Resetting Detroit Lions’ 4 biggest needs after 2026 NFL Draft

Nose tackle

Detroit has still yet to add clear replacements for free agent losses DJ Reader and Roy Lopez. While second-year defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and a healthy Alim McNeill should be able to pick up some of the slack, that isn’t enough. UDFA Aidan Keanaaina could compete for that spot, as could recent signing Jay Tufele, but that’s asking a lot of a rookie or a 310-pound defender whose main experience has come at the 3-tech. Perhaps their failure to any clear nose tackles is a sign of some defensive schematic tweaks, but it’s unlikely they no longer want big, run stuffers in the middle of their defense, and they could use more.

Linebacker

Many have speculated that Detroit’s lack of serious investment in the linebacker position this offseason could point to a heavy shift to more nickel defense—and maybe they’re right. But even so, Detroit is surprisingly thin in pure numbers at linebacker. Last year, they carried 10 linebackers into OTAs. They are currently at just eight after signing veteran Joe Bachie after the draft. Even if the Lions plan on utilizing two linebackers the majority of the time, they still need playable reinforcements, and Detroit’s depth is sketchy at best. Malcolm Rodriguez is a fine primary backup, but only Trevor Nowaske and Damone Clark have any meaningful experience beyond that. Unless they believe fourth-round pick Jimmy Rolder is more plug-and-play ready than I suspect, Detroit could use more reinforcements at the position, especially for when they inevitably want to run *some* three linebacker personnel sets. Protection from injury would also be welcomed at this position, as it feels they are particularly vulnerable if an injury happens to Jack Campbell or Derrick Barnes.

Wide receiver

This is purely a numbers thing. The Lions have ample talent both in starting and depth positions. In fact, the competition for the fourth, fifth, and sixth(?) spots should be very entertaining between Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett, Kendrick Law, Jackson Meeks, and Tom Kennedy. But they could certainly use some more bodies for practice. Last year, they carried 11 wideouts into OTAs. This year, they currently only have nine. To make sure you have players for a third and fourth string offense, Detroit could certainly stand to add a player or two at receiver.

Safety

Again, this is more of a numbers thing. Detroit did a lot of work at the safety position this offseason, adding Christian Izien and Chuck Clark, while making sure they kept Avonte Maddox and Loren Strickland. But with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch unlikely to participate in spring practice and possibly early in camp as well, they could use more bodies for practice. As it stands, their healthy safeties include Maddox, Izien, Clark, Thomas Harper, Dan Jackson, and Strickland. While Rock Ya-Sin could drop back from corner to safety, the Lions may also want to play Izien at nickel. Plus, it would be nice to invest in a young, more developmental option at safety with the murky outlook at safety given the injuries at the top of the depth chart.