As the Detroit Lions gear up for the 2026 season, the hunger for a return to championship contention is palpable. After a thrilling run to the NFC Championship Game in 2023, the Lions have experienced back-to-back playoff disappointments—a Divisional Round exit in 2024 followed by a complete postseason absence in 2025. While the team stayed relatively quiet in free agency, banking on internal growth and better health to fuel a comeback, the roster isn't without its question marks.
Offensively, Detroit looks as sharp as ever. Jahmyr Gibbs has established himself as one of the league's premier running backs, while the dynamic duo of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams gives the Lions one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the NFL. But when it comes to defense, two glaring weaknesses stand out like a sore thumb.
According to Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated, the Lions' biggest roster holes are at cornerback and edge rusher—two positions that can make or break a playoff run. "The Lions addressed their biggest needs in the draft," Manzano noted, "but after selecting offensive tackle Blake Miller in the first round, it's not a given that the other players will make an immediate impact."
Manzano specifically highlighted the edge rusher spot, where the team is leaning heavily on second-round pick Derrick Moore—a Michigan product who racked up 10 sacks last season. "It wouldn't be a bad idea if Detroit signed another veteran edge rusher to take pressure off Moore," he added, suggesting that relying on a rookie second-rounder as a starter is far from ideal. With star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson holding down one side, the depth behind him and Moore remains thin.
At cornerback, the situation is equally concerning. The Lions have Terrion Arnold, their 2024 first-round pick, alongside D.J. Reed and free agent addition Roger McCreary. But as Manzano pointed out, "Arnold can't be trusted to start all season," reflecting the inconsistency that has plagued Detroit's secondary for years.
The draft helped patch some holes, but as any Lions fan knows, one weekend can't fix everything. With the season fast approaching, finding reliable answers at these two critical positions could be the difference between another early offseason and a deep playoff run.