The 2026 training camp is finally underway in Detroit. The Lions are preparing for their bounce-back season with a roster Dan Campbell has referred to as the deepest and most talented one during his tenure. This means that there will be intense training camp competitions across the board. There will be players who emerge out of nowhere and make things more difficult for the coaching staff.
One of those players may be cornerback Nick Whiteside. In the first training camp practice on Wednesday, Whiteside was reportedly among the best performers. Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News referred to Whiteside, along with Jameson Williams, as the two biggest winners of the day. He then added that this was the case for Whiteside in last year's camp before he "faded as it went on."
Can Nick Whiteside make the 53-man roster?
However, Whiteside was still able to contribute last season. He was one of the few defenders who stepped up for the Lions when they were dealing with a ridiculous streak of injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
Whiteside's best moments came in Week 7 against Tampa Bay, when he played 40 defensive snaps and was absolutely dominant. He finished the game with three pass breakups and allowed only one catch in five targets.
Once the secondary started to get healthy in the ensuing weeks, Whiteside went back to being seldom used. He was more utilized on special teams, but he still earned his way onto the active roster, finishing the season with nine total appearances.
This was enough to earn him a second year in Detroit. The 26-year-old defender has seemingly begun his second season on the right foot.
Fortunately for him, he has a path to a spot on the 53-man roster and consistent defensive snaps. After Terrion Arnold's departure, the Lions haven't made any additions to the cornerback room, leaving the spots in the rotation up for grabs.
Besides the obvious starter DJ Reed, there is a ton of uncertainty in the rest of the Lions' secondary. Roger McCreary and Keith Abney are close to locks to make the roster, but they will spend more of their time in the slot.
On the outside, Whiteside will compete with Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw, and Khalil Dorsey. This is not a group that Whiteside should be too intimidated by. He may not land the starting role among these more proven options, but he may have a clearer path to a roster spot than ever before. All he has to do is continue the momentum he has built on the first day of training camp.
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