According to Daniel Popper of The Athleticthree Lions defensemen landed within their positional rankings heading into the 2026 offseason, a reminder that Detroit’s depth and development on defense has not gone unnoticed around the league.
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Here’s a closer look at the Lions players making the list and what it could mean for Brad Holmes offseason decisions.
Alex Anzalone among the best linebackers without the ball
veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone registers in No. 49 overall in Popper’s ranking, with a projected contract of two years, 21 million dollars.
Anzalone has quietly been one of the most reliable pieces of Detroit’s defense over the past five seasons. He has averaged nearly 100 tackles per year with the Lions and continues to thrive as a lanky, athletic off-ball linebacker.
Popper highlights Anzalone’s speed, coverage versatility and pressure value, noting that his 29.0% pressure rate classified second among all off-ball linebackers. While he may not be the most physical defender, his ability to blitz, cover, and diagnose plays makes him very valuable, especially in modern defenses.
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Summary of 2025 statistics:
Al-Quadin Muhammad takes advantage after a year of career
entering No. 79edge runner Al-Quadin Muhammad is projected by Popper to command a two years, $18 million deal.
Muhammad put together a great 2025 season, finishing with 11 bagsthe most among Detroit’s impending free agents. While he doesn’t have elite size or athletic traits for an edge defender, his efficiency stands out.
Popper highlights Muhammad’s ability to win at the end of reps, strong hand use and constant pressure, and notes that he qualified 14th in pressure rate among players with at least 250 pass rush snaps.
That production makes it an ideal. situational pass rusher – the type of player teams covet for third-down packages.
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Summary of 2025 statistics:
They recognize Roy López as a reliable interior presence
defensive tackle Roy Lopez lands on No. 107 in the ranking, with a projection two years, $12 million contract.
Lopez isn’t flashy, but his value lies in doing the dirty work. Popper describes him as a strong, technically sound nose tackle who can hold his own against double teams while also offering some interior oomph on passes.
For a Lions defense that has emphasized toughness and gap integrity up front, Lopez’s ability to stack blockers and control the interior has been quite important.
Summary of 2025 statistics:
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5 tackles for loss/run
What this means for the Lions
Seer three Lions defenders ranked by Daniel Popper reinforces how many tough decisions Detroit may face in the 2026 offseason. Retaining all three won’t be easy, especially with salary cap limitations looming, but each player fills a specific role that aligns with Dan Campbell’s defensive identity.
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Whether Brad Holmes decides to re-sign, replace or reshuffle these positions, one thing is clear: The rest of the league is paying attention to Detroit’s talent pool, and it will cost a lot of money to keep it intact.
The post 3 Detroit Lions Included in 2026 NFL Free Agency Rankings appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.