Defense (Base 4-3)
Left defensive end:
Aidan Hutchinson
That's it. Hutchinson is all alone after Muhammad's departure, at least on the left side of the line. It's obvious that Detroit is going to make a move for an additional edge to back up him up, because it would be malpractice to not address that hole. The draft, especially in the first round, would offer a good solution here for cheap.
Left defensive tackle:
Alim McNeill
Tyleik Williams
Mekhi Wingo
This could be the biggest boom or bust group for the Lions headed into 2026. All three of these players can piece together a great year, helping with both pass rushing and with improving Detroit's poroous run defense.
Or, injuries could hamper them, holding them back from their full potential. There's less pressure on Williams to hit such high marks, but plenty on the shoulders of Wingo and McNeill.
Right defensive tackle:
Levi Onwuzurike
Chris Smith
Onwuzurike has, so far, survived the Lions' cap casualty list. Josh Paschal, another injured defensive lineman who's contract was tolled against the 2026 cap, was released. Onwuzurike looked poised for a great year in 2025, before tearing his ACL right ahead of the season.
He'll be looking to contribute to the Lions' pass rush again in 2026, health-willing. He'll presumably have a better ramp-up experience than McNeill did last year.
Right defensive end:
Tyler Lacy
Ahmed Hassanein
Again, we see the issue with this depth chart as it pertains to the Lions' pass rushers. We have never seen Hassanein play live, regular season NFL football, and Lacy is more of a decent backup at this position - not a starter. The Lions have to be blinded by such glaring holes on this roster right now, and either free agency or the draft will have to offer a solution to them at their price.
WILL linebacker:
Malcolm Rodriguez
Trevor Nowaske
Rodriguez was re-signed to a one-year prove it deal by the Lions, as he never really got a chance to regain his footing in 2025 following a torn ACL suffered in 2024. He's a really solid linebacker with tons of fans both in the Lions' locker room and throughout the fanbase, so a successful bounceback season from him would warrant a ton of praise - and more money.
Nowaske looked good in preseason in 2025, and is a fine backup to Rodriguez on this depth chart.
MIKE linebacker:
Jack Campbell
Again, you'd love to see the Lions address this hole up the middle. Campbell can genuinely do it all, but that feels like a nasty risk to take instead of simply adding some insurance behind him. Detroit will probably look to the draft to try and find a project linebacker somewhere in the 4th or 5th round, but nothing's suggested that they're considering this a major need in free agency.
SAM linebacker:
Derrick Barnes
Barnes shined next to Campbell, allowed to be more of a menace against the run while Campbell took care of the air and the ground. He's anticipated to have another great year for Detroit in 2026, but you'd love to see an additional SAM added to the roster as insurance.
Cornerback:
D.J. Reed
Terrion Arnold
Rock Ya-SIn
Khalil Dorsey
Nick Whiteside
Another solid room for the Lions despite losing Amik Robertson, Detroit has a great ceiling at cornerback if everyone can just stay healthy. Reed and Arnold had their moments in 2025...but those got completely outshined by how much time they missed. For Reed, there was a notable difference in how intensely he played after his hamstring injury, and it was even more magnified considering he had been the Lions' answer to losing Carlton Davis.
Ya-Sin was a great re-signing by Detroit after he had a great moment with the Legion of Whom in 2025, and Dorsey's shown the ability to also start in spurts.
Safety:
Brian Branch
Kerby Joseph
Dan Jackson
Christian Izien
Thomas Harper
Loren Strickland
Opposite to the Lions' cornerback situation, their safety room needs some work. Defensive back was an obvious weakness for them with Joseph missing so much time, and after Branch suffered a torn Achilles.
Izien can start in place of Branch while he rehabs and gets back to speed, but the Lions will either need an incredible level of play from Harper or a gem in the draft to replace him on the depth chart.
Nickelback:
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Roger McCreary
Rakestraw is another huge question mark for this Lions roster after two straight seasons of disappointment. The defensive back could be a huge help and lift for Detroit if he can stay healthy and be effective in coverage, but if not, he might be on the chopping block for Detroit as they continue to cut their losses on draft picks.
Roger McCreary also offers a legitimate threat to Rakestraw, as he has starters experience and has played solidly in that role. We don't know if he'll be a nickelback in the Lions' defense or not, but for now, we place him here just behind Rakestraw.