Detroit Lions

Jackson Meeks

WR

Meeks inked a reserve/future contract with the Lions in January after spending the entire 2025 season on the team's practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster twice last year but didn't record any stats, playing five snaps on offense and 23 snaps on special teams. In order to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, Meeks will need to display impressive development at his new position, particularly as a blocker.

Lawrence Keys III

WR

Lawrence last spent time with the Bills in 2024 but was let go prior to the season due to a leg injury. The 26-year-old had one catch for 13 yards in his singular preseason game in Buffalo. The former Tulane prospect will compete for a spot on the Lions' 53-man roster as the offseason program continues.

Kendrick Law

WR

Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters in early June that Law tore his ACL during practice, so his move to IR comes as no surprise. Law, a 2026 fifth-round pick from Kentucky, appeared in 12 games during his final collegiate season, catching 53 passes for 540 yards and three touchdowns. In related moves, Detroit signed wideouts Tay Martin, Tarik Black and Lucky Jackson.

Lucky Jackson

WR

The 28-year-old was one of three receivers brought in by the Lions on Wednesday, joining Tay Martin and Tarik Black. Jackson last appeared in three regular-season games for the Vikings in 2023, failing to record an offensive stat across 35 total snaps (32 on special teams, three on offense).

Tarik Black

WR

Black spent time with the Dolphins during the 2025 offseason but ultimately failed to make the 53-man roster. His last in-game NFL action came with the Jets in 2021, when he caught one of two targets for 10 yards during one contest. Now with the Lions, expect the Texas product to compete for a reserve role as the offseason progresses.

Tay Martin

WR

Martin made three appearances for the Commanders last season, catching both of his targets for 23 yards while playing 72 total snaps (42 on special teams, 30 on offense). Now in Detroit, he's expected to compete for a reserve role in the receiving corps ahead of the 2026 season.

Isaac TeSlaa

WR

Campbell noted that he wished Detroit had gotten TeSlaa more touches as a rookie and said the receiver "became a guy [...] we had a lot of trust in" down the stretch. The 2025 third-round pick appeared in all 17 regular-season games, recording 16 catches for 239 yards and six touchdowns. While TeSlaa faces stiff competition for targets alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta (back), the "consistency" that Campbell praised could help him earn a larger role in 2026.

Sam LaPorta

TE

LaPorta, who underwent surgery this past November to address a herniated disc in his back, hasn't taken part in full-speed team drills this spring. However, the tight end did work with the Lions' first-team offense during the 25-minute jog-through portion of Tuesday's session before working off to the side with a trainer during seven-on-seven and position drills. As LaPorta progresses toward working fully coming training camp, Birkett adds that the 2023 second-rounder is expected to sign a contract extension with Detroit at some point this summer. Prior to his injury, LaPorta recorded a 40/489/3 receiving line (on 49 targets) in nine regular-season contests in 2025.

Penei Sewell

OT

Brian Branch

S

The safety tore his ACL in Week 14 of the 2025 campaign, and while he's on track in his recovery, he has not recovered just yet, per Woodyard. It's also possible that Branch opens the 2026 campaign on the physically unable to perform list, according to Woodyard, citing Lions coach Dan Campbell. Branch recorded 75 tackles (48 solo) and nine pass breakups in 12 games last year.

Kerby Joseph

S

Joseph sat out all of Detroit's last 13 games in 2025 due to a lingering knee injury, and he's apparently still not in shape for football activities with OTAs in progress. As long as he remains unavailable, veteran free agent acquisition Chuck Clark could see more opportunities to work with the first team.

Jahmyr Gibbs

RB

"We're gonna hang our hat on him," said Campbell, whose assumption of play-calling duties last November coincided with a decline in David Montgomery's role. Gibbs' rushing efficiency also declined, though not until the final month, and he averaged 5.3 catches per game with Campbell calling plays. The Lions then traded Montgomery to Houston this offseason, with Isiah Pacheco coming in as a much cheaper depth option on a one-year, $1.8 million contract. Campbell is expected to call plays again, despite hiring an offensive coordinator (Drew Petzing) with plenty of experience in that regard.

Jack Campbell

LB

The Lions declined Campbell's fifth-year option for 2027 ($21.9 million) and now will keep him around long term on a deal that likely lands much softer on the 2027 cap sheet. He now deservedly ranks among the highest-paid off-ball LBs in the NFL, coming off a 2025 campaign with 176 tackles, including 5.0 sacks, four pass defenses, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Campbell hasn't missed a game since the Lions took him 28th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cedrick Wilson Jr.

WR

The 2018 sixth-round pick from Boise State spent his 2025 campaign with the Dolphins, but he's found a new home in Detroit. Across 10 appearance last season, Wilson played 207 offensive snaps and caught five of nine targets for 44 yards. He's expected to compete for a reserve role in the Lions' receiver corps as the offseason progresses.

Miles Kitselman

TE

Kitselman spent the 2025 season with Tennessee, where he caught 26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He will look to compete for a depth spot on Detroit's roster and could be a candidate to land on their practice squad.

Jay Tufele

DT

Tufele appeared in 12 games in a depth role with the Jets in 2025, but now he's moving on to his third team in as many seasons. It looks like the Lions are going to be without veteran starter DJ Reader, so it's not hard to imagine Tufele earning a spot on the team's 53-man roster for 2026.

Joe Bachie

LB

Detroit will be Bachie's fourth team in as many years. He's logged regular-season snaps, mostly on special teams, in each of his seven seasons since he made his pro debut with Philadelphia in 2020. The Lions lost veteran starter Alex Anzalone to the Buccaneers in free agency back in March, so there could be room for Bachie to stick on the 53-man roster in a depth role in 2026.

Tyre West

DT

West spent his entire four-year college career in Tennessee, and while he wasn't a consistent starter on defense for the Volunteers, he did see his playing time steadily increase. He finished the 2025 season with 23 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defense across 12 games. West primarily operated as an edge rusher in college but would also line up in a three-point stance on the interior defensive line. The latter position could be his calling card in the NFL, given his shorter stature (6-foot-2, 283-pound frame).

Skyler Gill-Howard

DT

Gill-Howard doesn't boast a lengthy resume, playing three seasons at Northern Illinois (only one start) before transferring to Texas Tech in 2025, where he started the first six games before an ankle injury prematurely ended his campaign. Gill-Howard's measurables (6-foot-1, 280 pounds), arm length and hand size are underwhelming for his position, but he's athletic for his frame and has developed an array of rushing moves. He's also willing to be physical in the running game. He'll slot in as a depth option for the Lions and will aim to overcome his size limitations at the next level.

Keith Abney II

CB

Abney mostly served as an outside corner during his three-year college career at Arizona State, and he was named to the All-Big 12 First-Team in 2025 after posting 44 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and 12 pass defenses (two interceptions) across 12 games. Abney allowed a completion rate of just 44.4 percent when targeted in 2025, a testament to how feisty he can be given his slightly undersized 5-foot-10 frame. He has the athletic instincts and anticipation to thrive both in zone defense and man-to-man and could establish himself as a key piece to the Lions' secondary if he can continue to develop his technique and discipline. Abney figures to enter training camp battling for a depth role at cornerback behind Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and D.J. Reed, with Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary and Christian Izien also in the mix.

Jimmy Rolder

LB

Rolder didn't start until his fourth year at Michigan, but he impressed at weakside linebacker as a run stopper and in coverage. While he didn't run the 40-yard dash, he's considered to be a strong athlete. Rolder plays aggressively and is a sure tackler, as he had a 4.7 percent missed tackle rate in 2025. He likely needs to develop a bit considering his lack of experience, but he was a dependable special-teams player at Michigan and should contribute in that facet immediately with the Lions.

Derrick Moore

DE

Moore spent his entire four-year college career with Michigan, and he will stay in state after being scooped up by the Lions. He was an Honorable Mention on the All-Big Ten teams in both 2023 and 2024 before breaking out in his senior year in 2025, when he posted 30 tackles, including 10.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and three pass defenses across 12 games, en route to being selected to the All-Big Ten First-Team. Moore's steady increase in production over the course of his college career could translate to the NFL, and he has the size, athleticism and physicality to compete at the next level. His addition upgrades a Lions defensive front that is headlined by fellow former Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson.

Blake Miller

OT

Miller (6-foot-7, 317 pounds) was a standout four-year starter at Clemson, where he developed his reputation as a rugged right tackle. Miller was a better athlete than expected at the combine, logging excellent marks across the board and making clear that his NFL transition should be about as easy as it gets. Expect Miller to start at right tackle while Penei Sewell moves over to the left.

Avonte Maddox

CB

Maddox spent last season with the Lions, and in 2026 he figures to bolster the team's depth at safety. The veteran began the 2025 campaign in a reserve role but finished the year as a starter due to injury attrition at the position. With starting strong safety Brian Branch in recovery mode from a torn Achilles that he suffered in early December, Maddox could be a fantasy-relevant option in IDP formats to begin 2026.

Chuck Clark

S

Clark spent last year with the Steelers, where he totaled 51 tackles (31 solo), three pass defenses and one forced fumble across 15 regular-season appearances. That marked the veteran safety's lowest tackle total since 2018, and he also took a step backward in terms of pass coverage. He now stands to handle a rotational role in with the Lions, behind starting safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee).