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We ranked every NFL team by under-25 talent: What are the league's best young cores? (23. Detroit Lions - Last year's rank: 6. Blue chips: RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Notable graduated players: S Kerby Joseph, TE Sam LaPorta, OT Penei Sewell, WR Jameson Williams The Lions have a lot of important 25-year-old players, not just the four mentioned above. There's also safety Thomas Harper and offensive linemen Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany. Detroit still has a good amount of young talent left, however. Gibbs doesn't turn 25 until March. Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa is also 24, while Blake Miller, a first-round rookie tackle, is 22. On defense, safety/nickelback Brian Branch will likely be back on the field after recovering from an Achilles tear when he turns 25 in October. Last year's first-round pick, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, is still 23. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who has battled injuries, is 24, while second-round rookie edge rusher Derrick Moore is 23.):
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49417396/2026-ranking-all-32-nfl-teams-25-young-players
10 make-or-break players for NFL contenders in 2026 (C Cade Mays, Detroit Lions: As the Lions look to return to the playoffs following a down 2025 season, there are multiple areas of the team under the microscope in 2026. In particular, the focus is on the newcomer Mays. One of the biggest reasons why Detroit took a step back last year was the play of its interior offensive line, a group that tumbled to 24th in overall PFF grade. Center was a particular problem, with Graham Glasgow finishing with a 56.8 grade prior to being released this offseason. In order to fill its void up the middle, Detroit signed Mays to a three-year, $25 million contract this spring. Over the last two seasons, Mays has shined in pass protection, ranking in the top 10 in both pressure rate (3.0%) and PFF pass-blocking grade (72.0) among qualified centers. However, his run-blocking has been less effective with a 62.5 grade in that span. If Mays can help shore up Detroit’s offensive line, then the Lions should return to the offensive juggernaut we’re accustomed to; staying on schedule will be key given the team’s 12th-ranked success rate in 2025. However, if Mays gets off to a bad start on his new team, it certainly won’t help Dan Campbell’s bunch.):
https://www.pff.com/news/10-make-or-break-players-for-nfl-contenders-in-2026
PFF Tight End Rankings: The top 32 players ahead of the 2026 NFL season (4. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions: LaPorta missed eight games in 2025 due to a herniated disc but was still one of the best tight ends in the league when he was on the field, placing fifth in the NFL with an 82.0 PFF grade. Since getting drafted in 2023, LaPorta’s 81.2 PFF grade is fourth among all tight ends in football, while his 2,104 receiving yards in that span are fifth. A fully healthy LaPorta could re-establish himself as a top-five tight end in the NFL.):
https://www.pff.com/news/pff-tight-end-rankings-the-top-32-players-ahead-of-the-2026-nfl-season
NFL 2026: The X-Factor Player For All 32 Teams (Detroit Lions: CB Rock Ya-Sin - When Terrion Arnold was healthy in the first half of the season, Ya-Sin was not a major part of the program. In Weeks 1-9, Ya-Sin had just 98 coverage snaps, and he allowed 10 catches on 19 targets for 94 yards, 10 yards after the catch, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 84.1. With Arnold out, Ya-Sin’s participation went way up. In Weeks 10-18, he had 284 coverage snaps (only Amik Robertson had more among Detroit’s cornerbacks with 287), and Ya-Sin responded with authority. He gave up 17 catches on 31 targets for 193 yards, 70 yards after the catch, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 73.7. Ya-Sin didn’t have an interception last season, but he also allowed only one touchdown on all those targets):
https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/why-rock-ya-sin-could-be-the-lions-most-consequential-defensive-player-in-2026
NFL training camps are opening: 1 key storyline for all 32 teams (Detroit Lions - Detroit’s thin secondary after release of Terrion Arnold. The Lions released Arnold after he was arrested on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. His release created a void at starting cornerback in the Motor City after Arnold started 22 of his 24 career games in Detroit. The Lions had a below average pass defense even with Arnold in the lineup. Cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary and rookie fourth-round pick Keith Abney II are candidates to start alongside D.J. Reed.):
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/07/22/nfl-training-camp-preview/90774628007/
Twelve NFL Contract Situations to Monitor Heading Into Training Camp (RBs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, Atlanta Falcons; Detroit Lions
Both running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs became extension eligible this offseason and could each command record-setting contracts. Sports Illustrated ranked Robinson and Gibbs as the two best running backs in the NFL heading into 2026, and as such, they have a legitimate chance to reset the running back market. They’ve been lumped together here because whichever back signs first will likely determine the amount and timing of the other’s deal.):
https://www.si.com/nfl/twelve-nfl-contract-situations-to-monitor-heading-into-training-camp-01ky2q19jjx0
Burning Questions for Every NFL Team Heading Into the 2026 Season (Detroit Lions - Is their secondary good enough? With Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph returning from injuries, and Terrion Arnold released after he was arrested on kidnapping and armed robbery charges, the Lions’ secondary is looking thin. Statistically, the Lions pass defense wasn’t horrible last season—ranking 21st in passing yards allowed and 14th in EPA per pass—but there were plenty of moments they left more to be desired between their games against the Packers, Giants and Rams. With Arnold’s release and injuries to its two best secondary players, the unit could be at risk of regressing in 2026.):
https://www.si.com/nfl/burning-questions-every-team#inline-text-53
Ranking the 10 Best NFL Running Backs for 2026: Saquon Barkley Is No Longer in the Top Five (2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions - 2025 stats: 243 carries, 1,223 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns (5.0 YPC), 77 receptions, 616 receiving yards, five touchdowns. Gibbs has spent his entire career with the Lions, splitting carries with his former backfield partner, David Montgomery. Now, the tandem that was fittingly nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles” has separated after Montgomery was dealt to the Texans. That means 2026 will be the Gibbs show in Detroit, and he’ll have the backfield all to himself. Even without the volume of touches that a typical RB1 gets, Gibbs has consistently put up huge numbers. In 2025, he racked up 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He was also an efficient receiver with 79 receptions, 820 yards and four touchdowns. He should see even more of the ball in ’26, and he could be in for a monster season for the Lions. – K.R.):
https://www.si.com/nfl/10-best-nfl-running-backs-2026-saquon-barkley-not-top-five
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