Over the past few weeks, I\u2019ve been rolling out my annual Detroit Lions training camp preview articles, highlighting the camp battles and questions surrounding each position group. With the series coming to its conclusion, and training camp just days away from starting, now is the ideal time for me to share my perspective on the team\u2019s 90-man roster.<\/p>\n
While there is still a ton to be settled with this roster over the next month, this 53-man roster projection is how I believe the Lions would enter the regular season if it started tomorrow. As training camp and the preseason progress, I\u2019ll be updating my projection as the Lions get closer to NFL cutdowns on August 30. But for now, here\u2019s how I see the roster ahead of training camp.<\/p>\n
QB Jared Goff
QB Teddy Bridgewater
QB Luke Altmyer<\/p>\n
Training camp preview: Can Luke Altmyer force a QB3 role?<\/a><\/p>\n Altmyer has a steep hill to climb in order to crack the 53-man roster; he\u2019ll either need to jump Bridgewater on the depth chart or convince coaches to keep a QB3 on a loaded roster where spots are at a premium. For now, I\u2019m staying chalk and sticking with the two expected quarterbacks.<\/p>\n RB Jahmyr Gibbs Training camp preview: How RB roles could shift in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Gibbs is expected to expand his RB1 role this season, which opens the door for Pacheco to take on some special teams duties and could result in fewer running backs needed. However, running backs fit a unique role that special teams coordinator Dave Fipp prefers; therefore, I am expecting the Lions to stick with four backs.<\/p>\n WR Amon-Ra St. Brown IR (season-ending): Kendrick Law<\/a><\/p>\n Training camp preview: WR depth roles up for grabs<\/a><\/p>\n On the surface, sticking with only five receivers goes a bit against the norm, but when you explore their usage\u2014especially on game days\u2014it lines up more than you might think. After the first four in this section, I have a lot of questions, but I\u2019m not sure the Lions are ready to give up on Lovett just yet, so I went with him as WR5. Can Wilson, Meeks, or Kennedy convince me to keep a sixth? I\u2019m open to the possibility.<\/p>\n TE Sam LaPorta Training camp preview: How many TEs will make the roster?<\/a><\/p>\n Despite Conklin starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list<\/a>, I am still expecting him to slide into the Lions\u2019 TE3 role. His absence will open the door for Kitselman, and the more time Conklin is out, the more time the rookie has to impress. These circumstances could result in a switch at TE3 or maybe even the Lions considering keeping a TE4. For now, I\u2019m sticking with the most common expectations.<\/p>\n OT Blake Miller Training camp preview: Can Blake Miller win the starting RT job?<\/a><\/p>\n During coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes\u2019 time in Detroit, the Lions have started the season with only three offensive tackles on their roster, except for 2024, when Manu was a rookie whom they were developing. Now entering year three, Manu\u2019s development is at a crossroads: prove you can earn a spot as a reliable offensive lineman, or we\u2019ll take the risk you pass through waivers and will place you on the practice squad.<\/p>\n Interior offensive linemen (6)<\/p>\n RG Tate Ratledge Training camp preview: How quickly will Cade Mays adapt to scheme?<\/a><\/p>\n The Lions spent the offseason prioritizing upgrading and deepening the interior offensive line. They\u2019ve developed their youth, spent money at center, traded for depth, and sought out a veteran for competition. At this time, I am not expecting them to back off any of their investments, leading to them keeping six and keeping the competitions going all season.<\/p>\n DT Alim McNeill Training camp preview: DT has upgraded starters, questionable depth<\/a><\/p>\n Based on the Lions\u2019 roster moves on the defensive line, I am expecting some tweaks to how the Lions\u2019 defensive front is deployed. As I touched on in my preview article, the Lions have the option to shift away from a dedicated nose tackle to a more flexible interior, while still leaning on unique fronts, like incorporating a \u201cBig\u201d defensive end. After the Lions\u2019 top three interior players, I selected three players that I believe will fill situational roles, including Lacy at big end, Gill-Howard as a pass-rushing interior tackle, and Tufele as a reserve nose tackle. Those final three roles should be up for grabs in camp.<\/p>\n EDGE Aidan Hutchinson Training camp preview: 4 big questions at the EDGE<\/a><\/p>\n The Lions were more aggressive than usual in securing pass rushing options opposite Hutchinson, and the first three players are locked into the roster and likely starting rotation. Beyond those three, I think the Lions will still want a bit more juice for depth and situational purposes. Because of that, I gave the nod to Turner for the EDGE4 role, but I am far from convinced that he will keep the job by the end of camp. First, he\u2019ll need to stay healthy, and second, he\u2019ll need to fend off a group of highly motivated young players.<\/p>\n LB Jack Campbell Training camp preview: Adapting the LB room<\/a><\/p>\n To see what the Lions linebacker room might look like in 2026 without Alex Anzalone, I went back and studied Week 18 against the Bears, when Anzalone was out due to a concussion. What I saw was Campbell performing typical MIKE duties, while also expanding into coverage over the tight end, Barnes working at the SAM, WILL, and MIKE when Campbell was in coverage, Rodriguez taking on a WILL role, and Nowaske finding the field in a specialized role when the Lions wanted two linebackers at the line-of-scrimmage (essentially deploying two SAM roles about 10% of snaps).<\/p>\n While I am not expecting a carbon copy for this year\u2019s group, last year\u2019s Week 18 game did open my eyes to the options the Lions have. What I learned from that game, plus how the roster was constructed this offseason, has led me to believe all four returning linebackers could return to their roles, the investment in Rolder means they keep a fifth, and the emphasis on linebackers on special teams opens the door for Clark to grab a sixth role.<\/p>\n CB D.J. Reed Training camp preview: Nickel sets mean more opportunities for CBs<\/a><\/p>\n Heading into camp, I have Reed, Ya-Sin, and McCreary in starting roles, Rakestraw as the biggest challenger for a starting job, Abney a potential surprise riser, and Dorsey a key special teams ace. I would have loved to keep a seventh\u2014either saving a spot for a signed veteran not currently on the roster, or an upside youth player\u2014but it\u2019s hard to justify with the other needs on the roster right now.<\/p>\n S Kerby Joseph Training camp preview: Overcoming injuries at safety<\/a><\/p>\n
RB Isiah Pacheco
RB Sione Vaki
RB Jacob Saylors
RB Kye Robichaux
RB Jabari Small<\/p>\n
WR Jameson Williams
WR Isaac TeSlaa
WR Greg Dortch
WR Dominic Lovett
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
WR Jackson Meeks
WR Tom Kennedy
WR Tay Martin
WR Lawrence Keys
WR Lucky Jackson
WR Tarik Black
WR Malik Cunningham<\/p>\n
TE Brock Wright
TE Tyler Conklin
TE Miles Kitselman
TE Zach Horton
TE Thomas Gordon<\/p>\n
OT Penei Sewell
OT Larry Borom
OT Giovanni Manu
OT Devin Cochran<\/p>\n
LG Christian Mahogany
C Cade Mays
G Ben Bartch
G\/T Miles Frazier
C\/G Juice Scruggs
C Seth McLaughlin
G\/T Colby Sorsdal
C\/G Michael Niese
G Melvin Priestly
G\/T Mason Miller<\/p>\n
DT Tyleik Williams
DL Levi Onwuzurike
DL Tyler Lacy
DT Skyler Gill-Howard
NT Jay Tufele
DT Mekhi Wingo
DT Chris Smith
DT Myles Adams
NT Aidan Keanaaina
DL Tyre West<\/p>\n
EDGE DJ Wonnum
EDGE Derrick Moore
EDGE Payton Turner
EDGE Ahmed Hassanein
EDGE Anthony Lucas
EDGE Eric O\u2019Neill<\/p>\n
LB Derrick Barnes
LB Malcolm Rodriguez
LB Jimmy Rolder
LB Trevor Nowaske
LB Damone Clark
LB Troy Reeder
LB Erick Hunter
LB Joe Bachie<\/p>\n
CB Rock Ya-Sin
CB Roger McCreary
CB Ennis Rakestraw
CB Keith Abney
CB Khalil Dorsey
CB Nick Whiteside
CB De\u2019Shawn Rucker
DB Aamaris Brown<\/p>\n
S Thomas Harper
S Christian Izien
S Avonte Maddox
S Chuck Clark
S Dan Jackson
S Loren Strickland<\/p>\n