​Earlier in the week, we continued our rankings of the 2026 Detroit Lions roster and reached what I believe is the first portion of the roster bubble. The Lions boast a deeper roster than most teams, so even players we ranked between 61 and 70 could still crack the 53-man roster. If they don’t, many are prime candidates for the practice squad, and we’ve seen countless practice-squad players receive midseason calls that lead to real impact. In our next installment—covering players ranked 60 through 51—we examine individuals who will almost certainly make the 53-man roster or, at the very least, be strong contenders for the practice squad.
Previously: Players ranked 90-81; Players ranked 80-71; Players ranked 70-61. Last year’s ranking: 70. Smith has quietly lingered within the Lions organization since 2023, a testament to the franchise’s commitment to the 26-year-old defender. In fact, he earned a spot on Detroit’s initial 53-man roster last year. Yet, he’s appeared in only five games and logged a total of 47 snaps across those appearances (all in 2024). It wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith again secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster, given the Lions’ relatively thin interior defensive-line depth.
Last year’s ranking: 47. Manu’s spot on the list is the lowest it has ever been, and there’s a clear reason for that. With the Lions adding a new starting tackle (first-round pick Blake Miller) and upgrading the OT3 position (via the Larry Borom signing), Manu’s future with the team appears increasingly precarious. To remain on the 53-man roster, he’ll need to convince the coaching staff he’s worth keeping as an OT4 or broaden his value to other positions. He has begun taking a small number of reps at guard during the spring.
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Last year’s ranking: N/A. Lions fans were surprised when Detroit kept Jacob Saylors over Craig Reynolds in the middle of the 2025 season, yet the former UFL running back proved his value on special teams. He logged 281 special-teams snaps—third-most on the team—and finished the year with eight tackles. He’s still relatively unseasoned as a running back, and the health of Sione Vaki could limit his opportunities as a reserve offensive weapon, but Detroit clearly appreciated what he contributed on teams.
Last year’s ranking: 73. Despite Kennedy being with the organization since 2019, this is his highest ranking ever. He appeared in only six games last year, but he finally demonstrated that he can be a reliable asset on special teams. He finished second on the team in kick-return yardage (447, behind Saylors) and led in kick-return average (27.9) on 16 attempts. His chances of earning a spot on the 53-man roster remain very real, particularly after the Lions lost rookie Kendrick Law to a torn ACL this summer, which leaves a sizable receiver and special-teams role open.
Last year’s ranking: N/A. Whiteside is a player worth watching closely. He joined late in training camp amid a stretch of cornerback injuries and immediately drew attention for his potential. As the roster takes shape, Whiteside’s versatility and familiarity with the system could position him as a crafty option for either the depth chart or the practice squad, depending on how the rest of the defensive backfield settles.
End of excerpt.