The Crystal Ball: S&B Pre-Training Camp 53 Man Roster Prediction
What will the Lions roster look like on 2026?
Information sourced from: ESPN
Training camp for the Detroit Lions will kick off at the beginning of August. There is a lot we don’t know until the pads go on. However, OTAs gave us a small (and limited) glimpse into the state of talent and the roster. Today, I’ll give you my prediction as to where the roster will end up at the end of training camp. Let’s dig in!
Quarterbacks
IN:
Jared Goff
Teddy Bridgewater
OUT/Practice Squad:
Luke Altmyer
Running Roster Total: 2
Some people may think that this outcome is a foregone conclusion. Some people may think the Lions will carry three quarterbacks. I don’t think either of these perspectives will come to fruition. I actually was very close to calling Altmyer in and Bridgewater out, simply because Bridgewater has some rust on him and Luke Altmyer is stylistically closer to Jared Goff than Bridgewater is. That allows for continuity of the offense. However Bridgewater’s experience wins out. I still think Altmyer sticks around, I just think he is on the practice squad.
Running Backs
IN:
Jahmyr Gibbs
Isiah Pacheco
Sione Vaki
Jacob Saylers
OUT/Practice Squad:
None
Running Roster Total: 6
Now, hear me out on this one. Jahmyr is your bellcow back. Isaiah Pacheco should be a great change of pace back, and with a lighter workload he should be able to stay more healthy. Sione Vaki is who complicates things, he is an excellent special teamer with limited RB experience. Not having a backup plan for him would be a huge oversight. Thus, I am keeping Jacob Saylers as he has more “real world” experience with his time in the UFL.
Wide Receivers
IN:
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson Willliams
Isaac TeSlaa
Greg Dortch
Tom Kennedy
Malik Cunningham
OUT/Practice Squad:
Tarik Black
Lucky Jackson
Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Lawrence Keys III
Tay Martin
Dominic Lovett
Running Roster Total: 12
This is potentially the easiest of the groups. The top four spots are almost set in stone. I have heard from multiple people that Dortch looked great in camp, and really fits what the Lions want at WR4. Tom Kennedy has proven no matter when you put him in, he will produce at a WR5 level consistently. Malik Cunningham has the upside and ability. The rest are all too unknown. Don’t get me wrong, the WR6 competition could bust open and someone could overtake Cunningham, but this is where I see it until we have more evidence to the contrary.
Tight Ends
IN:
Sam LaPorta
Tyler Conklin
Brock Wright
OUT/Practice Squad:
Jackson Meeks
Running Roster Total: 15
This was the easiest position group to predict thus far. Meeks is an undersized converted wide receiver. The rest are quality NFL tight ends. Please note that I believe Conklin has a higher upside (even at his age) than Brock Wright, and I think he will rep ahead of him and win the TE2 job.
Offensive Line
IN:
Penei Sewell
Christian Mahogany
Cade Mays
Tate Ratledge
Blake Miller
Larry Borom
Juice Scruggs
Miles Frazier
Ben Bartch
OUT/Practice Squad:
Colby Sorsdal
Michael Niese
Giovanni Manu
Melvin Priestly
Mason Miller
Devin Cochran
Seth McLaughlin
Running Roster Total: 24
The starters here are almost unquestioned. The only spot currently in question is left guard, and I have a gut feeling Mahogany will return to form and lock in the spot. The Sorsdal experiment is done, but he could find more time on the practice squad, same drill with Manu. The rest, I just don’t see it. I also like the upsides of Frazier and Bartch. Borom and Scruggs provide experienced veteran presence to step in in a pinch. I really like this re-vamped group.
Defensive Line
IN:
Aidan Hutchinson
Tyleik Williams
Alim McNeil
Levi Onwuzurike
Derick Moore
DJ Wonnum
Jay Tufele
Tyler Lacy
Payton Turner
Skyler Gill-Howard
OUT/Practice Squad:
Tyre West
Chris Smith
Ahmed Hassanein
Mekhi Wingo
Aidan Keanaaina
Running Roster Total: 34
The more I read about this group, the more I like it. There are intriguing rookies at the bottom, solid vets at the top. Two big question marks on injury (Levi and Turner), but also plenty of young players to fill those holes. The hardest thing for me was cutting Wingo and Hassanein as I think they both could still be something, I hope to see them both on the practice squad. I also hope we can see Payton Turner for more than a half a game.
Linebackers
IN:
Derrick Barnes
Damone Clark
Jack Campbell
Jimmy Rolder
Malcolm Rodriquez
OUT/Practice Squad:
Joe Bachie
Erick Hunter
Trevor Nowaske
Running Roster Total: 39
Not a ton to see or say here. Barnes and Campbell are the front of the group, Clark and Rodrigo provide depth. Rolder showed flashes in OTAs per multiple sources (it’s almost like Brad hits on picks now and then). Let me state: I really like Hunter and he is locked up for a couple years, he could stick. I feel like Nowaske may have hit his ceiling. Bachie could stick as veteran depth. There certainly is room to move here, but this is what I see as of now.
Cornerbacks
IN:
DJ Reed
Rock Ya-Sin
Ennis Rakestraw
Roger McCreary
Keith Abney II
Christian Izien
OUT/Practice Squad:
De’Shawn Rucker
Nick Whiteside
Amariz Brown
Khalil Dorsey
Running Roster Total: 45
Reed and Ya-Sin give you your outsides, with Rakestraw there to provide an upgrade if he can stay healthy. McCreary can play both inside and outside, so he provides solid depth. Abney becomes either your starting or backup nickel. Izien, well he can play safety and corner, so he’s sticking around as he can plug and play wherever he needs. Dorsey and Whiteside are hard cuts for me but I think Abney and Izien cost them their spots.
Safeties
IN:
Kerby Joseph
Brian Branch (likely starting on PUP)
Avonte Maddox
Chuck Clark
Dan Jackson
OUT/Practice Squad:
Loren Strickland
Thomas Harper
Running Roster Total: 50
Despite questions, Kerby and Branch have to be there due to their high upside and contracts. Avonte can start and play well, which will help until Branch is ready. Clark is a nice addition for depth with solid experience. Here’s hoping Dan Jackson can develop this year and play a depth role to provide special teams value. Strickland and Harper likely end up on the practice squad. The only reason I am comfortable with this light in a safety room is Christian Izien can jump in and play safety as well.
Specialists
IN:
Jake Bates
Jack Fox
Hogan Hatten
OUT/Practice Squad:
None
Running Roster Total: 53
This is the most solid and unquestioned group on the roster, and here’s hoping it stays that way.
The Crystal Ball has Spoken
Let’s all be honest. This is guess work at best. It is fun to dive into our roster, and I do have to give Holmes credit. The depth and positive turnover on this roster looks really good on paper. The only room I am really concerned about is the DB room between safeties, and perhaps adding another vet corner. We shall see what the Lions ultimately decide to do, and what the product on the field ultimately looks like.