The Detroit Lions just wrapped up manatory minicamp on Wednesday and now we have about six weeks until they begin training camp. After the spring activities, we got some questions answered. Here’s what we believe this 53-man roster is going to look like at this time:

Lions post-draft 2026 53-man roster projection

Quarterback (3)

In: Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater, Luke Altmeyer
Out: N/A

Skinny: Going into the spring we felt like there was no way the Lions would carry three quarterbacks on the roster and that Altmyer was most likely to land on the practice squad. But the kid has looked pretty good. Of course you have to factor in that this is a pajama party right now. But he might be able to land a spot if this translates to training camp.

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Running Back (3)

In: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki
Out: Jacob Saylors, Kye Robichaux, Jabari Small

Skinny: The only real question is here do the Lions want to carry four running backs and hold on Jacob Saylors on the 53, or do they want to try to have him on their practice squad? Everything is fairly obvious.

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Wide Receiver (5)

In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Jackson Meeks
Out: Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham, Dominic Lovett, Cedrick Wilson, Tarik Black, Lucky Jackson, Tay Martin
PUP: Kendrick Law

Skinny: It certainly looks like Jackson Meeks is going to be a tight end for the Lions, but they have yet to fully confirm that change, so we’re putting him on the roster here. He could be a real hidden X-factor at some point down the stretch at tight end. Beyond that, it was hard to go with six receivers because then I had to cut someone else in another area and I just couldn’t do it.

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Tight End (3)

In: Sam LaPorta, Tyler Conklin, Brock Wright
Out: Zach Horton, Thomas Gordon, Miles Kitselman

Skinny: If the Meeks thing is really happening, then four tight ends make a lot of sense for the Lions. I think Kitselman has a real shot to land on the roster too. This tight end battle;e might be more fun than we expected.

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Offensive Line (9)

In: Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Cade Mays, Tate Ratledge, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs, Ben Bartch
Out: Giovanni Manu, Melvin Priestly, Colby Sorsdal, Michael Niese, Devin Cochran, Seth McLaughlin,

Skinny: This lineup gives the Liosn the most flexibility. Bartch and Scrugggs can play multiple positions on the interior and Frazier an play tackle. I”m not sure if any of the other guys are going to be able to land a spot at this time. Maybe Sorsdal can swing that third tackle spot on the roster.

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Defensive Line (9)

In: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNiell, Tyliek Williams, Derrick Moore, D.J. Wonnum, Ahmed Hassanien, Skyler Gill-Howard, Anthony Lucas, Tyler Lacy
Out: Myles Adams, Levi Onwuzurike, Payton Turner, Chris Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Tyre West Aidan Keanaaina

Skinny: The Lions could still use some help on the interior, but Lacy has been showing some things and he’s actually repping ahead of Onwuzurkie already. Skyler Gill-Howard is someone I’m going to have my eyes glued to at came and there is already hype around Anthony Lucas including the quote “How was this guy not drafted?” from a coach.

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Linebackers (6)

In: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jimmy Rolder, Malcolm Rodriguez, Damone Clark, Trevor Nowaske,
Out: Erick Hunter, Joe Bachie

Skinny: Pretty cut and dry here. Hunter has a shot to make the roster, but he does have an uphill battle;e and right now Nowaske is ahead of him.

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Cornerbacks (6)

In: Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Keith Abney, Roger McCreary, Ennis Rakestraw, Rock Ya-Sin,
Out: Khalil Dorsey, Nick Whiteside, De’Shawn Rucker, Aamaris Brown

Skinny: Dorsey is the only guy I’m not totally sure about. He’s a really good gunner on special teams, but we never really get to see him on defense. I wouldn’t be shocked if I moved this to seven cornerbacks at some point.

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Safety (6)

In: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper
Out: Loren Strickland, Dan Jackson

Skinny: You’ll notice that I don’t Branch starting the season on the PUP here and I’ve got Kerby Joseph here too. That’s the feeling right now. That both of these guys are there Week 1 for the Lions and ready to go. This is the deepest spot on the defense if that happens.

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Special Teams (3)

In: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Out:

Skinny: Nothing changing here. Don’t see any change in this department for a long time.