I wanted to dig deep into the roster of what seems to be LA (Detroit's arch nemesis). LA is getting accolades for its recent trade to obtain Miles Garrett, so much so, as to send the team's ranking into the conversation as top NFC squad. Man for man, is there a clear advantage, and if so where?
Injuries definitely factor immediately into the conversation. I am hoping that on this front Detroit will have good news to open the season. Otherwise, there will definitely be some deficits if LA is fully healthy, and Detroit is not.
So, let's go what are assumed to be first teamers vs first teamers for each squad. There is one definite or obvious difference as I go about doing this. The defensive alignments are different. LA uses a 3-man front, Detroit typically employs a 4-man front. Consequently, roster construction has some differences, and perhaps might account for some ranking disparities.
Immediately I'm drawn to see there is a linebacking corp disparity, if not in talent, definitely in terms of numbers. LA has 12 listed on their pre-season roster. Detroit has 9, although Wonnum is listed as a LB, I would be inclined to consider him a DE, and thereby count the Lions as having just 8. 50% more personnel at this position seems significant, and given that this position often also serves key roles on special teams, I'm a bit concerned with this disparity.
Moving on to the man to man starter comparisons, I'd like to make brief comments relative to the individuals, but also make a few remarks as to depth:
QB Stafford v Goff - the argument could be made either way as to who is the better option. Obviously Stafford's great season last year should probably tip the scales, however analysis of the pass protection Goff didn't have while still producing good results should give Lions' fans some solace. It does deserve mention that LA took the opportunity to draft their future starters as last year's first-round pick. That's daring, and deserves special mention in my opinion. Goff hopefully has a longer playing career ahead of him, and it's arguable as to which team has the most capable immediate back-up to step in, if their starter went down.
RB Williams v Gibbs - I have to believe that Gibbs merits greater recognition. The question however again might come down to depth. LA seems to have a few options to step in while Detroit is hoping that they have a second option fully healthy and capable.
TE Parkinson v La Porta - I hope I'm not biassed, but I'd again believe Detroit has the better player, if he's fully healthy. Depth again though is a concern. LA has more than one option worthy of serving as the back-up starter.
WR Nacua v St Brown - Nacua established himself as the better receiver last season, but the difference is very, very narrow in my opinion.
WR Adams v Williams - There are narrow difference in production despite a wider difference in style.
WR Whittington v TeSlaa - I'm a homer on this one. I believe TeSlaa will have a break-out season and prove to be a unique talent in 2026.
LT Jackson v Sewell - I believe Sewell will deliver a great season and deserve special accolades over any other LT in the NFL in 2026.
LG Avila v Mahogany - Avila deserves clear recognition over Mahogany, but I'm hopeful that 2026 shows growth and improvement from the young Lion.
C Shelton v Mays - Frankly I don't know either player that well. I'm going to call this a tie, but hope that Mays earns a nod at season's end.
RG Dotson v Rutledge - I will call this one a tie again. Perhaps I'm giving Rutledge too much credit, but I think he could show a big improvement over last year given the experience offering him a greater understanding of what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
RT McClendon v Borom or Miller - Sadly, I'll give the nod to McClendon since Detroit's decision is yet to be fully finalized and if it's Miller a rookie likely has some learning curve ahead.
DE Turner v Hutchinson - Hutch has the edge in my book.
DT Ford v Onwuzurike - One's a NT while the other is returning from injury. Furthermore, Ford is a very solid player. Onwuzurike has to prove he's fully back. Nod goes to Ford here in my opinion.
DT -- v McNeill - LA uses a 3-man front, so McNeill is matched at this position. I suppose the style and the quality of the players at LB have to be weighed against McNeill's talents. I'm waiting to call this one since McNeill has to prove he's fully back from injury.
DE Fiske v Wonnum or Moore - Let's wait and see on this too.
WLB Young v Rodriguez - Suppose I have to give the advantage to Young, if based on nothing but the fact Rodriguez hasn't been our starter here and he was injured a good part of last season.
LILB Landman v MLB Campbell - Campbell! Did I make myself clear?
RILB Speights v -- perhaps I should compare McNeill opposite Speights but I'm not prepared to make that assessment. Does LA win this position face off by default?
SLB - Garrett v Barnes - I shudder to think how good Garrett will be for LA. Barnes has been underwhelming for at least the past two seasons. I suppose I worry that this is a big, big difference.
LCB - Watson v Reed - Dare I hope that this is relatively even match?
SS - Kichens v Branch - If healthy, Branch is my pick over nearly any other SS.
FS - Curl v Joseph - Can I hope Joseph is fully recovered? If not, this is likely a big difference in position talent, as much so as at SLB.
RCB - McDuffie v Arnold - I hope that this is an even match, but Arnold hasn't proven to be nearly as good as McDuffie. So, does history tell us the answer?
NB - Lake v McCreary - I don't really know who is who here. I suppose I'm hopeful that McCreary can be as good or better than Lake, but I don't believe I have clear evidence to support that yet.
K - Mevis v Bates - Even?
P - Evans v Fox - Fox probably is the better of the two.
LS - Cardona v Hatten - Does it make that much difference?
My worry is **health in the secondary,** and whether the **front seven** for Detroit plays to its top capability to match how good LA's front seven can or could be. **The offenses seem evenly matched**. The real difference is likely to be **just how good the defenses are,** and whether one is clearly better than the other, or not.