The Detroit Lions started out a solid 7-4 back in 2025, and it seemed like the NFC North division title and yet another playoff berth was in reach, but the team pretty much collapsed down the stretch, finished the season just 2-4, and missed the playoffs. This brutal ending made the 2026 NFL Offseason that much more important.
Thanks to mounting injuries and a below-average defense, Detroit's uber-talented roster and elite offense were on the couch for most of January. What made last season so frustrating, along with the injuries, was seeing the Chicago Bears break out and shock the NFL world.
As the 2026 season slowly approaches, the Lions might not be able to cruise back to the top of the division, but you simply cannot argue with just how solid of a group this front office has assembled, and that was reflected in some recent NFL roster rankings.
Detroit Lions roster gets a glowing review as NFL Free Agency continues
Moe Moton ranked the Lions roster as the 6th-best in the NFL as free agency rolls on:
"The Detroit Lions are in the No. 6 slot above the Chicago Bears, and it's not because they swept their 2025 season series with them. Detroit's roster underachieved last year due to subpar coaching and injuries. The Lions missed the playoffs, but they should bounce back in 2026 thanks to their talent on both sides of the ball.
Midway through the previous campaign, Lions head coach Dan Campbell took play-calling duties from former offensive coordinator Johnnie Morton, but under his tutelage, Detroit's offense struggled in the last two weeks of the season, scoring 29 points in total.
With two-time All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs and explosive wide receiver Jameson Williams, the Lions should be able to move the ball on critical downs.
Detroit was 20th in third-down conversions last year. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will have the playmakers to help the team improve in that particular area. Tight end Sam LaPorta's return from injury will also provide a boost.
Defensively, the Lions certainly missed their elite safety duo, specifically late in the season when All-Pro Kerby Joseph and Pro Bowler Brian Branch sat out because of injuries. With them back on the field, Detroit's secondary should be stingier in coverage. Two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson won't have to disrupt opposing aerial attacks alone.
Keep in mind that linebacker Jack Campbell is coming off an All-Pro year with 176 tackles (nine for loss), five sacks, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
The Lions' top-tier talent is more polished in terms of accolades than the Bears' lead players on the depth chart."
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Moton's assessment here is right on the nose. The Lions issue has never been roster talent, as General Manager Brad Holmes has cemented himself as one of the best GMs in the league, hitting on a ton of NFL Draft picks.
This offseason, Holmes has worked to fill in the gaps on both sides of the ball, making solid deals like signing Cade Mays to play center, re-signing cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, and adding a ton of complementary players in Isiah Pacheco, Tyler Conklin, D.J. Wonnum, and Roger McCreary.
It's easy to say that the team simply needs to stay healthier in 2026, but that's really what this team needs to do. There is only so much talent that an NFL front office can realistically bring it, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a major roster weakness on this roster.
Ideally, though, you'd love to see the front office find another pass-rusher, and it might not hurt to bring in another tackle. However, from top to bottom, this is one of the league's best roster, and the urgency for the Lions to get back to the top of the NFC North is higher than ever, as the entirety of the division finished with a winning record in 2025.
There are a ton of other front offices that would kill to be in the position that the Lions' roster is in. Sure, you can be frustrated with some of the moves that Holmes has made, but the big picture here is awesome, and no one would be shocked, frankly, if the Lions bounced back in 2026 and won the NFC North.