In addition to the seven selected players in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have also added another nine rookies to their roster from the undrafted free agent (UDFA) market.
Last season, none of the Lions’ UDFAs made the initial roster, breaking a 15-year streak in which at least one undrafted rookie found a spot on the 53-man roster. Let’s take a closer look at the players who will be looking to start a new streak in Detroit in 2026.
Advertisement
Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois6-foot-2, 210 pounds
Consensus Ranking: 242Erik’s Rankings: 286
Altmyer began his career at Mississippi but transferred to Illinois after two seasons, finishing his final three years of college in Champaign. Over that time with the Illini, Altmyer was highly decorated, winning 23 of his 35 starts (second-most in team history) and posting a 64.4% completion percentage, 7,607 passing yards, 57 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, along with 741 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Strengths
West Coast scheme experience
Reads man and zone coverages well
Gamer — seven game-winning drives
Excels as a timing-based passer
Athleticism to buy time — keeps eyes downfield
Weaknesses
Adequate NFL arm strength — best throwing short and intermediate routes
Deep routes lack strength and accuracy
Inconsistent accuracy when pressured
Arm slot non-traditional (side-arms throws)
Shallow depth in his drop leads to a higher pressure rate
Altmyer was a draftable prospect on the consensus board, meaning there were several draft profiles on his skill set. Here are a few excerpts from some of the best:
Advertisement
Dane Brugler, The Beast (The Athletic): “Altmyer is limited in areas but can be a point guard-style passer who distributes the ball quickly and efficiently. He can have a Taylor Heinicke-type NFL career, in the right situation.”
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): “Three-year starter with solid passing production relative to the lack of protection he saw in 2025. Altmyer has experience in pro passing concepts and shows decent eye discipline/patience to give the play a chance. He throws with adequate anticipation into zone windows but a slower operation time and lack of arm talent hurt his chances of beating tight man coverage.”
NFL Hall-of-Fame QB Kurt Warner broke down Altmyer’s game film: “Some really good things. You can see the second-level throws, you can see the different paces he’s able to put on some of those throws, you see the ability to process, and create plays. He’s got athletic traits, without a doubt. You saw him move a little bit; he’s got enough arm, all those things. You’d love to see him get more fluid, in terms of making those athletic, off-platform, when his feet aren’t with him type throws. But there are some really good things to like about Luke Altmyer.”
Miles Kitselman, TE, Tennessee6-foot-5, 251 pounds
Erik’s Rankings: 269
After one season at a community college in Kansas, Kitselman’s play caught the attention of the SEC, and he transferred to Alabama for two seasons before finishing his career in Tennessee. After being a backup for the Tide, Kitselman started all 24 games over his two seasons in Knoxville.
Kitselman is known for his balance as a blocker and receiver. In 2025, he secured 26 receptions for 253 yards (9.7 average) and scored two touchdowns in 2025. He was primarily used as a TE-Y, and lined up “inline” or in the backfield on 77.2% of his snaps.
Advertisement
Strengths
TE-Y (inline) with H-Back range
Effective on screens as a receiver and blocker
Game speed is better than timed speed
Weaknesses
Hand technique will need refinement at the NFL level
Drops have been an issue (5 in 2025)
Lacks burst to separate out of breaks
Draft expert excerpts:
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): “Kitselman has good size and will play as a connected tight end on the next level… he’s willing to put in work in-line or as a move blocker… Kitselman has Day 3 draft value and could find work as a TE3/4.”
Melvin Priestly, OL, Illinois6-foot-3, 317 pounds
Priestly began his career at Grambling, where he started for two seasons at left tackle, before transferring to Illinois, where he played right tackle for his final two collegiate seasons. In his 48 career starts (1,608 pass blocking snaps), Priestley allowed 60 pressures and just seven sacks, per PFF.
While he has four years of starting experience at tackle, he is projected to kick inside to guard in the NFL due to his arm length and footwork, noting in a recent interview that NFL teams are suggesting to him that he would likely play guard or center, but could also kick out to tackle in emergency spots.
Advertisement
Strengths
Better athleticism than numbers suggest
Drive blocker in the run game
Weaknesses
Penalties (54 penalties in 48 games, though just 18 in his two years at Illinois)
Aidan Keanaaina, NT, California6-foot-3, 321 pounds
Reported contract terms: $300,000 guaranteed
After spending four years at Notre Dame as a reserve, Keanaaina transferred to California for his final two seasons in college, starting all 26 games over that span. He applied for a seventh year of eligibility due to an ACL injury that cost him the 2022 season, but was denied. During his time as a starter at Cal, Keenaaina registered 45 tackles, 1 sack, 2.5 tackles for loss in 2024, and 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss in 2025.
Strengths
A-gap, B-gap, and over-the-center nose tackle
Primarily a power-based run defender
More of an occupier/space eater, but possesses a solid anchor
Routinely takes on double teams
Only 1 penalty in college career
Weaknesses
Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC6-foot-5 1/2, 256 pounds
Consensus Ranking: 160Erik’s Rankings: 198
By far, Anthony Lucas was the highest player on the consensus board to sign with the Lions as an undrafted player. A highly recruited five-star high school athlete, Lucas started his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to USC for his final three seasons.
Advertisement
While Lucas flashed during his time in LA—and even had some projecting him as a potential first-rounder early in 2024—he never lived up to those expectations and finished his career with pedestrian numbers. He only started for two seasons at USC (missing the back half of his junior year due to injury) and didn’t register a sack until his senior year (three total). His final stat line in 2025 was 37 tackles, three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
That being said, Lucas is a prime example of a player who will get a shot in the NFL based on his upside and physical traits: 6-foot-5 1/2, 256 pounds, 34 3/8-inch arm length, 85 1/8-in wingspan.
Strengths
Prototypical base end in the Lions’ scheme
Can rush with a hand in the dirt and standing up
Can kick inside and rush from the interior
Edge setter; drops his anchor and holds his spot
Solid efforts in defending the run
Weaknesses
Production is significantly lacking
Lowers his head too much, taking him out of the play
Doesn’t maximize his athletic gifts
Lacks a pass rush plan or an extensive bag of moves
Advertisement
Draft expert excerpts:
Dane Brugler, The Beast (The Athletic): “Lucas has NFL-quality size, with the power profile and quickness to be a firm NFL edge setter and work-in-progress pass rusher. As long as his “care” factor stays high, he has enough physical traits to find work on an NFL defensive line.”
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): “There are physical traits and athletic ability to work with but there isn’t enough on tape to project Lucas will stick on a roster.”
Eric O’Neill, EDGE, Rutgers6-foot-2, 247 pounds
O’Neill started his collegiate career at a community college (Long Island) in New York from 2021 through 2023, spent the 2024 season tearing up opponents at James Madison, and then closed out his career at Rutgers in 2025. At James Madison, O’Neill shone, registering 52 tackles, 13 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, an interception return for a touchdown, and three pass deflections. Those numbers cooled in 2025 at Rutgers, where he registered 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and two pass deflections.
Strengths
Effective hand usage keeps him clean
Comfortable working in space
Weaknesses
Wins with effort over technique (needs polish)
Undersized for traditional EDGE
Advertisement
Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State6-foot-2 1/2, 224 pounds (33 1/8-inch arm length)
Reported contract terms: $175,000 guaranteed
Hunter spent all five years of his college career at Morgan State, starting 10 of the first 20 games over his first two seasons, then earning a full-time starting role in 2023. An injury cost him most of the 2024 season (he played in one game), but he returned for his senior year in 2025 at full strength and dominated, registering 102 tackles (leading the MEAC), four sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles. He would finish his career second on Morgan State’s career tackles leaders with 298 career tackles.
Strengths
Explosive athlete with great length
Intelligence/instincts: quick to diagnose
Excels against the run with downhill aggression
Best traits show up in man coverage
Translatable 4.48-second 40-yard dash speed
Multiphase special teamer: Returned a blocked field goal for a 90-yard touchdown
Leadership: Two-time captain
Advertisement
Weaknesses
Thin and light for an NFL linebacker
Tough time defeating blocks (not afraid to take them on though)
Competition level concerns
Draft expert excerpts:
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): “His athletic testing was outstanding and he can compete for a role on special teams, but he’ll need to show he can handle backup linebacker duties to have a chance of sticking on a roster.”
Jordan Reid (ESPN): “He’s long, he’s rangy, and aggressive. But what I love the most about him is how consistent he is in pass coverage. I think he has a chance to definitely stick on someone’s 53-man roster.”
Aamaris Brown, NB/DB, UNLV5-foot-9 1/2, 197 pounds
Brown began his college career at Kansas State, but after two seasons as a backup, he transferred to South Florida and immediately won a starting job at outside corner. After three seasons starting at USF, Brown transferred to UNLV for his final season, and the Rebels kicked him inside to nickel, where he once again earned a starting role.
While Brown had three years of starting experience starting on the outside, he looked like a natural in the slot, securing four interceptions in his first four games in 2025, including taking two to the house for scores. He would go on to expand his role to safety throughout the season, expanding his overall skill set.
Advertisement
Strengths
Positional versatility; can play in the slot and at safety
Ball skills: aggressive and opportunistic
Great instincts when the ball is in the air
Physical downhill run defender
Weaknesses
Prefers to body tackle instead of using wrap-up techniques
Missed tackles as a result
Can hang in coverage, but better receivers can get the better of him
De’Shawn Rucker, CB/SAF, USF5-foot-9, 192 pounds
Rucker began his career at Tennessee, but after seeing limited action over his first two seasons, he suffered a season-ending injury in his third. He then transferred to USF for his final two seasons, where he earned a starting role. While Rucker played primarily on the outside (1,123 snaps), he does have a bit of slot (270) and safety (74) experience under his belt. In 2025, Rucker allowed 31 receptions on 53 targets, allowing 341 yards, but just one touchdown.
Strengths
4.38-second speed translated to the field
Looks at his best in off-man coverages
Weaknesses
Pursuer rather than a disruptor
Breaking down the Detroit Lions 2026 UDFA class Top World News Today.
Hence then, the article about breaking down the detroit lions 2026 udfa class was published today ( ) and is available on TOP world News today ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Breaking down the Detroit Lions 2026 UDFA class )
Also on site :
- In wild late-night posting spree, Trump attacks Obama with imaginary quote and false conspiracy theories
- Encrypted texts reveal how Nvidia chips and U.S. tech are being smuggled to China and Russia
- Fighting in Sudan’s Blue Nile State displaces thousands