The Detroit Lions have quietly turned into an All-Pro factory.
Since taking over in 2021, general manager Brad Holmes has drafted and signed multiple players that would earn All-Pro votes. It started slow with just Kalif Raymond getting a nod in 2022, but that quickly exploded with five players in 2023, six in 2024, and four in 2025. Players like Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, and Jack Campbell are just a few of the players to have earned the lofty honors.
Entering 2026, the Lions
would love to add another new name to that All-Pro list. Which players could realistically earn that selection for the first time in their career?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Lions players could earn their first All-Pro nod in 2026?
My answers: Jahmyr Gibbs and Sione Vaki.
The Lions have a fair number of players who have the talent to earn All-Pro honors. Jared Goff would need an incredible season, but given the offense around him, it is not an impossible feat. On defense, Alim McNeill and Brian Branch have been elite players at certain points, yet they both face injury hurdles this upcoming season—McNeill needs to prove that he is recovered from his 2024 ACL tear, while Branch will need to rehab from his 2025 Achilles tear. Another name to watch could be Jake Bates, who has plenty of leg to make himself a top kicker in the NFL if he can rein in his accuracy.
However, I think the two strongest candidates are Gibbs and Vaki.
For Gibbs, the evidence is obvious. Already one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL, Gibbs enters 2026 as a potential bell cow running back following the departure of David Montgomery. If he can maintain his efficiency while adding to his carries and receptions, he could easily earn an All-Pro spot. The running backs that earned the Associated Press nods in 2025 were Bijan Robinson, James Cook, and Christian McCaffrey—you can certainly put Gibbs into the same category as those running backs. Additionally, Gibbs could stake a claim at the All-Purpose All-Pro position thanks to his ability as a runner and pass catcher.
For Vaki, the evidence is more questionable but still compelling to me. Vaki has done little on offense in his career, tallying just seven carries across 27 career games. However, Vaki’s greatest asset—and arguably the reason why the Lions drafted him in the fourth round—is his special teams ability. He is already the best special teamer on the Lions roster and he could very well work his way into the best in the league conversation. His background gives him a unique advantage in special teams coverage, pairing his running back vision and agility with his safety tackling prowess.
Working in Vaki’s favor is that special teams All-Pros have rarely repeated in recent years. Since 2021, only one player, J.T. Gray, has earned multiple All-Pro nods. Special teamers are rarely household names, but Vaki makes both consistent plays to appease analysts and explosive plays to appease viewers. We would love for his role at running back to grow, but at the very least, he is a weapon on special teams. Vaki may also factor into the kickoff return conversation, another avenue for him to earn accolades (albeit a big leap, given the mere four returns to his name).
Which Lions players could earn themselves an All-Pro spot for the first time in their career? Let us know in the comments below.
