Detroit Lions NFC North

The undrafted rookie out of Delaware is getting a chance to make an impression with the Lions with OTAs underway. As a senior in 2025, he caught 60 passes for 824 yards and five touchdowns, and he also got work returning kicks and punts, which could help him get more practice reps early on.

The Lions declined Campbell's fifth-year option for 2027 ($21.9 million) and now will keep him around long term on a deal that likely lands much softer on the 2027 cap sheet. He now deservedly ranks among the highest-paid off-ball LBs in the NFL, coming off a 2025 campaign with 176 tackles, including 5.0 sacks, four pass defenses, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Campbell hasn't missed a game since the Lions took him 28th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Tufele appeared in 12 games in a depth role with the Jets in 2025, but now he's moving on to his third team in as many seasons. It looks like the Lions are going to be without veteran starter DJ Reader, so it's not hard to imagine Tufele earning a spot on the team's 53-man roster for 2026.

Detroit will be Bachie's fourth team in as many years. He's logged regular-season snaps, mostly on special teams, in each of his seven seasons since he made his pro debut with Philadelphia in 2020. The Lions lost veteran starter Alex Anzalone to the Buccaneers in free agency back in March, so there could be room for Bachie to stick on the 53-man roster in a depth role in 2026.

Gill-Howard doesn't boast a lengthy resume, playing three seasons at Northern Illinois (only one start) before transferring to Texas Tech in 2025, where he started the first six games before an ankle injury prematurely ended his campaign. Gill-Howard's measurables (6-foot-1, 280 pounds), arm length and hand size are underwhelming for his position, but he's athletic for his frame and has developed an array of rushing moves. He's also willing to be physical in the running game. He'll slot in as a depth option for the Lions and will aim to overcome his size limitations at the next level.

West spent his entire four-year college career in Tennessee, and while he wasn't a consistent starter on defense for the Volunteers, he did see his playing time steadily increase. He finished the 2025 season with 23 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defense across 12 games. West primarily operated as an edge rusher in college but would also line up in a three-point stance on the interior defensive line. The latter position could be his calling card in the NFL, given his shorter stature (6-foot-2, 283-pound frame).

Abney mostly served as an outside corner during his three-year college career at Arizona State, and he was named to the All-Big 12 First-Team in 2025 after posting 44 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and 12 pass defenses (two interceptions) across 12 games. Abney allowed a completion rate of just 44.4 percent when targeted in 2025, a testament to how feisty he can be given his slightly undersized 5-foot-10 frame. He has the athletic instincts and anticipation to thrive both in zone defense and man-to-man and could establish himself as a key piece to the Lions' secondary if he can continue to develop his technique and discipline. Abney figures to enter training camp battling for a depth role at cornerback behind Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and D.J. Reed, with Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary and Christian Izien also in the mix.

Maddox spent last season with the Lions, and in 2026 he figures to bolster the team's depth at safety. The veteran began the 2025 campaign in a reserve role but finished the year as a starter due to injury attrition at the position. With starting strong safety Brian Branch in recovery mode from a torn Achilles that he suffered in early December, Maddox could be a fantasy-relevant option in IDP formats to begin 2026.

Clark spent last year with the Steelers, where he totaled 51 tackles (31 solo), three pass defenses and one forced fumble across 15 regular-season appearances. That marked the veteran safety's lowest tackle total since 2018, and he also took a step backward in terms of pass coverage. He now stands to handle a rotational role in with the Lions, behind starting safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee).

Bartch appears fully recovered from the foot sprain that forced his 2025 campaign with the 49ers to come to an early end last December, and he'll now provide depth along the interior of the Lions' offensive line. The 27-year-old guard has started 24 of 55 career regular-season appearances.

Bates has either inked an new contract with the Lions or officially signed the exclusive rights free-agent tender extended to him by the team in early March. In any case, he's positioned to stick with Detroit for the 2026 campaign. Through two seasons in the NFL, Bates has converted 53 of 63 field-goal attempts (84.1 percent) and 118 of 123 extra-point tries (95.9 percent).

Adams spent the entire 2025 season on Detroit's practice squad after he failed to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. The 28-year-old has appeared in 30 career regular-season contests, notching 34 tackles (12 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and one pass breakup.