Thursday, September 3, 2026

Lions Links for Wednesday 9-2-26

Articles:




Detroit Lions Provide Clarity About Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta Extensions: https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/detroit-lions-provide-clarity-about-brian-branch-sam-laporta-extensions

Top Free Agent Available Who Could Help Detroit Lions Right Away:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/top-free-agent-available-who-could-help-detroit-lions-right-away

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes Grilled About Terrion Arnold, Weak CB Room:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/detroit-lions-gm-brad-holmes-grilled-about-terrion-arnold-weak-cb-room

What Lions Final Roster Says About the Front Office's Vision:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/what-lions-final-roster-says-about-front-office-vision-2026

Detroit Lions Preseason Standout Lands With New England Patriots:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/detroit-lions-preseason-standout-lands-with-new-england-patriots






The Lions just made it very clear they’re about to make two moves to add to their roster:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-just-made-it-very-clear-theyre-about-to-make-two-moves-to-add-to-their-roster/

7 biggest takeaways from Lions GM Brad Holmes’ presser: Detroit is still shopping, pass-rush juice was a priority, and one major signing’s playing status remains a mystery:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/7-biggest-takeaways-from-lions-gm-brad-holmes-presser-detroit-is-still-shopping-pass-rush-juice-was-a-priority-and-one-major-signings-playing-status-remains-a-mystery/

The Lions’ rookies are being asked to matter more than any other class of this era:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-rookies-are-being-asked-to-matter-more-than-any-other-class-of-this-era/

The Lions kept 11 defensive linemen, and the reason may be much bigger than roster depth:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-kept-11-defensive-linemen-and-the-reason-may-be-much-bigger-than-roster-depth/

Jahmyr Gibbs Bold Prediction Would Make $75 Million Extension Look Like a Bargain:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/jahmyr-gibbs-bold-prediction-would-make-75-million-extension-look-like-a-bargain

Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown on Record Watch Entering 2026 NFL Season:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-amon-ra-st-brown-on-record-watch-entering-2026-nfl-season




Lions’ Best Options to Replace Isiah Pacheco After Injury Setback:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-best-options-to-replace-isiah-pacheco-after-injury-setback

2026 NFL bold predictions: Potential surprises for 32 teams (Detroit Lions
Don't be surprised if ... Jameson Williams is the team's leading receiver.  What I'm hearing: No disrespect to Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of the most consistent pass catchers in the entire league. But I think this Lions offense is going to hum this season, and Williams is the player poised to take the biggest leap. For a few years now, the coaching staff has been pushing Williams to expand his route repertoire and contribute as more than just a deep threat. And in Drew Petzing's offense, he could be poised to do just that. The Lions' schedule of opposing defenses sets up well for Williams, and if he proves himself to be a trustworthy target for Jared Goff, he could be in for a career year.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49793475/2026-nfl-surprise-predictions-32-teams-stat-leaders-breakouts-fantasy-football

10 NFL players set to step up amid absences in 2026 (S Avonte Maddox, Detroit Lions:  The Lions’ quest for redemption after missing the playoffs has already endured numerous roadblocks. A quintessential part of that is having both Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) still working their way back from season-ending injuries in 2025 and landing on the physically unable to perform list.  With both starting safeties out for at least the first four games of 2026, players like Maddox become that much more important. The former Eagle turned heads in reserve work for Detroit last year, generating a 79.1 overall PFF grade over 342 snaps. Impressively, Maddox notched a 75.0-plus grade in both coverage and run defense while primarily operating as the team’s true free safety. If he can sustain that level of play, it will go a long way for Detroit’s battered defense.  C Juice Scruggs, Detroit Lions:  Detroit’s defense has been especially besieged by injury in recent seasons, but its offense also endured a big blow when starting center Cade Mays fractured a bone in his wrist during training camp. With Mays out for at least the first four weeks of the year, Scruggs could step up to fill his absence.  Acquired by the Lions this offseason in the deal for running back David Montgomery, Scruggs has occupied all three interior offensive line slots throughout his pro career, but he only played center in 2024. That season happened to be his best as a pro with a 63.5 overall PFF grade, which placed 17th among qualified centers. Scruggs will look to bounce back in a new ecosystem after a trying 2025 saw him earn a 40.5 PFF run-blocking grade and let up 11 pressures on 202 opportunities.  When the Packers picked Dennis-Sutton in the fourth round, the team figured it had landed a high-upside depth piece during his rookie season. But with Micah Parsons expected to miss the first six weeks of 2026 while recovering from an ACL tear, Dennis-Sutton could be thrown into the spotlight sooner than projected.  Dennis-Sutton was consistently excellent throughout a four-year stint at Penn State, earning at least a 75.0 PFF pass-rush grade every season while compiling 147 total pressures. He transferred that talent in his first taste of the preseason, collecting five pressures on 22 pass-rushing snaps against the Cardinals. Down Parsons in an edge defender room without many proven talents, Dennis-Sutton looms as an X-factor on a Packers defensive line facing initial questions.):  https://www.pff.com/news/10-nfl-players-set-to-step-up-amid-absences-in-2026

Top 10 NFL offenses in 2026? Bears, Bills, Rams headline my projection (4. Detroit Lions:  It’s pretty simple. If the new-look offensive line keeps Jared Goff well protected, the offense should have no trouble finishing among the elite. Detroit has ranked among the top five teams in offensive points per game for four straight seasons, the longest such active streak in the NFL and one that survived a midseason change at play-caller last year. To keep the run alive, it will take a successful transition from right to left tackle for Penei Sewell, solid play from rookie RT Blake Miller and an at least passable showing from the interior while starting C Cade Mays is out with a wrist injury. There is more uncertainty up front than we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from this unit, but it certainly helps to have elite weaponry in the form of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs. A healthy year from TE Sam LaPorta would kick things up a notch, too, although he missed time in August with a hip issue after a back injury cratered his 2025 campaign. If it all comes together under new OC Drew Petzing, the Lions could easily end up leading the league in OPPG, and the schedule looks very favorable, with Detroit facing only one top-10 scoring defense from last season in the first nine weeks.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/top-10-nfl-offenses-in-2026-bears-bills-rams-headline-my-projection

2026 NFL playoff predictions: Picks for 8 division winners, 6 wild cards (NFC NORTH CHAMPS - 1. Detroit Lions):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-playoff-predictions-picks-for-8-division-winners-6-wild-cards

One reason every NFC team could disappoint during 2026 NFL season (Detroit Lions: Secondary - Go ahead and look at the depth chart for the Lions' defensive backfield. It's pretty ugly, especially with both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch on the physically unable to perform list. They're likely starting Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark at safety. It's Rock Ya-Sin and D.J. Reed at corner. There's just not a lot of high-level talent, and they're going to need the pass rush (where Aidan Hutchinson still needs some help) to really step up and carry the load.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/one-reason-each-nfc-team-could-disappoint-its-fan-base-are-expectations-too-high-for-rams/



NFL teams most likely to make 2026 playoffs after missing out in 2025 (Lions - The Lions had a brutal season in 2025, going through major coaching staff changes and injury issues over the course of the year. Still, Detroit won nine games and was in line for a playoff spot before the team lost three of its last four games to finish the campaign. Despite the nine wins, the Lions finished in last place as the NFC North was the best division in the NFL last year. However, with that comes the benefit of a last-place schedule, giving the Lions the easiest schedule in the division and one of the easiest in the NFL. While the defense is a concern, Detroit's offense is explosive and should carry them back to the postseason.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-teams-most-likely-make-playoffs-after-missing/f9ebefcf04919c1b9c8aab84

NFC North Predictions: Will The Lions Or Bears Finish As Kings Of The North?:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfc-north-predictions-will-lions-bears-claim-division-title

Lions expected to bounce back in NFC North after falling short of expectations last season:  https://apnews.com/article/detroit-lions-preview-2026-494a665bdba9835037b8e77d743dc8a4

Ranking the 10 Best NFL Offensive Tackles in 2026: Penei Sewell, Trent Williams Among Top Performers (1. Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions - 2025 PFN OL Impact Score: 93.4.  When offensive tackles switch from one side to another, there’s usually some skepticism around how they’ll perform at the new position. There’s been no skepticism about Penei Sewell switching from right tackle to left tackle this year, though, and that’s because of how dominant he’s been on the right side for the Detroit Lions from the jump.  Not only did Sewell lead all offensive tackles with a 90.6 run-blocking score, but his 85.2 pass-blocking score ranked fourth at the position. He wasn’t just the only offensive tackle to score in the top five in both categories; he was the only one who even scored in the top ten in both. He’s been a top-two offensive tackle by PFN OL Impact Scoring each of the last three years, leading the NFL in the metric in 2023 and 2025. Sewell is the best offensive tackle in the game today, bar none.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/10-best-nfl-offensive-tackles-2026/

‘This Is Way Worse Than We Thought’ — NFL Fans React to Lions GM Brad Holmes’ Concerning Update on Isiah Pacheco’s Injury‘:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-fans-react-concerning-update-isiah-pacheco-injury/

His Career Is Over,’ ‘Was Signing Him Really Worth It?’ — NFL Fans Sound Off as Ex-Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco Lands on IR With Lions:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/his-career-is-over-was-signing-him-really-worth-it-nfl-fans-sound-off-as-ex-chiefs-rb-isiah-pacheco-lands-on-ir-with-lions/

Former Detroit Lions Cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. Dies:  https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/former-detroit-lions-cornerback-alphonso-214758342.html

Video:


Lions season opener at home now 12 days away:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-6itdp7rkvm5xu9mu
Posted by LionsFan at 3:09 PM

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