We’re lastly cracking the top-10 gamers for the 2026 Detroit Lions season. As a reminder, this checklist was created by having eight completely different workers members rank all the roster from 90 to 1 and averaging out every poll to create a consensus checklist.
This yr’s top-10 consists of 9 gamers who made the identical checklist final yr. The one newcomer shot all the best way into the highest 5. However for this text, we’re solely tackling the gamers we ranked 10 by way of 6, all of whom made final yr’s top-10.
10. Alim McNeill (Highest: 7 Lowest: 13)
McNeill drops solely a spot after final yr’s disappointing however comprehensible season. Many had been looking forward to McNeill’s return from his ACL damage, and whereas that first sport again supplied some critical hope, it was clear Detroit’s star defensive sort out nonetheless wasn’t fairly himself.
He’s coming into 2026 with a willpower to show he’s nonetheless a high inside defender on this league, however with solely a few seasons to point out for it, there’s some comprehensible skepticism—significantly after that 2024 ACL tear.
9. TE Sam LaPorta (Highest 7; Lowest: 10)
LaPorta, too, drops a spot after an injury-hampered 2025 marketing campaign. The outlook is way brighter for LaPorta, nevertheless, as he has been absolutely cleared of his again damage previous to coaching camp, and there’s no cause to consider he can’t return to type instantly. That stated, again accidents very not often simply go away ceaselessly, so it’ll be one thing to watch.
Nonetheless, LaPorta was producing like a top-five tight finish, and his blocking additionally took a number of strides previous to his damage. If he can put all of that collectively in 2026, he’ll not solely possible climb towards the top-five subsequent yr, however there’s possible a contract extension ready for him, as nicely.
8. S Brian Department (Highest: 4; Lowest: 13)
Persevering with the theme of accidents inflicting a drop within the rankings, Brian Department falls out of the top-five after tearing his Achilles late final season. Department is just not anticipated to be prepared to begin the season, and it wouldn’t be stunning to see him miss a minimum of half of the yr. That makes him a troublesome participant to rank on this yr’s countdown, particularly since we do not know how he’ll look in his first on-field motion.
However Department remains to be broadly revered for his means to return down and defend the field, his instincts within the passing sport, and his hard-hitting mentality. There’s a cause that regardless of his damage, NFL execs and coaches nonetheless have Department because the No. 4 security within the NFL.
7. WR Jameson Williams (Highest: 6; Lowest: 10)
Final yr’s rating: 10
After taking one more step, Williams climbs a couple of spots in our rankings. Final yr, Williams set profession highs in receptions (65), yards (1,117), and tied his profession excessive in touchdowns (7). Statistically, that put him among the many top-10 receivers within the league.
Williams has gone from an inconsistent, big-play menace to a trusted, versatile participant who has a really sturdy case for one of the best No. 2 receiver within the NFL. His developmental curve is among the largest I’ve personally witnessed, and there’s a perception he nonetheless has lots left within the tank we haven’t seen.
6. QB Jared Goff (Highest: 5; Lowest: 12)
So begins the annual custom of debating whether or not Jared Goff is a top-five participant on the group or not. On one hand, he’s produced statistically as a top-five quarterback in every of the final 4 seasons, and it’s exhausting to think about somebody being higher or extra vital on the group than a top-five quarterback.
However, Goff is mostly not thought to be a top-five quarterback within the league, whereas the remaining gamers on this checklist (in no order: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell) are all virtually universally believed to be top-five gamers at their place.
It’s a enjoyable debate to have, however take a look at it this manner: Detroit could have a top-five quarterback within the league, and the truth that our workers believes he might not be a top-five participant on the group simply exhibits how a lot ridiculous top-end expertise this squad has.
