Detroit

Lions

Reader, 31, played for the Lions last year, earning a 68.9 PFF defense grade. He totaled 18 solo tackles, one TFL and 20 quarterback pressures. The latter figure is impressive for a player listed at 6'3"/330. He should be able to meaningfully contribute again in 2026.

Bartch has started games in each of the last two seasons for the 49ers, but has spent a lot of time on injured reserve and hasn’t been able to take advantage of chances to win a full-time role. The Lions will add him as depth and hope he can stay healthy. Bartch has respectable PFF grades of 71.7 and 74.8 in his last two seasons.

It’s safe to assume Jahmyr Gibbs would be safe from any rookie running back the Lions add to their roster via the draft, but Isiah Pacheco, who was signed to a one-year, $1.8 million contract this offseason, may not be as safe. Pacheco, 27, was brought in to replace David Montgomery, who was traded to the Texans earlier this month, and the veteran running back appears to have lost a step or two after averaging over 4.5 YPC his first two years in the league. The Lions have picks in the first and second round of this year’s draft, but then won’t be on the clock again until the fourth round with the No. 118 overall pick. Any player selected on Day 3 could face an uphill battle to usurp Pacheco on the depth chart before Week 1, but any additions could make for interesting late-round flyers in fantasy drafts.

Chark, 29, last stepped foot on an NFL field as a member of the Falcons in two 2025 preseason games. He was released before the regular season began and did not sign with a new team. Chark spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jaguars after they drafted him via a second-round pick in 2018. He produced career highs across the board in 2019, catching 73-of-114 targets for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns, and earned Pro Bowl honors for his efforts. He spent 2022 with the Lions, 2023 with the Panthers and 2024 with the Chargers. Over the course of his career, Chark caught 216-of-393 targets for 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Turner entered the NFL as a first-round pick with the Saints in 2021. He totaled just 39 quarterback pressures and five sacks over his first four seasons before signing with the Cowboys via a one-year, $3 million deal last year. Unfortunately, a preseason ribs injury ended Turner’s 2025 season. He will likely operate as a rotational player in Detroit.

The former Rice Owl is back with the Lions after initially joining the team in 2024, when he last played regular season snaps. He participated in all four preseason games last year, including Detroit’s Hall of Fame game against the Chargers, bagging six solo tackles, four TFLs and four quarterback pressures. He was later waived at the end of August. Adams, 28, gets another chance to make the Lions’ final roster.

Dortch is following new Lions OC Drew Petzing from Arizona to Detroit. He turned 29 catches into 206 yards and three scores last year. Dortch is primarily a slot receiver and Amon-Ra St. Brown has the role locked down. At best, the former Cardinal will give ARSB the occasional breather. He could be an interesting PPR option if anything happens to St. Brown, but that isn’t something early fantasy drafters should plan for.

Thomas got his start in the NFL as a fifth-round pick for the Jags in 2020. He made a few starts on defense in Jacksonville but made his money as a high-volume special teams contributor. Thomas signed with the Lions last year and saw a slight uptick in defense snaps while again playing plenty on special teams. Thomas could continue to see more work on defense as an occasional third safety in Cleveland.

A former fifth-round pick in Dallas, Clark worked his way up to a full-time role in 2023, just his second season in the league. That didn’t last long and the Cowboys would go on to cut him in the middle of the 2025 season. Houston claimed him off waivers and he would go on to appear in six regular season games as a Texan, plus two postseason contests. Clark is primarily a special teamer at this point in his career, but his experience as a starting linebacker makes him a good depth option on defense as well.

Wonnum joins Detroit’s pass rush rotation after two seasons with the Panthers. He totaled seven sacks in 24 games over that span, recording three passes defended and an interception last season. Spending four seasons with the Vikings prior to his stint in Carolina, Wonnum’s best statistical season came in 2023, when he tallied eight total sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown. The 28-year-old will now reinforce the Lions’ defensive line on a contract worth up to $6 million.