Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Lions Links for Wednesday 10-7-26

Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Branch & Mays return to practice:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-brian-branch-cade-mays-return-to-practice-abney



Burning Question: Can Brian Branch Save Detroit Lions Defense?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/burning-question-can-brian-branch-save-detroit-lions-defense

2 Defensive Changes Lions Must Make After First Quarter of Season:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/defensive-changes-lions-must-make-after-first-quarter-of-season-2026

Why I Don't Trust Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes To Sign Good Cornerbacks:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/brad-holmes-stinks-cornerback-evaluations-draft-free-agency

Cardinals Have Talent, But Lions Can Exploit These Holes:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/cardinals-have-talent-but-lions-can-exploit-these-holes

Darius Slay Analyzes Detroit Lions Biggest Mistake: They Can't Cover:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/darius-slay-analyzes-detroit-lions-biggest-mistake

Lions Are Demanding Even More From Offense: How Greatness Is Determined:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-are-demanding-even-more-from-offense-how-greatness-is-determined







The first thing the Lions need to know about Arizona: The Cardinals can expose the exact problems Detroit hasn’t fixed:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-first-thing-the-lions-need-to-know-about-arizona-the-cardinals-can-expose-the-exact-problems-detroit-hasnt-fixed/

There’s something Lions fans need to know about a potential Jalen Ramsey trade — and it doesn’t kill the idea:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/theres-something-lions-fans-need-to-know-about-a-potential-jalen-ramsey-trade-and-it-doesnt-kill-the-idea/

Detroit Lions Mailbag: What Lions trade is worth mortgaging the future, why is D.J. Reed still CB1, and can Dan Campbell fix the defense?:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/detroit-lions-mailbag-what-lions-trade-is-worth-mortgaging-the-future-why-is-d-j-reed-still-cb1-and-can-dan-campbell-fix-the-defense/

4 veteran defensive coaches the Lions could bring in to help Kelvin Sheppard, including a former NFL head coach:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/4-veteran-defensive-coaches-the-lions-could-bring-in-to-help-kelvin-sheppard-including-a-former-nfl-head-coach/

Jeremy Fowler Says Lions Must Trade for a Cornerback and Floats Jalen Ramsey as an Option:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-steelers-jalen-ramsey-trade

Dan Campbell’s Appearance on a Hot-Seat List Hands the Lions a Jolt They Never Expected to Feel:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/nfl-hot-seat-coaches-dan-campbell-lions

Dan Campbell Challenges Lions Defense to Step Up Against Cardinals Star Trey McBride:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/dan-campbell-challenges-lions-defense-to-step-up-against-cardinals-star-trey-mcbride

NFL Week 5 latest intel, buzz questions, news, fantasy tips: What we're hearing (Which team most needs to make a trade -- and at what position? (Fowler: The Lions should make a move for a cornerback. They were in on Joey Porter Jr. before Pittsburgh traded him to Dallas. Detroit's secondary is swimming right now, and though safety Brian Branch is close to a return and safety Kerby Joseph should eventually be back, the Lions don't have enough corner help to run the coverages they want. This team has elite players on both sides of the ball and must embrace its window of contention, whether it's slipping away or not.  One potential option is Kansas City's Kristian Fulton, who is in and out of the Chiefs' lineup. He is owed real money -- $5 million of his $9.75 million base salary is guaranteed -- but perhaps the Chiefs and Lions could split the bill to facilitate a deal. Is it worth calling Pittsburgh for Jalen Ramsey? Not sure he's available, but the Lions' defense seems far from settled.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/50116787/week-5-buzz-fantasy-predictions-graziano-fowler-2026

2026 NFL First-Quarter All-Pro Team: Lamar Jackson leads the team at QB, Will Anderson Jr. headlines defense (EDGE: Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-all-pro-team-2026

2026 NFL offensive line rankings: Lions rise, Eagles fall without Lane Johnson (4. Detroit Lions (up 12) - The Lions came into 2026 with a lot of question marks on the offensive line, but every one has been answered positively so far. Left tackle Penei Sewell has steadied himself after some early struggles after his switch to the left side of the line, and rookie right tackle Blake Miller hasn’t looked out of place in the NFL — permitting just eight pressures from 132 pass-blocking snaps. Left guard Christian Mahogany looks to have taken a big step forward in his third year in the NFL, producing a 91.5 PFF grade on 144 snaps so far this season.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-offensive-line-rankings-2026

NFL offensive rookie rankings at quarter mark of 2026 season: Denzel Boston, Jeremiyah Love top list (5. Blake Miller - DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 17 overall.  Miller set the Clemson record for a non-specialist with 54 consecutive starts during his college career. With game experience like that, it shouldn’t be all that surprising to see Miller is off to such a strong start at right tackle (one sack allowed on 130 pass blocks, per Next Gen Stats). He’s good at using his length to run rushers past the top of the pocket and can find his anchor when bull-rushed. He strains as a run blocker but still shows room for improvement with hand placement and usage. It’s early, but the Lions appear to have found their bookend for Penei Sewell.): https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-offensive-rookie-rankings-at-quarter-mark-of-2026-season-denzel-boston-jeremiyah-love-top-list



Grades:

Grades for all 32 teams a month into 2026 NFL season: Raiders, Chiefs, 49ers and Jags tops in league. Meanwhile, an F- for the Chargers? (Detroit Lions (2-2):  This Lions' offense can match firepower with just about anyone. But the state of Detroit's defense is far less encouraging, allowing a league-worst 3.0 points per drive. They've been outscored on the season and are fortunate to be 2-2. They easily could have lost at home to the Saints in Week 1 and needed late plays to hold off the Jets in Detroit. This isn't a winning formula; it's a get-by-and-survive one. The Lions have an early bye after heading to Arizona this weekend, and they clearly must find solutions on the defensive side to be taken seriously as contenders. They can still win the North, but the intimidation factor with facing this team has dissipated. Opponents know they can score against them early and often.  Grade: C):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/grades-for-all-32-teams-a-month-into-2026-nfl-season-raiders-chiefs-49ers-and-jags-tops-in-league-meanwhile-an-f--for-the-chargers-140638568.html

NFC team grades: 49ers top of class through four games (Detroit Lions (2-2): C-.  The Lions' defense ranks dead last in EPA per play and explosive play rate. It's hard to be much worse than that, right? Everyone is frustrated, Dan Campbell is fielding questions about defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, and the talent in the secondary simply isn't up to par. The eventual return of Brian Branch will help, but he can't fix everything — and he shouldn't be expected to — especially coming off an Achilles tear. The offense is generally very good: second in EPA per play and third in success rate and points per drive. But there's so much pressure for Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and co. to score a touchdown every time they touch the ball. Week 4's loss to the Panthers was a prime example: Detroit scored on six of its 10 drives and lost.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfc-team-grades-through-week-4-49ers-rams-eagles/

QB Rankings:

NFL QB rankings, Week 5: C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young vault into top 10 (6.  Jared Goff DET - 2026 stats: 4 games | 67.3 pct | 1114 pass yds | 7.6 ypa | 8 pass TDs | 0 INT | 15 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 3 fumbles. Outside of Detroit’s inability to cash in late against the Panthers, Jared Goff is quietly putting together an excellent season. Lamar Jackson is, too, although his ankle injury leaves me concerned about the Ravens’ immediate outlook, especially after he’d found plenty of success with Zay Flowers over the last two weeks.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-rankings-week-5-2026-nfl-season

QB rankings: Brock Purdy stays No. 1, Drake Maye moves up (7. Jared Goff
Detroit Lions QB:  Jared Goff is the fourth quarterback in NFL history with 1,200-plus passing yards (1,214, the second most in the NFL) and no turnovers through the first four games of a season. The other three are Aaron Rodgers (2020), Patrick Mahomes (2018) and Drew Brees (2018). Goff is the only one of the four without a winning record (2-2) in those games, but that's in large part because the Lions have the NFL's second-worst scoring defense (31.8 points allowed per game). His efficiency has been fantastic, ranking fourth in EPA per dropback (0.26) and fifth in passer rating (108.6). (No change)):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-qb-power-rankings-week-5-brock-purdy-drake-maye/

NFL quarterback rankings: Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts fall after Week 4 (10. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (up 5):  Goff continued his robust start to the 2026 season with another big performance in the Lions’ loss to the Carolina Panthers. At 31 years old, he is on track for a career-best PFF grade, currently leading all qualified quarterbacks with an 86.4 PFF passing grade.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings

NFL running back power rankings entering Week 5 (1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions:  That’s it, the sky is falling. I didn’t want to overreact and shift Gibbs out of the number one spot, but the competition is fierce. The problem, though, is that we just aren’t used to seeing Gibbs with a bad game: 15 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown with four catches for 31 yards. You know that’s changing this week.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-running-back-power-rankings-entering-week-5/

Cardinals Media:



Video:










Diagnosing Just How Poor Detroit Lions 2026 Defense Really Is:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/diagnosing-just-poor-detroit-lions-174035342.html

How can Campbell and Lions stop being ‘mediocre?':  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/campbell-lions-stop-being-mediocre-125509829.html


Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes Did Not Know Secondary Was Subpar:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/detroit-lions-gm-brad-holmes-001413503.html

Posted by LionsFan at 8:48 PM

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