With Detroit Lions training camp just over a week away, the battle for a 53-man roster spot is about to get intense, and one undrafted rookie quarterback could totally shake things up. Yeah, we are talking about Luke Altmyer, who is currently seen as a practice squad candidate, but don’t count him out. If this kid balls out in the preseason, it is absolutely going to spark some interesting conversations for the coaching staff. You just know Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater are set at quarterback, but Altmyer is definitely the wild card to watch.
Running Backs Are Stacked, but the Tight Ends Are a Head-Scratcher
The running back room in Detroit looks solid with Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, and Sione Vaki practically locks for the squad. The real question is whether the team decides to carry a fourth back. Historically, they usually do. And when they picked Jacob Saylors over Craig Reynolds last season, it was a massive clue to how much they value Saylors’ special teams play. That kind of versatility can be a roster spot saver, plain and simple.
Now, the tight end situation? That is where it gets murky. The Lions have only kept three tight ends recently, with Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Tyler Conklin looking good. But last year’s depleted depth has some folks wondering if 2026 is the year they stash a fourth. It is super tough to pick between Zach Horton, Thomas Gordon, and Miles Kitselman right now, there just has not been enough observation on any of them. If offensive coordinator Drew Petzing wants to run more 13 personnel, they would definitely need that fourth guy. But with all the investment in the wide receiver group, it is not a given that 13 personnel is even in the cards. So for now, it is looking like three tight ends.
Wide Receiver Talent, Offensive Line Depth, and a Year 2 Jump
The wide receiver battle has some serious names like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. But here is the kicker: Dominic Lovett, a guy they invested in, originally did not even make the initial 52-man cut in these predictions. He has underwhelmed with drops and only clocked 50 special teams snaps in his rookie year. Still, the investment means a Year 2 jump is totally possible, and that is why he is back in the mix. Jackson Meeks was considered, especially because the tight end group was kept light, but he is still a work in progress at both receiver and tight end. On the offensive line, Giovanni Manu just squeezed in as one of the last players. He might be inactive most weeks, but the team is reportedly willing to give him another year to develop. That is the kind of patience that can pay off big time.
With training camp about to kick off, every single rep is going to matter. The competition for these final spots is going to be fierce, and we are all watching to see which players rise to the occasion and prove they belong on that 53-man roster for the season opener.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Leave a Reply