The Detroit Lions, like many teams, are preparing to undergo organizational shifts at the 2026 NFL draft. Detroit, like many teams at the bottom of their respective division the season prior, will be dedicating plenty of focus to the trenches on both sides of the ball.
As the Lions look to return to the playoffs after a step back during the 2025 campaign, these three players could be on the way out of the Motor City or, at minimum, are likely on their way down the depth chart as the Lions look to add players for depth and competition at this weekend's draft.
1. DT Alim McNeill
After tearing his ACL in December 2024, Alim McNeill played 10 games last season, amassing nine solo tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. Additionally, McNeill ranked in the bottom half at defensive tackle with a 52.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
McNeill is under contract for three more years that guarantees him $55 million. That was signed following a five-sack 2023 season in which he ranked No. 6 overall for PFF's rankings, however, adn McNeill's deal is starting to age poorly after an underwhelming 2025 campaign.
Dan Campbell recently gave McNeill a vote of confidence to continue returning to that previous form. Per Campbell at the beginning of April, "Alim is only gonna be so much better from that. Alim would never say anything about that, but any player that comes off of that injury, it’s hard ... It’s hard to be back to what you were immediately after it once you’ve rehabbed. I’m not worried about Mac, Mac’s gonna come in and do well."
The Cincinnati Bearcats' Dontay Corleone and Clemson Tigers' Peter Woods could both be on the team's radar, with the latter potentially needing to be taken with the No. 17 selection. McNeill isn't going anywhere just yet, and will still be featured in Kelvin Sheppard's schemes. But Detroit may just be adding a player that will set the stage for the Lions to trade McNeill if/when his value rises again this coming fall.
2. OT Giovanni Manu
Detroit signed Larry Borom to compete with Giovanni Manu. Or, the Lions brought Borom aboard to compete with their incoming draft pick and swing tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle. Either way, Manu is on shaky ground heading into the draft.
Struggling against most athletic edge rushers, Manu looked overwhelmed and far from ready. That's not going to cut it at a position that grows increasingly in importance as Jared Goff enters the latter stages of his career.
Even before injuries ultimately derailed his 2025 season, Manu was grading out poorly in pass protection. There was minimal opportunity for growth last year, and there may not be an abundance of snaps moving forward, depending on what Brad Holmes does with his nine picks this weekend.
While Manu survived the free agency blitz in Detroit during March, he may have to have a strong performance during training camp to justify his spot on the team if another tackle makes his way to the Lions.
3. DT Levi Onwuzurike
Levi Onwuzurike spent the entire 2025 season on the PUP list, which froze his deal and now makes the 2026 campaign a contract year. His contract is worth a base salary of
$1.5 million and up to $500,000 in bonuses.
That likely keeps him on the team as depth. The question will then become whether or not Detroit can find him a legitimate role when he's back. While the Lions know they have a defensive tackle problem, Holmes understands the risk of bringing back a player who missed the entirety of the previous season and present him as the solution to the team's fanbase. Detroit's current brain trust is running low on confidence from this fanbase after the way 2025 unfolded as is.
Onwuzurike faces the same issues McNeill does coming back to this room, which will almost certainly add a body or two in the draft and undrafted free agent market. While his 2024 stats were borderline eye-popping -- 45 quarterback pressures, 3 quarterback hits, 20 defensive stops, and a top-15 pass-rush win rate (12.5%) -- Onwuzurike returns at a time when the front office is under the gun to make significant moves. That doesn't bode well for incumbent players at underperforming position groups, no matter the circumstance.
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