, and the depth looks worse off for it. Letting Kalif Raymond walk and replacing him with Greg Dortch has already failed, as Dortch didn’t make the roster.
The Lions were also victimized by a season-ending injury to rookie receiver Kendrick Law, which would make this look a little better. But as it stands for the 2026 season, the Lions’ depth is clearly not great here. Hopefully the starters stay healthy.
Tight end
2026:
- Brock Wright
- Tyler Conklin
- Jackson Meeks
- Thomas Gordon (PS)
2025:
- Brock Wright
- Shane Zylstra
- Zach Horton (PS)
Is the depth better?
Yes! The 2026 Lions get their first edge from last year’s squad due almost exclusively to the addition of Conklin. That said, the evolution of Meeks also brings some additional hope. After dealing with serious injuries last year, Detroit is in a much better spot to withstand poor luck this season.
Offensive line
2026:
- OT Larry Borom
- OT Devin Cochran (PS)
- T/G Miles Frazier
- G Ben Bartch
- C Seth McLaughlin (PS*)
- G/C Mason Miller (PS)
*Again, I’m assuming McLaughlin returns to the practice squad
2025:
- OT Giovanni Manu
- OT Dan Skipper (PS)
- G Kayode Awosika
- G/C Kingsley Eguakun
- OL Mason Miller (PS)
- OL Trystan Colon (PS)
- OL Michael Niese (PS)
Is the depth better?
I would say emphatically yes. Borom is a huge upgrade at OT3 over Manu. Additionally, Bartch is a significant upgrade over Awosika as the first interior offensive lineman in. The Lions’ 2026 depth would look even better if Juice Scruggs was in a reserve position rather than having to be a starter with Cade Mays out.
Defensive line
2026:
- EDGE Derrick Moore
- EDGE Tyler Lacy
- EDGE Ahmed Hassanein
- EDGE Eric O’Neill
- DT Levi Onwuzurike
- DT Skyler Gill-Howard
- DT Mekhi Wingo
- EDGE Anthony Lucas (PS)
- DT Chris Smith (PS)
- DT Ben Stille (PS)
- DT Tyre West (PS)
2025:
- EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (Davenport wasn’t injured yet)
- EDGE Tyrus Wheat
- DT Roy Lopez
- DL Pat O’Connor
- DT Mekhi Wingo
- DT Chris Smith
- EDGE Isaac Ukwu (PS)
- EDGE Andre Carter (PS)
- DT Myles Adams (PS)
- DT Keith Cooper Jr. (PS)
Is the depth better?
I think it’s fair to say yes. While the Lions have a bunch of unknowns in Hassanein, Gill-Howard, and O’Neill, they also have significant investments in their reserves, including Derrick Moore (presumably behind DJ Wonnum) and Onwuzuruike.
Last year’s squad was devastated with early injuries. Remember there was no Alim McNeill, no Onwuzurike, and soon to be no Marcus Davenport, leaving Detroit perilously thin, especially on the outside.
Linebackers
2026
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (assuming Devin White starts for now)
- LB Jimmy Rolder
- LB Trevor Nowaske
- LB Joe Bachie (PS)
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (PS)
2025:
- LB Grant Stuard
- LB Trevor Nowaske
- LB Zach Cunningham
- LB Anthony Pittman (PS)
Is the depth better?
Again, I think this is a clear yes. Rodriguez brings a very capable starter (he was injured last year). Nowaske brings the same subpackage potential as last year, but with one more year of experience. Rolder brings some big potential and significant special teams skills. And Bachie and Ogbongbemiga have loads of experience both on defense and special teams.
Don’t get me wrong, Stuard and Cunningham were great depth players last year, but Detroit simply has more playable talent in the linebacker room this year.
Cornerback
2026:
- CB Ennis Rakestraw
- CB/NB Roger McCreary
- CB Khalil Dorsey
- CB Nick Whiteside (PS)
I’m assuming Christian Izien will be the primary nickel, and therefore not “depth”
2025:
- Rock Ya-Sin
- Khalil Dorsey
Amik Robertson was considered the starting nickel, so is not included among the depth
Is the depth better
Eh… it’s a toss up. They have more bodies and more competition, but having Ya-Sin as a depth player rather than the starter is a pretty big difference. Eventually, though, the 2025 squad saw its depth decimated. They had to add Whiteside, Arthur Maulet, and Kendall Fuller to the roster to help.
The depth wasn’t particularly good last year, and it’s not good this year, either. Take your pick.
Safety
2026:
- Thomas Harper
- Aamaris Brown (PS)
2025:
- Avonte Maddox
- Daniel Thomas
- Thomas Harper
- Erick Hallett (PS)
- Loren Strickland (PS)
Is the depth better?
Obviously not, but that comparison will obviously change drastically when (if?) Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph return from IR. Having Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox, and Thomas Harper in depth roles would be a phenomenal safety room, although Detroit may not have the roster spots for all of those players upon Branch’s and Joseph’s return.
The 2025 depth was actually pretty impressive, and they ended up needing it. So, I still think the Lions did a pretty good job maintaining that depth in 2026, even if it’s a downgrade from last year.
Overall
Well, they’ve gotten worse in four positions, gotten better in four positions, and there’s one toss-up. The most positive development is that they are deeper on both sides of the trenches, which could result in this team finding its identity again in 2026. Still, there are serious concerns in Detroit’s secondary, and with the thin reserves at skill positions.
