Jared Goff's Detroit Lions earn No. 6 spot in ESPN's 2026 NFL roster rankings

Detroit's place among the NFL's top teams did not come from a single standout player. ESPN says the Lions still have one of the hardest offenses to defend in football.

Why ESPN ranked the Detroit Lions No. 6 entering the 2026 NFL season

Some teams win with defense. Others depend on a star quarterback. Detroit's case is different. ESPN ranked the Lions sixth because few teams can match the number of proven playmakers spread across their offense.

Jahmyr Gibbs headlines that group after another record-setting season. He became the first running back in NFL history to reach at least 1,200 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 50 catches in each of his first three seasons. Around him, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta give quarterback Jared Goff reliable targets at every level of the field.

The production backs up the talent. Detroit has finished inside the NFL's top five in both total offense and touchdowns during each of the past four seasons. St. Brown has caught at least 90 passes in all five of his NFL seasons, while Williams has topped 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back years. LaPorta also ranks near the top among tight ends in touchdowns since entering the league in 2023 despite missing much of last season.

The biggest question comes on the other side of the ball. ESPN says the secondary has enough talent, but too many health concerns. D.J. Reed missed about half of last season with injuries, while safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are both working back from serious injuries. The release of former first-round pick Terrion Arnold also leaves another opening at cornerback.

Detroit will also rely on rookie right tackle Blake Miller sooner than expected. After Taylor Decker's departure and Penei Sewell's move to left tackle, Miller is expected to protect the opposite edge. ESPN believes his development could play a major role in keeping one of the league's best offenses at its usual level.

Another name worth watching is safety Christian Izien. If Brian Branch returns to his usual slot role, Detroit will need another safety to handle regular snaps. Izien started 10 games for Tampa Bay in 2024 before losing his starting spot last season, and the Lions believe he can provide valuable depth in a secondary that enters the year with several unanswered questions.

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