dan campbell – Lions Lowdown

Detroit Lions 2026 schedule released; includes 4 prime-time games

Showcase games are for the NFL contenders so count the Detroit Lions in once again. In the 2026 schedule, which was released Thursday night, the Lions will play in at least four prime-time games — one at home and three on the road. That number could climb to five, but the day and time for the Week 18 game at Green Bay has not been set.

The Lions open at home against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13. Connections can be found on both sides. Lions coach Dan Campbell spent five seasons as assistant head coach/tight ends coach with the Saints. New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore was with the Lions as Mathew Stafford’s backup from 2012 to 2014.

Detroit won’t have much time to prepare for Week 2 which is a Thursday night game at the Buffalo Bills. The other prime-time games are: Oct. 4 at the Arizona Cardinals, Dec. 20 at the Minnesota Vikings and Monday, Dec. 28 hosting the N.Y. Giants.

As previously announced, the Lions will play the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany, on Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m.

The bye week in Week 6 isn’t ideal coming in the first third of an 18-game season. Neither is scheduling Week 2 on a Thursday night. Also, teams that play in Europe often get the next week as a bye but that won’t happen for the Lions. They’ll be home to the Tampa Bay Bucs on Nov. 22.

Here is the complete schedule:

WEEK	DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	TV
1	Sunday, September 13	vs. New Orleans Saints	1:00 p.m.	FOX
2	Thursday, September 17	at Buffalo Bills	8:15 p.m.	PRIME
3	Sunday, September 27	vs. New York Jets	1:00 p.m.	FOX
4	Sunday, October 4	at Carolina Panthers	8:20 p.m.	NBC
5	Sunday, October 11	at Arizona Cardinals	4:25 p.m.	FOX
6		BYE WEEK
7	Sunday, October 25	vs. Green Bay Packers	4:25 p.m.	FOX
8	Sunday, November 1	vs. Minnesota Vikings	1:00 p.m.	FOX
9	Sunday, November 8	at Miami Dolphins	1:00 p.m.	FOX
10	Sunday, November 15	vs. New England Patriots (Munich)	9:30 a.m.	FOX
11	Sunday, November 22	vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1:00 p.m.	CBS
12	Thursday, November 26	vs. Chicago Bears	1:00 p.m.	CBS
13	Sunday, December 6	at Atlanta Falcons	1:00 p.m.	CBS
14	Sunday, December 13	vs. Tennessee Titans	1:00 p.m.	FOX
15	Sunday, December 20	at Minnesota Vikings	8:20 p.m.	NBC
16	Monday, December 28	vs. New York Giants	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
17	Sunday, January 3	at Chicago Bears	4:25 p.m.	FOX
18	TBD	at Green Bay Packers	TBD	TBD

Fifth round: Lions draft CB Keith Abney II and WR Kendrick Law

ALLEN PARK — The Lions added depth at wide receiver and defensive back with a pair of fifth-round picks on Sautrday.

The Lions made their third straight defensive draft pick, selecting CB Keith Abney II in the fifth round (157th overall) on Saturday.

In 2025, Abney started 12 games at Arizona State and led the Sun Devils with 12 PBUs. He also notched 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 44 tackles and a sack. In 2024 He started all 14 games and led the teams with 9 PBUs and 3 interceptions.

He was projected by some to be a third-round pick but slid to fifth.

“The wait doesn’t even matter. I’m just glad to be a Lion. It means everything — a great program, great culture, cheat coaches, great people around. I’m blessed to be here,’’ Abney said on a Zoom call. “Feeling all the emotions, dropped a couple tears. It’s a dream come true and the Lions happen to be one of my favorite teams.’’

He said the Lions have been one of his favorites since 2021 or so mentioning Megatron, Calvin Johnson.

Abney lists his football IQ as one of his strengths. “I pride myself on being a smart player, watch a lot of film and understand concepts and understand formations, pick up on tendencies. My feet and my toughness. That’s why I love this team – it’s a tough team I’m joining and I’ll fit right in,’’ Abney said.

Abney, 21, was a four-time national champion speed skater growing up. He gave it up in ninth grade but credits the roller sport for his endurance.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein’s wrote about Abney: “Feisty boundary corner with the makeup to slide inside and become a problem for offenses as a pro nickelback.”

Then the Lions sent fifth-and sixth-round picks to the Buffalo Bills to trade up 13 spots to 168 in the fifth round to draft to select WR Kendrick Law.

The 5-11 wide receiver played his first three seasons at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky for the 2025 season. He led the Wildcats with 53 receptions, 540 receiving yards (10.2 per), 3 receiving TDs. He played in 12 games with 8 starts (8-53-6.6 rushing; 9-174-19.3 KR; 3-8-2.7 PR).

Zierlein’s report: “Alabama transfer with a compact build whose primary function at Kentucky was to add yards after the catch on quick throws near the line of scrimmage. Law ran a limited route tree, with most of his 2025 targets thrown behind the line. Tight hips dull downfield route breaks and he rarely runs routes at his true speed. He has strong hands to make contested grabs and breaks tackles on a regular basis with the ball in his hands. Law’s special-teams background at Alabama helps but might not be enough for him to stick on a roster.”

In the first four rounds the Lions drafted OT Blake Miller (17th overall), EDGE Derrick Moore (44th) and LB Jimmy Rolder (118th).

Lions draft Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore in second round

ALLEN PARK — Another team captain drafted, another need filled

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes traded to move up six spots in the second round of the NFL draft, to draft EDGE Derrick Moore on Friday night.

Detroit swapped its 50th and 128th picks to the N.Y. Jets to select Moore, a team captain at Michigan, at 44.

In Thursday’s first round the Lions drafted offensive tackle Blake Miller who was a team captain at Clemson.

“We’re really, really excited. It’s hard to find guys – I’m not going to say we’re picky – but we just have a certain type that we like,’’ Holmes said.

So far in this draft the needs lined up with the best players which does not always happen.

“We’ve always said we’re going to take the best player. Look if there was – I’m sure there were other tackles available, and other edge rushers available – but these were the guys we liked,’’ Holmes said.

The Lions finished last season at 9-8 and out of the playoffs. Bolstering the offensive and defensive lines was a priority in the offseason.

Moore stood apart from the other EDGE rushers available for several reasons.

“We’ve been pretty clear about what the requirements are at that position for us and he fits that,’’ Holmes said. “He’s a physical player, he can set hard edges, his pass rush greatly improved. When I look at Derrick — much similar to Blake Miller who we took yesterday — in terms of watching him for a long time. I’ve always felt the length, and physicality and power and pads (were there), but I didn’t really feel like his rush was quite there yet but this year he really got better.’’

He noted that Moore’s improved pass rush stood out during Senior Bowl week.

Moore said he considers Detroit a second home and looks forward to playing with Aidan Hutchinson, another Michigan product.

“I’m definitely excited to play with Hutch,’’ Moore said. “Hopefully I can learn a lot from him and we can go and cause a lot of havoc.’’

Moore, who is 6-4 and 255 pounds, was first-team All-Big Ten in 2025 with a dozen starts, leading the team with 10.5 TFLs and 10 sacks. In 2024 he was honorable mention All-Big Ten starting 12 games with 23 tackles, 6 TFLs with 4 sacks and two PBUs).

One draft analyst on Moore: “Swallows quarterbacks and runners like a crashing wave once he’s close.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein scouting report reads: “Edge prospect with good size and length. Moore is far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles. When it’s time to finish, he tackles with reliable technique and timing. If Moore cranks up the fire on all three downs, he can become a good full-time player. Either way, he projects as a starter capable of racking up pressures.”

Moore was the first Michigan player selected in the 2026 draft.

The Lions have six picks remaining: a fourth (118th overall), two fifths (157 and 181), two sixths (205 and 213) and a seventh (222). Saturday’s draft begins at noon.