The Detroit Lions have a real chance to make noise in the second half of the 2026 season, but that window only stays open if they sharpen up a few weak spots on the roster.
With an easier schedule ahead and wins already banked, Detroit is positioned to push for more than just the NFC North. The Lions could also climb into the conversation for the league’s top playoff seed. But even with that kind of upside, the roster issues on defense are hard to ignore.
That problem starts with depth, especially in the secondary. Detroit’s defensive backfield has already been exposed in wins, and a rough injury situation unfolding in Week 8 could make the picture even murkier.
ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell recently revisited the biggest needs for the league’s top contenders, and he listed defensive line, linebacker, and cornerback as Detroit’s three biggest holes. One name he floated at corner was Mike Hughes.
"Veteran cornerback Mike Hughes was with a very different version of this Lions team in 2022 before leaving for the Falcons in free agency. He has started most of his time there, but after A.J.
Terrell Jr. returned from injured reserve, Hughes has been in a reserve role, including a season-low eight defensive snaps during last week's loss to the Buccaneers. He wouldn't be an obvious upgrade on any of the options in Detroit, but the 29-year-old has been a reliable low-end starter at corner for most of his time in Atlanta."
Hughes would bring familiarity and could help plug a hole for the moment, but that’s about the extent of it. He doesn’t look like the kind of addition that would clearly raise the ceiling of the defense, and there’s no guarantee he would even be an upgrade over what Detroit already has at corner.
Barnwell has already pointed toward a more aggressive route, and that’s the one that makes more sense if the Lions are serious about a run. In an earlier piece, he suggested Detroit go after Khalil Mack and Donte Jackson from the Chargers, and he returned to that idea here as a "luxury target."
"In my column suggesting trades a few weeks ago, I argued for the Lions to swoop for Khalil Mack and Donte Jackson in a deal with the Chargers to address both edge and cornerback. That would cost Detroit nearly $8 million over the remainder of the season, a not insignificant amount for any team to take on in the middle of the season. The Lions could trade more draft capital to get the Chargers to pay that total down, but the picks should be more important to Holmes than the cash at the moment."
That’s the kind of swing Detroit should be weighing. A small move might tidy up the edges, but it doesn’t really match the opportunity in front of them. If the Lions want to make the kind of postseason push their record and schedule now allow, they need something bigger.
For general manager Brad Holmes, the ideal deadline move would be one that costs plenty, as long as it stops short of a first-round pick. Detroit should be aiming for its biggest splash under Holmes, not a bargain-bin fix. A two-player deal like the one Barnwell outlined would fit the moment far better than a modest patch job.
In Other News...
Lions Defense Is Already Feeling Jack Campbells Absence
Jack Campbells neck injury has left the Lions dealing with more than just a lineup hole. The linebacker remains hospitalized, but there has been encouraging progress in his movement, and the team has had to start adjusting to the reality of moving forward without one of its most important defensive pieces. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard addressed that challenge directly, telling the group to honor Campbell through the way they prepare and play.
The emotional reach of the injury has stretched beyond Detroit, too, with Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley offering support for Campbell and the Lions. For a defense that leans on Campbells presence and steadiness, the immediate task is as much about keeping the unit grounded as it is about filling snaps. The Lions now have to manage the football side of the absence while carrying the human side of it, which is never easy in a week like this. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Could Get A Needed Linebacker Boost Sooner Than Expected
The Lions have spent the past few weeks piecing together their linebacker group after a run of injuries forced them to shuffle the lineup and lean on the practice squad. Devin White, who has been out since breaking his right forearm, has been one of the names circled as a possible boost, and his return would give Detroit another experienced body at a position that has needed constant adjustment.
White has said he feels good about where his recovery stands, and the next checkpoint should provide a clearer picture of how close he is to getting back on the field. For a defense that has had to keep patching holes, even the possibility of adding him back into the mix this month is a welcome development. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Tough Reality In Miami Despite Their Winning Streak
The Lions head into Week 9 with momentum from a three-game winning streak, but the trip to Miami comes with a clear dose of caution. Detroit has been dealing with multiple injuries on defense, and that reality is shaping how this matchup is being viewed as the team tries to keep its run going against a Dolphins offense that can stress a defense in a hurry.
The betting market has already reflected some of that concern, with the total climbing even as the spread has stayed put. It points to a game that could stay tight and carry more scoring than usual, but for Detroit the bigger question is whether a battered defense can hold up long enough to let the winning streak survive another week. [Read more 🡒]