2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Shinzaki]

Sign AJ Epenesa...perfect compliment to Hutch.

[Jason_R]

Yes, as awful as they were last year offensively, they were fifth in both YPG and PPG. With a new OC and a plug-and-play OT from the draft, it is not unreasonable to expect they will be a top five offense next year. 

Also, Brad has ten draft picks. One will be used for an OT, and he will probably package some to move up, but it is likely that he can pick up two or three players who can make immediate contributions to the defense as well as a few depth players.  

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Dan Gilmore, I'm not sure what you are confused about with my post. I am assuming it is the DT/DJ Reader/snap count and the need for another starting DT take. If it is not, I apologize.

I looked at snap counts for some of the top defensive tackles in the league in 2026. For example Dexter Lawrence had 754 snaps, Jalen Carter had 639 snaps, Jeffery Simmons had 764 snaps, Quinnen Williams had 640 snaps, Leonard Williams had 812 snaps, Vitea Vea had 763 snaps. DJ Reader had 583 snaps last year in 17 games started. So Reader started games even when both McNeill and Williams were healthy at the same time. Alim McNeill had 524 snaps in 10 games started last year and 782 snaps the last time he played a full season. Tyleik Williams had 446 snaps in 10 games started last year. With Reader out of the lineup, and no other starting DT on the roster, someone has to cover those snaps.

Since it was told to me that Reader isn't a starter and McNeill and Williams are the starters, are we to infer that each of those guys will be getting an additional 583 snaps give or take, bringing their totals to near a 1,000 snaps? Not even the top DT's in the league approach a 1,000 snaps in a season. Are those snaps going to be split up among an additional 2-3 players? If so, who?

It was inferred that we don't need another starting DT to replace Reader. Judging by his snap counts and time spent on the field, I'd say we do need another starting DT. Do we bring Reader back? Do we elevate his replacement in one of Mekhi Wingo (whose played 13 games in 2 seasons with 235 total snaps and can't stay healthy) or starting Levi (who can't stay healthy either)? Do we sign a free agent or draft someone? So who is replacing Reader's time on the field and starting in his place? I would argue we need to either sign a free agent or draft someone in the first 3 rounds to replace Reader. I think it is not earth shattering, but still significant that Reader is gone and someone has to carry that load.

Edited 2 hours ago by Mr.TaterSalad

[Longgone]

1 hour ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Dan Gilmore, I'm not sure what you are confused about with my post. I am assuming it is the DT/DJ Reader/snap count and the need for another starting DT take. If it is not, I apologize.

I looked at snap counts for some of the top defensive tackles in the league in 2026. For example Dexter Lawrence had 754 snaps, Jalen Carter had 639 snaps, Jeffery Simmons had 764 snaps, Quinnen Williams had 640 snaps, Leonard Williams had 812 snaps, Vitea Vea had 763 snaps. DJ Reader had 583 snaps last year in 17 games started. So Reader started games even when both McNeill and Williams were healthy at the same time. Alim McNeill had 524 snaps in 10 games started last year and 782 snaps the last time he played a full season. Tyleik Williams had 446 snaps in 10 games started last year. With Reader out of the lineup, and no other starting DT on the roster, someone has to cover those snaps.

Since it was told to me that Reader isn't a starter and McNeill and Williams are the starters, are we to infer that each of those guys will be getting an additional 583 snaps give or take, bringing their totals to near a 1,000 snaps? Not even the top DT's in the league approach a 1,000 snaps in a season. Are those snaps going to be split up among an additional 2-3 players? If so, who?

It was inferred that we don't need another starting DT to replace Reader. Judging by his snap counts and time spent on the field, I'd say we do need another starting DT. Do we bring Reader back? Do we elevate his replacement in one of Mekhi Wingo (whose played 13 games in 2 seasons with 235 total snaps and can't stay healthy) or starting Levi (who can't stay healthy either)? Do we sign a free agent or draft someone? So who is replacing Reader's time on the field and starting in his place? I would argue we need to either sign a free agent or draft someone in the first 3 rounds to replace Reader. I think it is not earth shattering, but still significant that Reader is gone and someone has to carry that load.

We do need another dt, and he needs to be a brutish block eater like Reader.

[lordstanley]

One way to avoid having an abundance of injuries to key players on defense is to not sign many key players on defense. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

47 minutes ago, Longgone said:

We do need another dt, and he needs to be a brutish block eater like Reader.

Agreed. We need multiple starters across this defense. I'm all for letting Brad Cook, but the cooking hasn't been that good the last few offseasons.