As part of its league-wide NFL training camp previews, ESPN took a look at the biggest storyline facing the Lions headed into the 2026 season.
ESPN's Eric Woodyard also highlighted three Lions players to watch, two key position battles and discussed Detroit's first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
ESPN also offered an initial 53-man roster projection as the Lions head into its 2026 training camp
.Here's how ESPN sees the Lions' 53-man roster shaking out prior to training camp:
ESPN's 53-man roster projection for the Lions
- QB (2): Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater
- RB (3): Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki
- WR (5): Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett
- TE (4): Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Jackson Meeks, Tyler Conklin
- OL (9): Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Cade Mays, Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier, Ben Bartch, Juice Scruggs
- DL (5): Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo, Tyleik Williams, Ahmed Hassanein, Skyler-Gill Howard
- EDGE (4): Aidan Hutchinson, Derrick Moore, Payton Turner, DJ Wonnum
- LB (5): Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, Trevor Nowaske, Jimmy Rolder
- CB (7): D.J. Reed, Nick Whiteside, Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Roger McCreary, Khalil Dorsey, Keith Abney II
- S (6): Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Avonte Maddox, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper
- Specialists (3): Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Taking a look around the Lions beat, Dave Birkett shared his 53-man roster projection for the Lions in June after minicamp. It was before Terrion Arnold's arrest and subsequent release. With Arnold no longer a part of the Lions' organization, that would open up a roster spot
for somebody.
Still, here's some of the key differences between Birkett's June projection and Woodyard's July 53-man roster projection for ESPN.
Birkett projects Tom Kennedy in place of Dominic Lovett as the Lions' fifth receiver on its 53-man roster. In the only other difference between Birkett's 53-man roster projection and ESPN, Birkett projects the Lions to carry just three tight ends. Jackson Meeks was the odd-man out at tight end on Birkett's 53-man roster projection.
Combining the interior defensive linemen with the Lions' edge rushers, Birkett projects the Lions to carry 10 defensive linemen as compared to the nine that Woodyard projects with ESPN. Birkett has Levi Onwuzurike, Jay Tufele and Tyler Lacy making the 53-man roster and Mekhi Wingo and Ahmed Hassanein as two of the Lions' roster cuts.
Birkett has the Lions carrying six linebackers, adding Damone Clark to the 53-man roster. In the secondary, Birkett has Branch projected to the PUP list and Detroit carrying 10 other defensive backs. Birkett didn't include either Nick Whiteside or Avonte Maddox in his 53-man roster projection. After Arnold's release, that would open up a spot on the 53-man roster for one of the two.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN shares Lions 53-man roster projection entering training camp
