Previously, I broke down how injuries impacted the Detroit Lions Offensive Positional Needs. Today, let’s take a comprehensive look at the defense.

The Lions’ defense has needed improvement for a while. Adding reliable, healthy, playmakers to the defense may be a high priority for the 2026 NFL Draft. Last year, defensive tackle got the biggest combined need score, and the Lions indeed filled that position in the 1st round with Tyleik Williams. The EDGE position was a very high need last year and remains so.

The combined need score is the summation of positional need (0-5) plus medical concern level (0-5). The higher the score, the greater the need. I’m reserving the focus to the starters and key backups here, with health of the starters weighted more heavily.

For the full returning Lions rundown with injury videos, read my Detroit Lions Returning Players Injury Analysis.

Quick summary of defensive need scores

Detroit Lions defensive positional needs rankings

(In parentheses is player age at the start of the 2026 season, signed-through year, and medical concern level.) *Projected starters.

Edge

*Aidan Hutchinson (26, 2028, 0/10) - Rebounding nicely from his tib/fib fracture from 2024, Hutch should be even stronger in 2026.
*DJ Wonnum (28, 2026, 3/10) - A scary history of MRSA and DVT should not be an issue. He does have quad tendon and ankle surgeries in past though.
Payton Turner (27, 2026, 10/10) - Major concerns due to inability to stay healthy over multiple seasons, including missing all of 2025.
Ahmed Hassanein (24, 2026, 2/10) - A pec injury hindered his rookie season in which he saw no action.

Positional need 5/5

Thankfully, the Lions have Hutchinson, otherwise the EDGE need would be off-the-charts. Even with Hutch, there is still a major need for a quality, long-term, starting EDGE as well as solid backups. Only Hutch is signed past 2026.

Medical concern 2/5

The starters should be fine but the backups have some medical concerns.

TOTAL 7/10

Cornerback

*DJ Reed (29, 2027, 4/10) - A significant hamstring affected much of last season, and he may not have fully returned to form by the end of the season. Can he regain his form for 2026?
*Terrion Arnold (23, 2027, 6/10) - Looking to rebound from season-ending shoulder surgery and concussion.
Ennis Rakestraw (24, 2027, 6/10) - A shoulder surgery in training camp kept him out the entire last season. The year prior, multiple hamstrings kept him out half his rookie season.
Rock Ya-Sin (30, 2026, 2/10) - Over 30, but very reliable and productive last season with the Lions.
Roger McCreary (26, 2026, 2/10) - Accumulation of groin/hip, shoulder, and hamstring injuries over the past three seasons.
Khalil Dorsey (28, 2026, 1/10) - Overcame a 2024 tib/fib fracture, but a wrist injury knocked him out for 6 weeks last season.
Nick Whiteside (26, 2026, 3/10) - Has overcome an Achilles rupture and foot fracture in his past.

Positional need 3/5

Reed is proven but is aging. Arnold is young but still has much to prove. Rakestraw has not been on the field enough to prove anything. Ya-Sin was very good last season but is just on a 1-year deal. All the others are not signed beyond 2026.

Medical concern 3/5

There were major injuries last season with Reed, Arnold, and Rakestraw. They should all start the season fully healthy, but there are reliability concerns. The other CB’s have low medical concern.

TOTAL 6/10

Safety

Kerby Joseph (25, 2029, 10/10) - The knee issue that wiped out most of 2025 is a major concern. The Lions can hope he recovers, but can’t count on it.
Brian Branch (24, 2026, 8/10) - An Achilles rupture carries an uncertain recovery. He likely won’t play until mid-season. A potential contract extension may be put on hold.
Thomas Harper (25, 2026, 7/10) - Two concussions late last season are a big concern if he has another in 2026.
Dan Jackson (25, 2028, 6/10) - A mystery leg injury knocked him out all of his rookie season.
Christian Izien (26, 2026, 2/10) - Multiple soft tissue injuries the past two years are a concern, but he has youth on his side.
Chuck Clark (31, 2026, 3/10) - Rebounding from a rough 2-year stretch of ACL, ankle, and pec injuries, he played 16 games last season.
Avonte Maddox (30, 2026, 5/10) - Some minor injuries last season with the Lions, but mostly reliable. He does have major injuries in his past including a pec tear, toe surgery, and neck issue.
Loren Strickland (26, 2026, 0/10) - He had a thumb injury in 2024, but has otherwise been available during the past 2 seasons with the Lions.

Positional need 1/5

At full health, the starters are young and elite. There are plenty of backups but only Jackson is signed past 2026.

Medical concern 5/5

A year ago at this time, the Lions safety position was the envy of the league. This year, there are major health uncertainties all across the board - both short and long-term. Safety is the highest medical concern position on the entire team which dramatically elevates the need.

TOTAL 6/10

Defensive tackle

*Alim McNeill (26, 2028, 2/10) - Coming off a December 2024 ACL, he was not his usual self yet in 2025. He should be fully back to form in 2026.
*Tyleik Williams (23, 2028, 0/10) - His rookie season was reliable and healthy, but not overly productive.
Levi Onwuzurike (28, 2026, 10/10) - A semi-mysterious ACL surgery last offseason wiped out his 2025 season. He also has a significant back surgery (L5-S1 fusion) which is a chronic concern.
Mekhi Wingo (23, 2027, 5/10) - A knee meniscus surgery in 2024 had a prolonged recovery and may have limited him much of the 2025 season. His long-term health is uncertain.
Myles Adams (28, 2026, 1/10) - Lightly used and medically clean.
Tyler Lacy (26, 2026, 0/10) - Young and healthy.

Positional need 2/5

The Lions have a high-level starter in McNeill and a 1st-round pick in Williams - both of whom are signed for multiple seasons. Williams hopes for a 2nd-year bump in production. The backups don’t have much proven production though.

Medical concern 2/5

The starters have minimal health concerns, but a couple backups have significant concerns.

TOTAL 4/10

Linebacker

*Jack Campbell (26, 2026, 1/10) - Delivered an All-Pro season after an offseason hip surgery. Expect his 5th-year option to get picked and/or a contract extension soon.
*Derrick Barnes (26, 2027, 0/10) - Recovered from a surgical MCL/PCL in 2024 to have a reliable, albeit unspectacular, 2025.
Malcolm Rodriguez (27, 2026, 4/10) - There is some concern about his ACL recovery which was delayed due to a follow-up surgery. He didn’t play much on defense until the final two games.
Trevor Nowaske (27, 2026, 1/10) - A minor elbow issue cost him two games last season.
Damone Clark (26, 2026, 4/10) - A cervical spinal fusion in 2022 carries some durability concerns.

Positional need 1/5

The two starters are solid and are under team control beyond 2026. Rodriguez is a good 3rd LB, so the need here is mostly for long-term backups.

Medical concern 1/5

The starters are young and healthy. The backups are young but have some concerns.

TOTAL 2/10

For the review of the Lions’ offensive needs…

Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds

Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: DEFENSE…