RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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At some point Thursday night, Dan Campbell probably will not care what the scoreboard says in Cincinnati.
He will care about Luke Altmyer’s command of the offense. He will watch Blake Miller handle NFL pass rushers. He will see whether Seth McLaughlin looks like a legitimate temporary answer at center and whether Nick Whiteside, Ahmed Hassanein and a crowded group of receivers can turn strong training camps into roster spots.
The Detroit Lions open the 2026 preseason against the Bengals with most of their established starters expected to sit. That makes this game particularly important for the players living somewhere between No. 40 and No. 60 on Brad Holmes’ roster.
Detroit entered camp with several legitimate competitions, and the first two weeks have already changed the picture. Whiteside and Hassanein have been among the biggest risers, while injuries have created new opportunities along the offensive line and secondary.
So before the Lions play their first preseason snap, here is my current prediction for Detroit’s initial 53-man roster .
One important note: I am projecting Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph to begin the season on Reserve/PUP , meaning neither counts against this 53. Both continue recovering from significant injuries, and Campbell has indicated their returns are likely to come after the regular season has already started.
Quarterback: 3
Jared Goff Josh Dobbs Luke Altmyer
Cuts: None
This projection changed dramatically when Teddy Bridgewater stepped away and Detroit signed Dobbs.
Before camp, keeping three quarterbacks seemed unlikely. Now I think the Lions may have to.
Altmyer has done enough this summer to make exposing him to waivers uncomfortable. His development was already attracting attention before Bridgewater’s departure, and Thursday night could strengthen his case significantly because Campbell expects the rookie to handle a heavy workload.
Dobbs gives Detroit the experienced backup it wanted.
Altmyer gives it a quarterback worth developing.
Prediction: Detroit finds room for all three.
Running Back: 4
Jahmyr Gibbs Isiah Pacheco Sione Vaki Jacob Saylors
Cuts: Jabari Small, Kye Robichaux, Raheem Blackshear
The first three are easy.
The fourth is anything but.
Campbell has described Saylors and Small as essentially trading punches throughout camp, with special teams expected to be an important factor. Detroit kept four running backs on its initial roster last season, and that remains the logical number.
Right now, I give Saylors the slightest edge .
Small can absolutely flip this prediction during the preseason.
Wide Receiver: 5
Amon-Ra St. Brown Jameson Williams Isaac TeSlaa Greg Dortch Dominic Lovett
Cuts: Cedrick Wilson, Tay Martin, Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham, Lucky Jackson, Tarik Black
This might be the position where I change my mind the fastest.
Campbell called this the deepest receiver room Detroit has had during his tenure and said the competition behind the established group is wide open.
St. Brown, Williams and TeSlaa are secure. Dortch’s return ability and familiarity with Drew Petzing’s offense make him extremely difficult to leave off. Detroit also values exactly the type of offensive and special-teams versatility Dortch provides.
That leaves one spot in this projection.
I’m taking Dominic Lovett .
Cedrick Wilson’s experience makes him dangerous in this battle, while Tom Kennedy seems to spend every August refusing to disappear.
Five receivers might also be too few if this group plays as well as Campbell believes it can.
Tight End: 3
Sam LaPorta Brock Wright Tyler Conklin
Cuts: Jackson Meeks, Thomas Gordon, Zach Horton
Injured reserve: Miles Kitselman
Here is one of my toughest cuts.
Jackson Meeks has a real chance.
The converted receiver has caught Campbell’s attention because of his ability to separate and contribute on special teams. Detroit believes his toughness gives the coaching staff ways to use him even though he is lighter than a traditional tight end.
For now, I still have LaPorta, Wright and Conklin.
Do not write Meeks’ name down in ink on the cut list.
Offensive Line: 9
Penei Sewell Christian Mahogany Cade Mays Tate Ratledge Blake Miller Larry Borom Miles Frazier Juice Scruggs Seth McLaughlin
Cuts: Ben Bartch, Devin Cochran, Michael Niese, Mason Miller, Colby Sorsdal, Melvin Priestly
NFI: Giovanni Manu
Detroit’s offensive line suddenly became much more complicated when Mays fractured a bone in his wrist.
Mays is expected to miss roughly eight to 10 weeks, meaning the Lions need a short-term solution at center while still accounting for Mays when constructing their roster.
McLaughlin has received first-team work since the injury and earned positive reviews from Goff. Scruggs remains part of the competition once his soft-tissue injury clears.
The Lions already entered camp with three projected new starters on the offensive line, including rookie Blake Miller at right tackle.
Detroit could absolutely keep 10 here.
For now, I am squeezing it to nine because Borom and Frazier provide valuable positional flexibility.
Bubble player: Ben Bartch.
Interior Defensive Line: 5
Alim McNeill Tyleik Williams Levi Onwuzurike Mekhi Wingo Skyler Gill-Howard
Cuts: Chris Smith, Myles Adams, Ben Stille, Tyre West
Injured reserve: Aidan Keanaaina
The final spot here is another preseason battle.
McNeill, Williams and Onwuzurike are safe. Wingo has enough developmental value to stick if healthy.
I’m giving Gill-Howard the fifth position because of the upside Detroit saw when bringing him into the organization.
The Lions intentionally assembled different body types and skill sets across their defensive front this offseason after losing DJ Reader, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Roy Lopez.
This is a position where somebody could force his way onto the roster over the next three games.
EDGE: 5
Aidan Hutchinson DJ Wonnum Tyler Lacy Derrick Moore Ahmed Hassanein
Cuts: Anthony Lucas, Eric O’Neill, Payton Tur...
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