Lions Offseason Positional Analysis: LB

This is the seventh in our series of roster analysis by position group for the 2026 offseason leading up to Free Agency and the NFL draft. Today’s focus will be on the LB room, which has only two players currently under contract for the 2026 season, leaving lots of questions for both the starting unit and the special teams play.

Lions LBs Jack Campbell (#46) and Derrick Barnes (#55) chasing Lamar Jackson (#8) ©Jess Rapfogel, Getty Images

LB

• Under Contract:

  • LB: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes

• Free Agents:

  • LB: Alex Anzalone (UFA), Grant Stuard (UFA), Zeke Turner (UFA), Zach Cunningham (UFA), Trevor Nowaske (RFA), Malcolm Rodriguez (UFA)

Analysis:

The Lions are in trouble at LB, and in all honesty, this has to be the No 1 priority this offseason. While OL and DL need serious upgrades and holes filled, at least there is enough players under contract to provide a semi-competent unit on the field, whereas the LB room is Campbell and Barens and that is it. The Lions traditionally keep Six or Seven backers on the roster, with seven being the number as of late due to the change in the Kickoff rules. Fortunately, the two guys that are under contract played 99% (Campbell) and 85% (Barnes) of the defensive snaps and all 17 games but replacing Anzalone (91%) and his snaps will be a massive gap to fill.

As far as depth, there isn’t any as of right now. Stuard, Cunningham, Nowaske, Turner and Rodriguez all provided high-level special teams play and starting caliber depth, at least in spots, and that entire room needs re-stocked. Seems logical that some or most of those guys will be re-signed by Holmes, but a third starter is not necessarily in that group and will have to come from FA or the draft. Unfortunately, if they let him walk, Anzalone will be difficult to replace, as he is a five tool LB. He provides speed, Instincts, Leadership Coverage ability and tackling, all coveted by teams in FA and he likely will get offered more to go elsewhere (playing for Aaron Glenn and the Jets come to mind).

Options:

When looking at LB options, Free Agency will be leaned on heavily due to the nature of how many bodies the room needs. I expect the offseason will have at least 8-10 LBs in camp with the draft and UDFAs producing 2-3 of that number, and the rest via Free Agency. I believe the Lions were extremely happy with the LB room from last year, as the signings brought incredible depth, quality special teamers and overall good players. That depth was tested, and they held up pretty well and I believe that Holmes will want to bring many of those same players back. Out of the group of FAs, only Anzalone (too expensive) and Zeke Turner (Injury risk and special teamer only) likely won’t return. I think the rest at least have a better than 50/50 short of returning and filling out that depth. That still leaves a starter needed, as none of them appear to have Anzalone’s skillset, so that will likely be one of the splash signings from Holmes at the start of Free Agency.

KC Chiefs LB Leo Chanel and Browns LB Devin Bush

• Free Agent

  • LBs: Alex Anzalone (UFA), Leo Chanel (UFA), Devin Bush (UFA), Nakobe Dean (UFA-Injury Issues), Quay Walker (UFA-Injury Issues), Grant Stuard (UFA), Zach Cunningham (UFA), Trevor Nowaske (RFA), Malcolm Rodriguez (UFA)

• Draft Pick

  • LBs: Sonny Styles (1st-Mid), CJ Allen (1st-Late), Jake Golday (2nd-Late), Deontae Lawson (2nd-Late), Taurean York (3rd), Jacob Rodriguez (3rd), Harold Perkins Jr (3rd), Jaishawn Barham (4th), Kaleb

    Elarms-Orr (5th), Raylen Wilson (6th), Jimmy Rolder (6th), Eric Gentry (UDFA), Tony Rojas (UDFA)

Bottom Line:

Holmes will be restocking this cupboard from his own pantry, likely bring back at least three of our current UFAs (Stuard, Cunningham and Nowaske are my guesses) and will get a starter-level guy and additional depth in free agency. The draft is ripe with talent in every round for what the Lions will want, a multi-tool LB that has a chance to play STs and develop into a long-term starter.

In the end, I think that Holmes lets Anzalone and Rodrigo walk, brings back Stuard, Cunningham and Nowaske and signs an up and comer that can start in Leo Chanel or Devin Bush. However, if Sonny Styles falls in the draft into the early teens, I could see Brad trade up to garb him, as he is the exact type of player that would fit the Lions system for the next 10 years.