The Lions got the kind of Week 5 result that can change how a front office thinks, but it didn’t erase the biggest question facing Brad Holmes before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.
Detroit is sitting above .500 at 3-2 during its bye, yet the roster still has clear holes. The list isn’t short, either. A backup running back and a No. 3 receiver are part of the conversation, but the defense remains the real pressure point - especially the secondary.
That’s where the Lions still look stretched thin at both cornerback and safety. Brian Branch’s return will give the defensive backs a needed lift, but it doesn’t solve everything. Detroit still needs a No. 1-level corner and, arguably, another safety to line up alongside the Pro Bowler.
D.J. Reed has given Detroit flashes of top-end play, but the issue is consistency.
He hasn’t been dependable enough on a week-to-week basis to fully lock down that No. 1 corner role. Even after missing out on Joey Porter Jr., the Lions still need to stay active in the market for a high-end cover man.
If they don’t land one before the deadline, that would be a serious miss.
Safety is just as unsettled. The Lions can’t afford to bank on Kerby Joseph returning to the form that made him an All-Pro.
He reportedly may be dealing with a degenerative knee issue that could affect his production for the rest of his career, and there’s no clear timetable for his return. That makes the need for another safety even more urgent, especially with Branch already in the fold.
Detroit’s defense did show improvement against the Cardinals, but the bigger picture hasn’t changed. The secondary still needs help, and the front office has work to do if it wants to avoid leaving this season vulnerable. If Holmes and company don’t add meaningful pieces in the coming weeks, the Lions could find themselves in trouble when the playoff race tightens.
In Other News...
Brian Branch Could Decide If The Lions Defense Can Be Saved
The Lions have spent much of the season searching for answers on defense, and the recent win over the Arizona Cardinals offered at least a small sign that the group can tighten up. Even so, the unit remains buried near the bottom of the league in several key areas, which is why Brian Branchs return has taken on so much importance around the building.
Branch is expected back after missing time since December with a torn Achilles, and the Lions know there will be some rust to work through once hes on the field again. But his versatility is exactly the kind of piece Detroit has been missing, the sort of player who can change the look and feel of a defense that badly needs help in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Bye Week Puts Fresh Focus On Roster Needs Ahead
The early bye week has given Detroit a rare chance to reset its roster as much as its game plan, with Brian Branch expected back in the mix and the front office also looking to patch holes created by three players landing on injured reserve. For a Lions team trying to stay ahead of the curve, the pause in the schedule is arriving at a useful time, offering a window to think beyond the immediate week-to-week grind and toward the bigger picture of where depth still needs help.
That is where the college scouting lens comes in, with a fresh look at several prospects who could fit the kinds of needs Detroit may be preparing to address. Smith, Jackson Jr., Tengesdal, Satuala and Borjon each bring a different profile, and the evaluations attached to them range from strengths that pop on recent film to concerns that keep their draft ranges from getting too cozy. With upcoming college games still ahead, the Lions have time to keep gathering information, but the list is already a reminder that the bye week is about more than rest. [Read more 🡒]
Aidan Hutchinson May Finally Have What Lions Fans Have Wanted
Aidan Hutchinsons start to the 2026 season has been solid, if not yet the sort of dominant run Lions fans have been waiting for. He has four sacks and a pass rush win rate that ranks in the 66th percentile, and while Detroits defense has had its share of issues, ESPN analyst Seth Walder still sees a path to Defensive Player of the Year if Hutchinson can take another step and the unit around him gives him more support.
DJ Wonnums emergence may be part of the reason that path suddenly looks more realistic. Hutchinson has praised the way the two edge rushers complement each other and has talked about wanting both players, and the Lions, to keep building on that chemistry. For a pass rush that has often leaned too heavily on Hutchinson alone, the next stretch could determine whether he keeps drawing the kind of attention that turns a good season into a special one. [Read more 🡒]