While the 2025 campaign was disappointing, the Detroit Lions’ 9-8 finish last season hasn’t scared the experts away.
In his ranking of the NFL’s top 10 most complete rosters, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm ranked the Lions at No. 6.
Here’s what he had to say about why Detroit checks in at No. 6:
The Lions fell out of the playoffs last season, but they still went 9-8 in the NFL’s most balanced division while posting a plus-68 point differential. This team might not boast quite as much firepower as it did a few years ago, but it remains a top-tier roster.
Jared Goff is an upper-echelon QB who has averaged more than 4,500 pass yards and 30 TDs over the past four seasons. He has a battery of game-changing playmakers at his disposal. The Lions’ offensive identity could change slightly without battering-ram RB David Montgomery, but Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the league’s most electric playmakers.
Taylor Decker’s release could affect Detroit’s offensive line, but Penei Sewell is arguably the game’s best tackle and should do just fine in his expected move to the blind side. The biggest question is whether rookie RT Blake Miller and the interior will hold up. But with weapons such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Isaac TeSlaa, the Lions can hang 30-plus points on a lot of teams.
Detroit’s defense remains the biggest question, even while it’s led by top-tier playmakers at each level in Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell and Brian Branch (though Branch is coming off major injury). The remainder of the unit appears solid to average right now, although the defensive line could improve incrementally and a young secondary has a chance to blossom some. – Eric Edholm, NFL.com
It’s understandable why fans would be frustrated after how 2025 unfolded. The Lions didn’t meet expectations. It’s really that simple.
But, Detroit made the move to find a different offensive voice in first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, addressed its needs at offensive tackle and EDGE with Blake Miller and Derrick Moore in the 2026 NFL Draft’s first two rounds and has made some tweaks to its offseason schedule.
But, back to the main point, the Lions just have a number of stars on both sides of the field. Jared Goff is one of the league’s top quarterbacks and he’s got weapons all around him in Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta.
Defensively, Jack Campbell is coming off his finest season and Aidan Hutchinson remains one of the most lethal pass rushers in the NFL. Health is a concern defensively with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, but, when and if healthy, that’s the NFL’s top safety duo.
NFL.com’s top five rosters were the Los Angeles Rams at No. 1, the Seattle Seahawks at No. 2, the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 3, the Baltimore Ravens at No. 4 and the Buffalo Bills at No. 5.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions among NFL Media’s top 10 most complete 2026 rosters
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
