Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Lions Links for Wednesday 7-8-26

Articles:

TWENTYMAN: 5 position battles to watch heading into training camp:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-5-position-battles-2026-nfl-training-camp


Grant Stuard Believes Payton Turner Is Answer To Lions Biggest Issue:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/grant-stuard-believes-payton-turner-answer-lions-biggest-issue


Every Rookie to Watch During Detroit Lions 2026 Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/every-rookie-to-watch-during-detroit-lions-2026-training-camp

Jameson Williams Is Underrated WR Who Will Turns Heads in 2026:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/jameson-williams-is-underrated-wr-who-will-turns-heads-2026




We built the Dan Campbell Trust Index using five years of Lions rookie data. Here’s what it says about the 2026 class:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/we-built-the-dan-campbell-trust-index-using-five-years-of-lions-rookie-data-heres-what-it-says-about-the-2026-class/


Ranking the NFL's top edge rushers: Execs, coaches and scouts pick the top 10 (5. Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions - Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 8.  Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 7.  Hutchinson's unique skill set makes him a steady climber up the board, similar to Anderson. Last season, Hutchinson ranked second in pressures (63), third in quarterback hits (35), tied for second in forced fumbles (four) and fourth in sacks (14.5). It was a complete performance coming off a serious leg injury that cost him more than half of the 2024 campaign. His 950 snaps were first among defensive linemen..  "Skilled with his hands, very good speed-to-power rush to keep offensive tackles off balance and his superpower is his motor is nonstop," a veteran NFL defensive coach said.  Hutchinson is the first player since 1982 to have 40 or more sacks and five or more interceptions in his first four NFL seasons.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49237026/ranking-nfl-top-10-edge-rushers-2026-execs-coaches-scouts

Which NFL players could break out in 2026? Solak picked one early candidate from each team (Detroit Lions - Roger McCreary, CB.  Tons of cornerback snaps were already up for grabs in Detroit before Terrion Arnold was cut following his arrest in Florida on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. Now, starting jobs are available in both the slot and on the outside. The contenders for the jobs: Rock Ya-Sin, Keith Abney II, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and McCreary.  McCreary was a rookie starter -- and a productive one at that -- for the Titans in 2022. He can play inside and out, though his lack of length makes him better suited for slot work (and will likely always limit his on-ball production). Still, he's smart in zone coverage, physical enough to survive against the run and plenty sticky when asked to play man-to-man. Much of his game is similar to that of Amik Robertson, who thrived in Detroit before signing a solid deal in Washington this past offseason. I'm buying a McCreary bounceback.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49295229/2026-nfl-season-breakout-candidates-burden-bullock-mclaurin

PFF Running Back Rankings: Assessing all 32 starters ahead of the 2026 NFL season (2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions:  Gibbs is one of the most electric players in the league, both as a runner and receiver. His 1,449 receiving yards since getting drafted in 2023 are third among all running backs, while his 39 rushing touchdowns in that span are second.   Gibbs is one of the fastest players in the NFL, running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. And he uses that speed to his advantage, tallying 95 explosive runs since 2023 (4th).):  https://www.pff.com/news/pff-running-back-rankings-assessing-all-32-starters-ahead-of-the-2026-nfl-season

Offensive Infrastructure Rankings: Which teams set up their QB best? (Tier 1: The Best Ecosystems (4-1) - 3. Detroit Lions (4.40):  We have another two ties in the elite group, where it seems like we're splitting hairs.  Dallas and Detroit both received above-average grades for their play callers in Brian Schottenheimer and Drew Petzing. The Cowboys' slight advantage on the offensive line (where Detroit used to be the best in the NFL but is now merely pretty good instead of great) is made up for by the Lions' significant advantage at running back, where Jahmyr Gibbs is arguably the league's best and Javonte Williams leads a very thin group behind him for the Cowboys. The pass catching groups are both excellent, with both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams ranking highly on our aforementioned wide receiver duos list.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-offensive-infrastructure-rankings/

Ten NFL players poised for massive bounce-back seasons (TE Sam LaPorta: LaPorta's production has declined each year in the NFL following his breakout rookie season when he managed 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last season, he missed eight games and finished with 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns. The entire Detroit offense suffered a setback last season post-Ben Johnson, but LaPorta should be revitalized by new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Petzing's own offense with the Cardinals and roots dating to Cleveland suggest the tight end will be heavily utilized in the pass game.   Defensive tackle Alim McNeill was another who had been considered for the list. Availability has been an issue for him early in his professional career, but a healthy McNeil could play a vital role in the Lions re-establishing themselves as a contender in the NFC.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-veterans-set-to-experience-a-resurgence-in-2026/
Posted by LionsFan at 9:20 PM

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