INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions calls a play in a huddle during a 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been rolling out my annual Detroit Lions training camp preview articles, highlighting the camp battles and questions surrounding each position group. With the series coming to its conclusion, and training camp just days away from starting, now is the ideal time for me to share my perspective on the team’s 90-man roster.

While there is still a ton to be settled with this roster over the next month, this 53-man roster projection is how I believe the Lions would enter the regular season if it started tomorrow. As training camp and the preseason progress, I’ll be updating my projection as the Lions get closer to NFL cutdowns on August 30. But for now, here’s how I see the roster ahead of training camp.

Quarterbacks (2)

QB Jared Goff
QB Teddy Bridgewater
~~QB Luke Altmyer~~

Training camp preview: Can Luke Altmyer force a QB3 role?

Altmyer has a steep hill to climb in order to crack the 53-man roster; he’ll either need to jump Bridgewater on the depth chart or convince coaches to keep a QB3 on a loaded roster where spots are at a premium. For now, I’m staying chalk and sticking with the two expected quarterbacks.

Running backs (4)

RB Jahmyr Gibbs
RB Isiah Pacheco
RB Sione Vaki
RB Jacob Saylors
RB Kye Robichaux
RB Jabari Small

Training camp preview: How RB roles could shift in 2026

Gibbs is expected to expand his RB1 role this season, which opens the door for Pacheco to take on some special teams duties and could result in fewer running backs needed. However, running backs fit a unique role that special teams coordinator Dave Fipp prefers; therefore, I am expecting the Lions to stick with four backs.

Wide receivers (5)

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR Jameson Williams
WR Isaac TeSlaa
WR Greg Dortch
WR Dominic Lovett
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
WR Jackson Meeks
WR Tom Kennedy
WR Tay Martin
WR Lawrence Keys
WR Lucky Jackson
WR Tarik Black
WR Malik Cunningham

IR (season-ending): Kendrick Law

Training camp preview: WR depth roles up for grabs

On the surface, sticking with only five receivers goes a bit against the norm, but when you explore their usage—especially on game days—it lines up more than you might think. After the first four in this section, I have a lot of questions, but I’m not sure the Lions are ready to give up on Lovett just yet, so I went with him as WR5. Can Wilson, Meeks, or Kennedy convince me to keep a sixth? I’m open to the possibility.

Tight ends (3)

TE Sam LaPorta
TE Brock Wright
TE Tyler Conklin
~~TE Miles Kitselman~~
TE Zach Horton
TE Thomas Gordon

Training camp preview: How many TEs will make the roster?

Despite Conklin starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, I am still expecting him to slide into the Lions’ TE3 role. His absence will open the door for Kitselman, and the more time Conklin is out, the more time the rookie has to impress. These circumstances could result in a switch at TE3 or maybe even the Lions considering keeping a TE4. For now, I’m sticking with the most common expectations.

Offensive tackles (3)

OT Blake Miller
OT Penei Sewell
OT Larry Borom
OT Giovanni Manu
OT Devin Cochran

Training camp preview: Can Blake Miller win the starting RT job?

During coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes’ time in Detroit, the Lions have started the season with only three offensive tackles on their roster, except for 2024, when Manu was a rookie whom they were developing. Now entering year three, Manu’s development is at a crossroads: prove you can earn a spot as a reliable offensive lineman, or we’ll take the risk you pass through waivers and will place you on the practice squad.

Interior offensive linemen (6)

RG Tate Ratledge
LG Christian Mahogany
C Cade Mays
G Ben Bartch
G/T Miles Frazier
C/G Juice Scruggs
C Seth McLaughlin
~~G/T Colby Sorsdal~~
~~C/G Michael Niese~~
G Melvin Priestly
G/T Mason Miller

Training camp preview: How quickly will Cade Mays adapt to scheme?

The Lions spent the offseason prioritizing upgrading and deepening the interior offensive line. They’ve developed their youth, spent money at center, traded for depth, and sought out a veteran for competition. At this time, I am not expecting them to back off any of their investments, leading to them keeping six and keeping the competitions going all season.

Defensive tackles (6)

DT Alim McNeill
DT Tyleik Williams
DL Levi Onwuzurike
DL Tyler Lacy
DT Skyler Gill-Howard
NT Jay Tufele
~~DT Mekhi Wingo~~
DT Chris Smith
DT Myles Adams
NT Aidan Keanaaina
DL Tyre West

Training camp preview: DT has upgraded starters, questionable depth

Based on the Lions’ roster moves on the defensive line, I am expecting some tweaks to how the Lions’ defensive front is deployed. As I touched on in my preview article, the Lions have the option to shift away from a dedicated nose tackle to a more flexible interior, while still leaning on unique fronts, like incorporating a “Big” defensive end. After the Lions’ top three interior players, I selected three players that I believe will fill situational roles, including Lacy at big end, Gill-Howard as a pass-rushing interior tackle, and Tufele as a reserve nose tackle. Those final three roles should be up for grabs in camp.

Edge defenders (4)

EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
EDGE DJ Wonnum
EDGE Derrick Moore
EDGE Payton Turner
EDGE Ahmed Hassanein
EDGE Anthony Lucas
EDGE Eric O’Neill

Training camp preview: 4 big questions at the EDGE

The Lions were more aggressive than usual in securing pass rushing options opposite Hutchinson, and the first three players are locked into the roster and likely starting rotation. Beyond those three, I think the Lions will still want a bit more juice for depth and situational purposes. Because of that, I gave the nod to Turner for the EDGE4 role, but I am far from convinced that he will keep the job by the end of camp. First, he’ll need to stay healthy, and second, he’ll need to fend off a group of highly motivated young players.

Linebackers (6)

LB Jack Campbell
LB Derrick Barnes
LB Malcolm Rodriguez
LB Jimmy Rolder
LB Trevor Nowaske
LB Damone Clark
~~LB Troy Reeder~~
LB Erick Hunter
LB Joe Bachie

Training camp preview:

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