Breaking down the Detroit Lions 2026 UDFA class

· Yahoo Sports

Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman (87) hurdles Alabama defensive back Dijon Lee Jr. (5) during a college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Oct. 18, 2025. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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.

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Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
6-foot-2, 210 pounds

Consensus Ranking: 242
Erik’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

  • Pocket passer
  • Progression-based reads
  • West Coast scheme experience
  • Decisive decision maker
  • Reads man and zone coverages well
  • High football IQ
  • Team captain (2025)
  • Gamer — seven game-winning drives
  • Excels as a timing-based passer
  • Delivers with touch
  • 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
  • Footwork underdeveloped
  • 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:

  • 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, Tennessee
6-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.

Strengths

  • TE-Y (inline) with H-Back range
  • NFL frame
  • Balanced skill set
  • Great run blocker
  • Driving blocker
  • Experienced route runner
  • Effective on screens as a receiver and blocker
  • Game speed is better than timed speed
  • TE2 upside, TE4 floor

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
  • Limited YAC

Draft expert excerpts:

  • Dane Brugler, The Beast (The Athletic): “Kitselman has overachieved at every level. His execution and mindset as a run blocker are the keys to him doing the same in the NFL.”
  • 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, Illinois
6-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.

Strengths

Weaknesses

  • Penalties (54 penalties in 48 games, though just 18 in his two years at Illinois)
Aidan Keanaaina, NT, California
6-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
  • Missed tackle rate: 6.1%
  • Only 1 penalty in college career

Weaknesses

  • Lacks pass rush
  • Not a penetraitor
  • Lacks a great first step
Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
6-foot-5 1/2, 256 pounds

Consensus Ranking: 160
Erik’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.

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
  • NFL frame
  • Can rush with a hand in the dirt and standing up
  • Can kick inside and rush from the interior
  • Power-based pass rusher
  • Effective long-arm
  • Edge setter; drops his anchor and holds his spot
  • Solid efforts in defending the run
  • Explosive in pursuit
  • Heavy hitter

Weaknesses

  • Lacks consistency
  • 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

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, Rutgers
6-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

  • High-motor
  • Strength and power
  • Effective hand usage keeps him clean
  • Comfortable working in space
  • Special teamer mentality

Weaknesses

  • Pass rush plan
  • Wins with effort over technique (needs polish)
  • Lacks explosiveness
  • Undersized for traditional EDGE
Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State
6-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
  • Fluid mover in space
  • Multiphase special teamer: Returned a blocked field goal for a 90-yard touchdown
  • Leadership: Two-time captain
  • Relentless motor

Weaknesses

  • Thin and light for an NFL linebacker
  • Tough time defeating blocks (not afraid to take them on though)
  • Not an edge setter
  • Inconsistent trigger
  • 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, UNLV
5-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.

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
  • Closing speed

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, USF
5-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
  • Solid athlete
  • Plus instincts

Weaknesses

  • Missed tackles
  • Pursuer rather than a disruptor

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