Saturday, September 5, 2026

Lions Links for Friday 9-4-26

Articles:

Solak picks X factors for all 32 NFL teams: Which players could sway the 2026 season? (Detroit Lions: CB Rock Ya-Sin - The current state of the Lions' secondary is as dire as there is in the league. With both star safeties on the PUP list to start the season (Kerby Joseph because of a chronic knee issue, Brian Branch rehabbing a torn right Achilles), the expected starting safeties are veteran Chuck Clark (31 years old) and Avonte Maddox (30). It's worth not just emphasizing their age, but the fact that neither was a starter last season. At corner, veteran D.J. Reed (29) still owns one spot, while the release of Terrion Arnold opens the door for Ya-Sin (30), a career rotational player, to start in Week 1.  The Lions will become the first defense since the 2011 Steelers to start four defensive backs aged 29 or older in Week 1, and only the ninth defense to do it this century. This doesn't disqualify their defensive backfield from playing well, of course -- but it's not like this is their ideal lineup. Clark is a journeyman vet. Maddox was a nickel with the Eagles who flipped to safety only in Detroit. Ya-Sin was supposed to be a backup. The experience of the group might prove a plus, but I'm worried about the collective athleticism.  If the Lions struggle for speed and explosive plays in the secondary, DC Kelvin Sheppard will likely pivot to more zone coverages and rely on his rush to win passing downs for him. That's all well and good, but a lack of team speed matters once passes are complete and yards after the catch are available. Also, you will have to play man at some point -- and when you do, Ya-Sin will be targeted. Since he entered the league, Ya-Sin is 12th among all corners in defensive penalties per coverage snap, though he was also ninth in average separation to targeted receivers, according to Next Gen Stats' tracking data and coverage model. He needs to be just as sticky with fewer flags if the Lions' secondary will be competitive.): https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49797638/2026-nfl-season-x-factors-all-32-teams-key-players


Two Detroit Lions Players Expected to 'Step Up' Amid Injuries:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/two-detroit-lions-players-expected-to-step-up-amid-injuries

Richard Sherman Shares Major Detroit Lions Concern, Makes Bold Prediction: https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/richard-sherman-shares-major-detroit-lions-concern-makes-bold-prediction


How Detroit Lions Could Resolve Current Salary Cap Crisis:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/how-detroit-lions-could-resolve-current-salary-cap-crisis

5 Players Detroit Lions Must Scout in College Football Week 1:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/players-detroit-lions-must-scout-college-football-week-one-2026

Lions Practice Squad Players Most Likely To Be Promoted:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-practice-squad-players-most-likely-to-be-promoted


12 bold predictions for the Lions’ 2026 season, including the hottest take I’ve made in years:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/12-bold-predictions-for-the-lions-2026-season-including-the-hottest-take-ive-made-in-years/

The Lions have to clear cap space before Week 1. Two details could tell us what Brad Holmes is planning, not just for right now, but for the distant future too:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-have-to-clear-cap-space-before-week-1-two-details-could-tell-us-what-brad-holmes-is-planning-not-just-for-right-now-but-for-the-distant-future-too/


NFL Preseason 2026: The ‘Teams Don’t Show You Anything’ Myth Is Officially Dead:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-preseason-2026-teams-schemes-data-motion-blitz-disguise

Jared Goff’s Protection Up Front Seen as Key to Lions Staying Elite Again:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/jared-goffs-protection-up-front-seen-as-key-to-lions-staying-elite-again

2026 NFL Survivor Squad: Building best 32-man roster (Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions):  If Gibbs isn't the best running back in the NFL, he is damn close. He's been in the league for three years and rushed for 3,580 yards and 39 touchdowns, averaging at least 5.0 yards per carry each season. He's also caught at least 52 passes in each season, and last year he posted a career-best 77. He's in line to have an even bigger year in 2026 now that David Montgomery is gone.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-survivor-squad-building-32-man-roster/

Countdown to the 2026 NFL Opener: Plenty of Losers, Not Many Winners This Summer (Winners - Jahmyr Gibbs:  Just look at what Bijan Robinson has to deal with in Atlanta for a better understanding of why Gibbs is listed as a winner in this column.  Gibbs has it great with a reliable quarterback, stout offensive line and several playmakers who can command attention and give him favorable matchups. Gibbs might be on the verge of breaking a few records and adding some hardware now that he doesn’t split carries with the departed David Montgomery. Oh, and Gibbs became the highest-paid running back this offseason, signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension, which was a little higher than Robinson’s three-year, $66.75 million deal.  Life is good for Gibbs.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/countdown-to-2026-nfl-opener-plenty-of-losers-not-many-winners


Ranking the NFL's top 25 running backs in 2026 (1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (age: 24):  Gibbs will be running solo as "Sonic" with Dan Campbell and the rest of Detroit's offensive coaches ready to elevate him to explosive workhorse status with David Montgomery traded to the Texans. Gibbs won't disappoint as the complete big-play package with every touch, from home runs to tough red zone running.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-running-back-rankings-2026/3932b7f798814ab72fb7727f

Worst to first? Why every NFL last-place team from last year can - and can't - win division in 2026 (Detroit Lions - Why they can go worst-to-first 
It may be hard to believe the Lions finished last in the NFC North at 9-8, but a late loss to the Vikings sealed their tiebreaker disadvantage and their fate. Detroit, of course, isn't a typical last-place team. Just two years removed from winning 15 games, the Lions have a high-level quarterback, elite weapons in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, and one of the game's best pass-rushers in Aidan Hutchinson.  The stars are enough to make NFC North contention realistic, even with the division so competitive at the moment. How the rest of the pieces fall into place will determine whether the Lions are closer to a 9-8 team or a 12-5 team. With Sam LaPorta healthy, all the offense needs is some more stability on the offensive line. The defense, meanwhile, will get Brian Branch back soon, Kerby Joseph back at some point, and should see a better year from Alim McNeill.  The NFC North is ultra-competitive, but there isn't necessarily a dominant team the Lions need to knock off. The Packers only won nine games last season, while the Bears pulled numerous rabbits out of hats to take the division. Are the Lions as good as they were in 2024? No. Are they good enough to win 11-12 games? There's a strong case to be made that they are, and that might be enough to win the NFC North.  Why they can't go worst-to-first - The Lions weren't a bad team by any means in 2025, but they haven't done enough to fix their biggest vulnerabilities.  The pass defense is still a glaring concern, with D.J. Reed coming off a disappointing season and both safeties recovering from major injuries. On the offensive line, there are questions all over with the exception of Penei Sewell. Center Cade Mays, signed to solve the Frank Ragnow problem, is set to miss a portion of the season with an injury. The offensive line's regression took a toll on Gibbs' efficiency down the stretch last season, and the Lions' offense was markedly worse when Gibbs wasn't as effective.  The NFC North won't allow the Lions to have much of a break this season. There is no dominant team, but a healthier Packers team should be better than it was last season, the Bears are shooting for the moon after a breakthrough year, and the Vikings believe a quarterback upgrade is all they need to get back to the playoffs.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/worst-first-nfl-last-place-team-win-division/8227c0eb1b7e96e94bce917b

Top 12 NFL quarterbacks entering 2026-2027 season (10. Jared Goff, Lions: Goff’s the first QB on this list north of 30 yrs old. In fact, he’ll be 32 in October. He is also the first QB on this list who I’d call a retread, with his second team. He’s posted great numbers for both the Rams and now the Lions, making a Super Bowl run with the Rams in 2018.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/top-12-nfl-quarterbacks-entering-2026-2027-season/


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Posted by LionsFan at 7:43 AM

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