Lions 2026 schedule manageable, but final 4 games will decide it all
A couple quick thoughts from Dave Birkett on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule release, Thursday, May 14.
The Detroit Lions filled most of their biggest needs in last month’s NFL draft. They landed a new starting right tackle, a new rotational defensive end and depth help at linebacker, defensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver.
The Lions have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, but the offseason’s not over. Training camps are still more than two months away and they sit $23.6 million under the salary cap, according to NFL Players Association records, the 14th-most available cap space in the NFL.
The Lions do not appear poised to make any notable additions before the league goes on hiatus next month, but they have the flexibility to do so if necessary.
Here are five players they can spend their money on to bolster their roster for 2026:
DE Cam Jordan
The Lions signed DJ Wonnum in free agency and traded up to take Derrick Moore in the second round of the draft. With Aidan Hutchinson locked in at one defensive end spot and Levi Onwuzurike capable of playing the big end role, the Lions have the makings of a solid group of edge rushers. But Moore’s a rookie, and Onwuzurike’s missed more games (43) than he’s played (42) in his five-year career, so there’s reason to believe the Lions still could use insurance at the position.
Jordan is more than insurance. He’s an eight-time Pro Bowler who had 10½ sacks last season at age 36 and won’t play cheap this fall. But he’s still a free agent, and until he signs, he’ll be considered the best fit for the Lions defense given his pass-rushing profile and familiarity with Dan Campbell from their days together with the New Orleans Saints.
DE Jadeveon Clowney
Sticking with the defensive end position, Clowney, like Jordan, is an aging pass rusher – he’ll play this fall at 33 years old – who can collapse a pocket and still showed the ability to get to the quarterback with 8½ sacks for the Dallas Cowboys last year.
If the Lions add another big end, that would free Onwuzurike up to play more inside, where the Lions have several young sub-package rushers (Mekhi Wingo and 2026 draft picks Tyre West and Skyler Gill-Howard) but little proven depth behind starters Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams.
TE Will Dissly
The Lions missed on the chance to add a tight end in the draft with Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright and Tyler Conklin all on expiring contracts, but my sense is they feel comfortable at the position for 2026 after losing LaPorta and Wright to season-ending injuries last year.
If that changes, Dissly would be the best fit among the tight ends still left in free agency, assuming he’s healthy. Dissly is not the same pass-catching weapon as Jonnu Smith, and he wouldn’t bring the familiarity of Taysom Hill (with Campbell) or Pharoah Brown (with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing), but he’s one of the best run-blocking tight ends in football and did have 50 catches two years ago for the Los Angeles Chargers.
TE WATCH: Trey McBride: Lions’ Sam LaPorta ‘going to eat’ with OC Drew Petzing
CB Trevon Diggs
I don’t know what Diggs has left in his body after a couple injury-filled seasons. He split his time last year between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers and allowed a passer rating of 154.2, according to Pro Football Reference.
Diggs is a long way removed from the 11-interception season he had in 2021, but at 27 years old, he’s a reclamation project some team will take a chance on this summer. The Lions have Rock Ya-Sin and Ennis Rakestraw waiting in the wings behind starters D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold. I’d take both those players over Diggs. But if they suddenly need more depth at cornerback, Diggs is a better roll of the dice than other available free agents like Marshon Lattimore and L’Jarius Sneed.
NT Daniel Ekuale
The Lions signed Jay Tufele to a minimum deal after the draft to be their backup nose tackle. Tufele made two starts last season for the New York Jets and at 26 years old is younger than anyone on this list. He also missed the end of last season with a foot injury and has a half-sack total in his career.
If the Lions need another option at the nose tackle spot, Ekuale was a part-time player for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year who made 16 starts for the New England Patriots in 2024. He’s a big run stuffer who won’t dent the salary cap and would give the Lions another veteran option behind Williams.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
