I recently produced a pre-training camp mailbag for the Daily DLP, and one of the questions dealt with the undrafted free agent class. In the video answer, I cited quarterback Luke Altmyer as the rookie UDFA with the best chance of making the Lions’ 53-man roster.
A couple of sleeps later, I still believe Altmyer is the correct answer, but I felt like it was important to explore some of the other possibilities. That’s the beauty of reflection; the answer might change with a new look at the question and deeper thought into potential responses.
Here’s how I rank the chances for the Lions’ 2026 UDFA class of making the 53-man roster as we head to training camp. Spoiler alert: aside from Altmyer, whose chances are based on simple roster math more than ability, it’s difficult to envision any UDFAs attaining a higher status than a practice squad berth to start the season.
Luke Altmyer, QB
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85), left, talks to quarterback Luke Altmyer (2) after practice during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Altmyer is the third QB on the depth chart and there isn’t anyone below him. That fact automatically gives the Illinois product a huge leg up. His style of play is reasonably comparable to starter Jared Goff, and QB coach Mark Brunell was clearly an Altmyer advocate when I asked him about the rookie during June’s minicamp.
For Altmyer, it comes down to whether the Lions opt to keep three quarterbacks on the active roster instead of just two. I don’t see him threatening to dethrone veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater, though that’s not out of the question if Bridgewater’s rust shows. Altmyer has a reasonable chance to tutor behind Goff and Bridgewater for a year and then emerge as the QB2 at this time next offseason — but he’s got to prove he’s up for the challenge.
Anthony Lucas, DE
Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Lucas (61) walks off the field after practice during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Lucas expected to be drafted coming out of USC, and his expectation was widely held; several final mock drafts slotted the 21-year-old in the fourth or fifth rounds. He certainly looks the part of a “crush the can” DE that the Lions covet. The length, strength and power-to-speed repertoire at both DE and reduced inside are all over his college tape. His game resembles former Lions DE John Cominsky as a big, scheme-versatile pass rusher who wins with power and grit over either shoulder of the tackle or guard.
Lucas has to do two things that didn’t always show on his college tape to crash the Lions’ 53-man roster. First and foremost, he needs a Plan B as a pass rusher. While there are some exceptions on his film, Lucas really struggles when he doesn’t initially win on the pass-rush rep. That’s reminiscent of Cominsky, too. Secondly, production matters. Lucas bagged a grand total of three sacks in four years of college ball. Be it lack of burst to the QB, some tightness in his agility, or just not getting quick pressure–all are valid critiques–Lucas has to show the Lions he can finish in the backfield.
Aidan Keeanaina, DT
As is the case with Altmyer at quarterback, Keeanaina sees his chances for making the roster augmented by a scarcity of combatants at his position. The 320-pounder from Cal (and Notre Dame) is a true nose tackle, an immovable object type of interior DL presence.
The Lions said goodbye to vets DJ Reader and Roy Lopez, so there is an opening for a good block-absorbing nose who can occasionally flash in the backfield. Veteran journeyman Jay Tufele is the primary competition, along with Chris Smith–a former UDFA and Fighting Irish teammate of Keeanaina who has bounced between the waiver wire and the Lions practice squad 31 times in three seasons.
The primary function for a 0/1-Tech in Kelvin Sheppard’s defense is keeping blockers off the LBs (namely Jack Campbell) and creating attack lanes for others. I was underwhelmed by Keeanaina’s game tape from Cal and from seeing him in person at Notre Dame, but he’s got the strongman build and the mentality to pull off those tasks capably.
Eric O’Neill, EDGE
Detroit Lions defensive end Eric O’Neill (66) practices during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
O’Neill is almost the anti-Lucas in terms of playing style and collegiate production. Across four-plus seasons at three colleges (LIU, James Madison, Rutgers), O’Neill posted monster sack totals despite being a short-armed, relatively undersized power rusher. Very muscular and somewhat top-heavy, O’Neill sets a strong edge and uses his hands to shed blocks well. He’s decently fluid for his build, and the man knows how to finish in the backfield (35 sacks, over 110 QB pressures in college).
Despite being roughly the same size (he’s 6-2/247) as Lions off-ball LB Trevor Nowaske, O’Neill offers very little in the way of coverage or playing in space. An astronomical missed tackle rate of over 20 percent in each of his final three college seasons needs to improve quickly for O’Neill to threaten to make the roster.
Amaris Brown, DB
Lions minicamp flashed precisely how Brown can make the team: ball skills. A short-not-small (5-9/197) nickel corner/safety, Brown has quick eyes and reactions to the ball in the air. He snagged an impressive INT in minicamp and immediately transitioned into a dangerous runner.
The Lions defense is in need of dynamic playmakers. That’s Brown’s calling card–eight picks and two scoop-and-score fumble recoveries across parts of six college seasons at three schools. His tackling and off-man coverage stickiness are legit drawbacks, visible across his time at UNLV (1 year), USF (3 years) and Kansas State (2 years). What he lacks in coverage discipline, Brown efforts to make up for with confidence and sizzle. He’s got a shot to stick if his special teams work shows promise.
Erick Hunter, LB
Detroit Lions linebacker Erick Hunter (48) practices during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Watching Hunter’s game film from FCS-level Morgan State is like watching 7-time Pro Bowl LB Lance Briggs, albeit in a smaller package. Like Briggs in his Tampa-2 heyday in Chicago, Hunter lines up tight behind the line and uses his quickness, speed and savvy to fly to the point of attack. The 23-year-old can blitz, he can get off blocks and he can sniff out and attack short passes and stretch runs.
Having said all that, Hunter has a long way to go before challenging for a spot on the Lions defense, let alone being an impactful force like Briggs was. He’s quite light at 220 pounds. That worked splendidly against the likes of Towson and Delaware State, but the size, speed and physicality of the NFL is entirely different and superior. Barring injuries or unexpected ineffectiveness from guys like Damone Clark, Trevor Nowaske and Joe Bachie, Hunter appears destined for the Lions’ practice squad for a developmental year. There is considerable upside and promise, however.
Miles Kitselman, TE
A well-traveled (3 colleges in 5 years) inline tight end, Kitselman offers more blocking upside and acumen than any of the depth TEs competing for spots. He flashed decent athleticism in his time at Tennessee and at the Combine, too.
Consistency of performance as both a blocker and a receiver are critical for Kitselman’s chances to stick–even on Detroit’s practice squad. Despite good flexibility as an athlete, the short-armed (under 32 inches on a 6-5 player) Kitselman really struggled to catch passes that were outside his frame, and his blocking isn’t that good to ignore his apparent limitations as a receiving option.
De’Shawn Rucker, CB
Rucker comes to the Lions as a versatile DB who can play in the slot, shallow safety or outside corner. He’s feisty and not afraid to hit or aggressively tackle in the run game, qualities that should endear him to the Detroit coaching staff. Rucker offers both short-area quickness and long speed, qualities that don’t always come in the same package.
Despite being listed by the Lions at 6-foot and 195 pounds, Rucker measured just 5-foot-9 at USF’s pro day. To catch up with the likes of other short DBs on the Lions roster, including 5th-round pick Keith Abney, Rucker will need to thrive in his coverage reps and on special teams. There is developmental upside that could merit a practice squad spot.
Melvin Priestly, IOL
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Devin Cochran (77) practices with offensive lineman Melvin Priestly (74) during mini camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Priestly offers swing tackle ability, with over 1,000 college snaps at both left tackle and right tackle between his two years at Grambling (LT) and Illinois (RT). At just under 6-foot-3, Priestly appears forced to transition inside to have any realistic chance of making it to a practice squad in the NFL–be it in Detroit or elsewhere. He’ll need to clean up some technical issues and erratic initial footwork that made him serially penalty-prone; Priestly’s 54 assessed penalties in four years are more than the entire Lions line has earned in the last two combined seasons.
