Detroit
Lions

The Detroit Lions' defensive landscape is under scrutiny as Alim McNeill finds himself outside the league's top-tier defensive tackle rankings, while the team grapples with potential cornerback solutions. ESPN's ongoing series highlighting the NFL's elite at each position has, thus far, seen Lions players like Jahmyr Gibbs (2nd at RB) and Aidan Hutchinson (5th at EDGE) earn significant recognition. However, the latest installment focusing on defensive tackles conspicuously omitted McNeill, not even listing him among honorable mentions or those receiving votes. This marks another season where the highly-paid DT, currently the eighth highest-paid at his position, has failed to garner the respect of league executives and coaches. McNeill's exclusion isn't entirely unexpected given his injury-shortened 2025 season, which saw career lows in sacks, forced fumbles, QB hits, and pressures. Still, his absence is notable after he was also overlooked in the 2025 offseason following a breakout 2024 campaign that saw him become the first Lions DT since Ndamukong Suh to record 5.0 sacks. Despite a significant contract extension, McNeill's impact has not consistently matched his financial standing or the team's investment. General Manager Brad Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell view McNeill as a cornerstone, but his production has lagged behind Hutchinson's. An offseason focused on strength training rather than ACL recovery could be the catalyst for McNeill to finally deliver the breakout season expected in 2026. Meanwhile, the Lions' secondary faces uncertainty following the fallout surrounding former cornerback Terrion Arnold. Despite the team's prior efforts to bolster depth in the defensive backfield, the projected loss of Arnold as the other starting outside corner opposite D.J. Reed leaves a significant void. Pride of Detroit's latest video breaks down the team's potential avenues for addressing this deficiency. The discussion explores three primary options: a trade for a cornerback, adding a veteran through free agency, and relying on the current roster depth. While trading for a player like the Browns' Denzel Ward is an exciting prospect, expectations should be tempered. A more probable scenario involves signing a veteran free agent as training camp progresses, offering a balance of cost and availability. Ultimately, the Lions will need to solidify their cornerback position to maintain defensive stability as the 2026 season approaches.