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Detroit Lions among NFL elite in ESPN 2026 roster rankings
Detroit Lions among NFL elite in ESPN 2026 roster rankings
With training camp right around the corner, excitement for the Detroit Lions' 2026 campaign is building.
The Lions' first report dates are in two weeks and Detroit's preseason slate essentially kicks off in a month. Football is indeed just about finally here.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs the buzz keeps building, ESPN put its 2026 NFL roster rankings together. Detroit garnered great respect, checking in with the league's sixth-best roster according to ESPN.
That's in line with NFL.com's post-draft roster rankings, where Eric Edholm also ranked the Lions' roster as the NFL's sixth-best.
Per ESPN's 2026 rankings, only the Los Angeles Rams (No. 1), Philadelphia Eagles (No. 2), Seattle Seahawks (No. 3), Buffalo Bills (No. 4) and Baltimore Ravens (No. 5) have better rosters than the Lions.
Here's what ESPN's Mike Clay wrote about the Lions' biggest strength:
Offensive playmakers. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and TE Sam LaPorta form one of the league's best groups of skill players. This is a group that has helped Detroit finish top five in offensive yards and touchdowns each of the past four seasons.
Gibbs is the only back in league history with at least 11 touchdowns, 1,200 rushing yards and 50 receptions in each of his first three NFL seasons. St. Brown is the only player in NFL history with 90-plus catches in each of his first five NFL seasons. Williams has 1,000-plus yards each of the past two seasons. And LaPorta missed half of 2025 due to injury but still sits third among tight ends in TDs (20) since entering the league in 2023.
And, to no real surprise, the Lions' secondary is regarded as its biggest weakness:
Secondary. This one is not for a lack of talent, but major availability concerns make Detroit's secondary a massive question mark. Cornerback D.J. Reed missed roughly half of last season due to injury and the other starting position opposite him is in question after 2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold was released due to his alleged role in a felony kidnapping case in Tampa, Florida.
Veterans Rock Ya-Sin and Roger McCreary are among those competing for an every-down role. At safety, Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) are both uncertain for Week 1 after suffering major injuries last season. This has the potential to be a very good group, but questions will need to be answered.
Rounding out the NFC North's roster rankings, the Green Bay Packers are ranked No. 10, the Chicago Bears at No. 17 and the Minnesota Vikings at No. 22.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions among NFL elite in ESPN 2026 roster rankings