5 Detroit Lions Players Who Have Outgrown Their Expected Roles

The Unsung Lions: 5 Players Who’ve Outgrown Their 2026 Roles

Injuries and unexpected opportunities have reshaped the Detroit Lions roster seven games into the 2026 season, creating roles for five players who are far more important to the team than anyone anticipated in August, according to analysis from sports.yahoo.com.

The Lions don’t look quite like the team we saw in training camp. Some of the players expected to lead the way have been sidelined or shuffled to new positions. Others have stepped into those gaps and become integral to Detroit’s success, proving the NFL is a league of next-man-up and unscripted opportunity. The depth chart has been rewritten by circumstance and performance.

S Keith Abney II: The Defensive Turnaround

When the Lions drafted Keith Abney II in the fifth round, many analysts felt he was a steal. He was projected as a second-round pick whose slide was unexplainable—perhaps due to his size. What we do know is that over the last few weeks, Abney has become a cornerstone of this defense. He’s playing safety, a position he had never played until about three weeks ago, and it’s making a significant difference.

5 Detroit Lions Players Who Have Outgrown Their Expected Roles — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Do you want to know why the Lions are suddenly stifling tight ends? It’s Abney. He’s bracketing them effectively, which is why players like Tucker Kraft and T.J. Hockenson haven’t had huge games against Detroit recently. In a world nobody wants to live in, where the loss of Kerby Joseph has created a void, Abney is stepping up as his potential replacement. He’s balling.

C Juice Scruggs: The Highest-Graded Lineman

Who saw this coming? When Juice Scruggs came over in the trade for David Montgomery, he was seen as a fun little throw-in who’d come off the bench. Nobody thought he’d be the highest-graded center in the league by Week 5. Scruggs will likely return to the bench when Cade Mays returns, but his performance has been unreal, and somebody is going to pay him this offseason.

5 Lions Players Who Became WAY More Important Than Expected…

“I do think Scruggs will be a starting center in this league in 2027. I just don’t know for who.”

Scruggs has forced the Lions’ hand and proven he can play at an elite level.

LB Trevor Nowaske: Finding His Fit

Detroit has cycled through Devin White, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Nowaske at Will linebacker, searching for the right fit. Now, with Jack Campbell not practicing and potentially sidelined, the Lions are expected to move Derrick Barnes from SAM linebacker into the middle. That would slide Rodriguez to the weak side, opening up the SAM spot for Nowaske.

Detroit Lions players meet with the media | November 5, 2026

He keeps starting, but at the position he’s played for most of his career.

Edge Eric O’Neill: The Special Teams Star

I figured he’d be a practice squad guy at most. Some of you are probably wondering how he’s important when we barely see him on defense. It’s all about special teams. Watch the coverage units, and you’ll see an O’Neill tackle or two every single week.

RB Sione Vaki: The Breakout Back

Back in August, we thought Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco would be the new one-two punch in the backfield. Then Pacheco suffered a back injury and has been out all season. By then, Sione Vaki will have already staked his claim.

He’s the RB2 for Detroit, and he had a breakout performance against the Minnesota Vikings. He’s also a great special teamer. I don’t think Minnesota was a one-time thing. I think the Lions will still favor Vaki even when Pacheco comes back. To be honest, I don’t know if we’ll ever see Pacheco play for the Lions.

This is just how the Lions handle rookies. Maybe Isaac TeSlaa starts to come on. Maybe Jackson Meeks or Tyler Conklin get more chances. Personally, I’d like to see more of Tay Martin on offense.