The Detroit Lions always have a big defensive question about where pocket pressure is going to come from, and the team has relied on some different players to answer the bell in recent seasons.
Aidan Hutchinson is an obvious menace, but outside of him, there are still more questions than answers heading into 2026 about what happens next. The hope is that Derrick Moore emerges as a rookie, and DJ Wonnum will see a career resurgence and chip in plenty of sacks. Outside of that, depth will be needed in its usual way.
One of the more underrated options for that this season is Tyler Lacy. Lost in the shuffle after signing after camp in 2025, the defensive end has an intriguing trajectory for this season. The Lions could use depth on the edge, and Lacy has stepped up immediately in camp to not only earn attention, but the trust of some coaches as well.
Lacy has been the talk of plenty of practices thus far, and has been active off the edge to take some pressure off others on the roster. This has made him arguably the best story of camp thus far, and a potential exciting addition for this season.
Dan Campbell can hardly hide his excitement. When asked about Lacy so far in camp, the coach launched into a description about everything that sets him apart. More specifically, it's everything he does as a teammate and a player which has set him up for success this season.
"He's a football guy. He's a pro. This guy prepares. He practices hard. He'll do whatever you ask him to do. Run over there, take special teams reps. He doesn't bat an eye. He's big, he's strong, he's stout, he's physical. Smart football player, practices hard, plays hard. I mean, he's what you're looking for."
Players on Detroit's roster have earned their roles given work in camp before, and Lacy could very well be the next to do so in this vein. He's had a strong start to camp by doing all the things he can to be valuable, and it's earned him plenty of praise and eyeballs so far.
Lacy believes his experience will help him to earn a role with Lions
The Lions have always valued versatility on their roster, and Lacy brings this to the table. He can do a bit of everything up front, and isn't merely a one-trick pony in terms of his abilities along the defensive line.
Lacy has tried many things in his career in terms of positions, and he believes that experience can help him take the next steps. The more things he can do, the more valuable he becomes in terms of being able to stick on a roster for the future.
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"I feel like it's helped me diversify my game. I can play from the three to the four and then to the five and sometimes the six. It just helps me in my game and just helps to get more and more reps so I can go out there on Sunday and complete it."
So far, Lacy has not disappointed. The next step for him is showing up in the preseason and not only earning his way on the roster, but claiming a role. Considering Detroit's need for pass rush punch, there is no question he can make an impact if given a chance.
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