As we await the Detroit Lions' final preseason contest of 2026, and the NFL's looming cutdown day tomorrow, there are a few positional battles from this offseason that feel fairly wrapped up.
Headed into this year, there were plenty of questions at left guard, cornerback, nickelback, and starting edge rusher next to Aidan Hutchinson. Headed into the Lions' final preseason game, those four positional battles are basically settled, with some bubble players at those positions potentially at risk of getting cut as a result.
4 Lions players that have already won positional battles ahead of cutdown day
EDGE2: DJ Wonnum
Wonnum had a really great preseason outing against the Washington Commanders, although we have to add the disclaimer that Washington's offensive line is currently being held together by a couple of safety pins and Elmer's glue. Still, it was nice to see him pop off the screen and be a consistent disruptor in his snaps.
With rookie Derrick Moore once again injured, per head coach Dan Campbell, Wonnum has locked up the starting edge rusher role next to Hutchinson headed into the season. Maybe that'll be re-litigated once Moore is healthy again, but Wonnum has been available this offseason. That's gold for Detroit.
On the bubble here are Eric O'Neill, Anthony Lucas, and potentially Tyler Lacy. More than likely, Lacy will survive cutdown day, with O'Neill and Lucas let go. O'Neill had great moments in preseason, though, so it'd be nice to see him return to the practice squad.
CB2: Rock Ya-Sin
While Nick Whiteside might've been making a solid push to leapfrog Ya-Sin on the depth chart, Ya-Sin seems to have gotten the most snaps in training camp with the first team defense. There's no better way to improve from a backup asked to start in a pinch to a starting caliber defensive back than defending Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams day in and day out.
Ya-Sin, who also finished up the Lions' preseason game against the Commanders with a PFF gradde of 75.7, seems like the likeliest to have won this competition to start next to D.J. Reed. Of course, Whiteside will absolutely get snaps to begin the year as the Lions are looking to utilize whatever depth they have to make up for not having a second "star" next to Reed, per se.
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Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Khalil Dorsey, Bump Cooper Jr., Aamaris Brown, and Ekow Boye-Doe are on the bubble right now. Cooper Jr. and Boye-Doe feel like likely cuts, and while Brown might've been in that group, he has versatility as a safety that could be valuable after Christian Izien's injury.
LG: Christian Mahogany
Unless the Lions figure out a new plan at center that shifts Juice Scruggs over to left guard, fans shouldn't be surprised to see Detroit run it back with Mahogany starting at left guard. In his defense, he looked to be improving last season prior to going down with a lower leg fracture, and when he came back, it was obviously too soon.
Mahogany has been victim of multiple penalties in preseason, which is not what you want to see out of your "veteran" option at left guard. He, Miles Frazier, and Ben Bartch haven't really offered much in the way of a dominant performance in training camp or preseason, so it just makes sense that they stick with Mahogany.
Frazier, Melvin Priestly, and Bartch are all on the bubble, but with how little depth the Lions have here, it feels like maybe just Priestly will be a victim to cutdown day in this room.
NB: Keith Abney II
Abney got the start in preseason against the Commanders in Week 2 alongside other projected Week 1 starters on defense, and he didn't look exactly sharp. In fact, Roger McCreary - who is battling for the starting nickel job, as well - looked a ton more comfortable stopping the run and preventing big plays in the air.
Then, Abney bounced back very nicely in training camp the following week, and just seemed confident enough to be the starting slot corner for Detroit. It doesn't mean he'll take 100% of his snaps there, but the team is clearly comfortable with him and his rookie learning curve headed into the year.
Abney, McCreary, and Rakestraw all have the ability to play the slot, as well as Brown. This room may end up being their deepest, as it's unlikely they part ways with McCreary or Rakestraw at this point. And, as mentioned above, Brown could be one of their backup safeties to begin the year.
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