The Detroit Lions' training camp and preseason are concluded for 2026, and now, the toughest part of the offseason commences: roster cuts.
There were so many good battles in camp and the preseason this year, and it's what makes the job that head coach Dan Campbell and company have to do with this roster all the more unenviable.
Any choice they make runs the risk of upsetting a good portion of Lions fans, but ultimately, that speaks to how surprisingly deep this year's roster is after a "quiet" offseason in free agency and on the trade market.
Detroit has until 6pm EST tomorrow to make their final decisions and to get their roster to 53 players, just over 12 hours removed from their final preseason game. What direction will the team go with a Week 1 contest against the New Orleans Saints on the horizon?
Final Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction for the 2026 season
Specialists (3): Jake Bates (K), Jack Fox (P), Hogan Hatten (LS)
There was never a real competition for any of these three special teams mainstays for Detroit, although Bates turned some heads in Week 3 of the preseason with a penalty on a punt two badly missed extra point attempts.
Still, there doesn't appear to be a ton of urgency for the Lions to add anyone else to this room.
Defensive Linemen (5): Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Skyler Gill-Howard, Levi Onwuzurike, Chris Smith
Rookie defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard stormed onto the scene, earning a spot on the Lions' roster with a great preseason (1 sack, five quarterback hits) and hard work in training camp that did not go unnoticed. He edges out Mekhi Wingo here for the fifth spot on the defensive line.
Edge Rushers (5): Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Derrick Moore, Tyler Lacy, Ahmed Hassanein
Hassanein is another player like Gill-Howard who performed so well, and so consistently throughout training camp and preseason, that you can't leave him off this roster. This does leave Eric O'Neill on the outside looking in, which is unfortunate as the Rutgers product was extremely disruptive in pass protection for Detroit in preseason.
Inside Linebackers (5): Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Devin White, Trevor Nowaske, Joe Bachie
After Damone Clark was placed on the IR, it opened the door for Joe Bachie to net a spot on the Lions' roster. Bachie has been praised by Lions staff recently, telling reporters this past week:
"(He's) exactly what he was when he was coming out. Smart. Just a smart, crafty, all out linebacker, Can play all the spots as needed, (can play) special teams, and he has picked up where he left off from when I remember him. That's what he's been in this league. He's walked in the door and he's got a great grasp of this defense right now."
Devin White earns the nod here with rookie Jimmy Rolder out to begin the year, but it wouldn't be shocking to see one of Nowaske or Bachie victim to a cut once he's healthy.
Cornerbacks (8): D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Nick Whiteside, Keith Abney II, Roger McCreary, Khalil Dorsey, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Christian Izien
Rakestraw is one of the only players in this group that is still somewhat on the roster bubble. He did finish up his preseason with one interception, but you worry about his abilities in man coverage and his injury history, naturally.
Safeties (4): Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper
Aamaris Brown had been getting some looks at safety in their final preseason game and during training camp this past week, showing they're interested in testing out his versatility as a defensive back. He may earn a spot because of how thin their safety room is overall, but that would probably mean a cut in their linebacker room - Bachie being the obvious choice there.
Quarterbacks (2): Jared Goff, Josh Dobbs
Dobbs and rookie Luke Altmyer were in a competition headed into the teams' final preseason game for the QB2 role behind Goff. After the game, it was obvious that Dobbs had far more to offer by way of accuracy and arm strength than Altmyer. The veteran was always going to be the favorite to win this job, but it was a bit too close for comfort headed into the final day of preseason action.
Could we see a trade for a QB2 before the season begins? It could be worth it to keep an eye on that market in coming days, especially over in Indianapolis.
Running Backs (4): Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Jacob Saylors, Trayveon Williams
Pacheco's injury status feels a little murky headed into Week 1, although the Lions haven't suggested that he'll be on the IR to start off his Detroit career. That said, the team should feel pretty good about Saylors at RB2 in the interim - he posted a 100 rushing yard day against the Colts.
Williams fumbled a punt return against the Colts, but he had two touchdowns to add to his ongoing scoring spree in preseason. He notched three total scores over two games with the team, and averaged 6.3 yards per carry in the teams' final preseason game. His availability should push him into this rotation over Sione Vaki.
Wide Receivers (5): Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Tay Martin
Lucky Jackson made a final, inspiring push to make the Lions' roster in their last preseason game of the year, but it just felt a little too late. Tay Martin, on the other hand, has been a consistent contributor on special teams, as well as on offense. As SideLion Report's Bo Underwood wrote on Martin:
"If Martin is indeed a playmaker on special teams, it could put him over [Dominic] Lovett. Especially if Lovett continues to struggle with the drops that have reportedly been an issue in camp."
Tight Ends (3): Sam LaPorta, Tyler Conklin, Jackson Meeks
We edge Brock Wright out of the equation here as it feels genuinely impossible to envision a Lions roster without Meeks. Meeks has not only been great in preseason as a big receiving target, but a fantastic addition to the Lions' special teams unit as a gunner.
Offensive Linemen (9): Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, Tate Ratledge, Larry Borom, Blake Miller, Ben Bartch, Seth McLaughlin, Miles Frazier
With Cade Mays likely starting the year on the IR, Detroit brings on Scruggs and McLaughlin as their potential rotation at center while waiting on him to get healthy. They've also got Ratledge as an option there, but he's gained so much hype in preseason and training camp for his improvement at right guard, it feels like it'd be silly to move him around right now.
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