The time has arrived. Football season is almost here. Time to breakdown each position group for the Lions as the season opener against the New Orleans Saints on September 14 quickly approaches.
Quarterback: Jared Goff, Josh Dobbs
This is a pretty easy one to start off. Jared Goff is coming off another stellar year passing once again, and what makes it more impressive is how well he did under duress and how strong his play was at times when the offensive line play was abysmal. The Lions brought back NFL veteran Teddy Bridgewater earlier this offseason to back up Goff, but he retired during training camp, which makes way for Josh Dobbs, a very good, viable backup who has seen some run in the regular season in recent years for both the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. Dobbs should be a fine backup for Goff. Rookie Luke Altmyer has struggled at times, but he should clear waivers and be brought to the practice squad to develop as the year unfolds.
Running Back: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors
The top of the depth chart is locked in with the Lions ready to give Jahmyr Gibbs his largest workload he has seen yet. Pacheco, who is currently nursing an MCL injury, is expected to be back for the regular season opener and will definitely provide that grit and edge both Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes are looking for after parting with David Montgomery earlier this offseason. Most definitely one of the strongest groups the Lions have on the roster, led by one of the most electric players in the league. Vaki and Saylors are two strong special teams players who round out this room.
Wide Receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac Teslaa, Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy
Perhaps the Lions’ deepest position group entering the 2026-27 campaign. Both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are coming off of 1,000-yard seasons, and the potential for Isaac Teslaa is there; should we perhaps see a breakout season this year for Teslaa is the real question. The Lions signed Greg Dortch to a one-year deal earlier this offseason who will reconnect with new Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing after spending time together in Arizona. Never count out the longest-tenured Lion on the roster, Tom Kennedy, whom the coaching staff loves and who can line up either in the slot or out wide and play special teams.
Tight End: Sam Laporta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin
Sam Laporta is coming off a year plagued by a back injury that cut his season short in Week 4. I have no doubts that he will play a pivotal role in this offense under first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Brock Wright, aka Mr. Reliable, is back, and the Lions added Michigan native Tyler Conklin for extra needed depth.
Offensive Line: Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Cade Mays (Injured Reserve), Larry Borom, Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, Ben Bartch, Juice Scruggs, Miles Frazier, Seth McLaughlin
The Lions completely revamped their offensive line, as it was one of the worst units last season, making Jared Goff’s life a living hell. Brad Holmes got to work and signed center Cade Mays to a 3-year deal. Mays, who was stellar for Carolina and hasn’t allowed a sack in over 800 snaps, unfortunately has been sidelined with a wrist injury and will start the season on injured reserve. But, throughout camp, the Lions have given Seth McLaughlin some run, and we have seen guard Tate Ratledge move over to center as he played the position at the University of Georgia. The biggest move of the offseason in regards to the offensive line is drafting tackle Blake Miller in the first round out of Clemson. The Lions have their two franchise cornerstones on each side of the line now, Penei Sewell and Blake Miller. Even with Mays’ injury, I don’t see this unit performing as badly as they did last year especially with Mays coming back around the mid-season mark.
Edge/Defensive Tackle: Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Derrick Moore, Tyler Lacy, Ahmed Hassanein, Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Skyler Gill-Howard, Levi Onwuzurike, Chris Smith
Tyler Lacy has been the star of the show during training camp per Dan Campbell. Lacy is entering his second year with the Lions and could be a starter given his standout performance. Rookie Derrick Moore out of Michigan is a sleeper standout that can provide some much-needed juice to a pass rush that has solely relied on Aidan Hutchinson and has struggled in recent years.
Linebacker: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jimmy Rolder (Injured Reserve), Trevor Nowaske, Devin White, Damone Clark
Led by All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell, this room will once again be one of the Lions’ strongest even with Alex Anzalone departing in the offseason. The Lions are very high on rookie linebacker from Michigan, Jimmy Rolder, who will most likely start the season on injured reserve. The Lions brought in veteran linebacker Devin White to add some much-needed depth, and he is also vying for a starting spot.
Cornerback: D.J. Reed, Nick Whiteside, Rock Ya-Sin, Christian Izien, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Roger McCreary, Khalil Dorsey, Keith Abney II
With the release of Terrion Arnold back in June, the Lions were left thin on the outside. The Lions are counting on veterans DJ Reed and Rock Ya-Sin to anchor the secondary. The Lions brought in Christian Izien, who can play in the nickel and play safety as well, and they are hopeful that Ennis Rakestraw Jr., 2024 second round pick whose young career has been derailed by injuries, can find and solidify his role in the secondary. Rookie Keith Abney II is another young player with elite potential who many can see finding his way up the depth chart as the season rolls along.
Safety: Kerby Joseph (Injured Reserve), Brian Branch (Injured Reserve), Avonte Maddox, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper
Both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are out at least until September per Dan Campbell. The Lions will have to rely on Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper, both returning, who started last year when Branch and Joseph were out. The Lions added veteran Chuck Clark this offseason, and he is slated to start along Maddox, as those two have received the majority of the first-team snaps in training camp.
Special Teams: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
These three come as no surprise. A true, well-oiled machine.
Sports Talk by Zach Walsh 
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