The Lions have found hidden gems among undrafted rookies before. This year, three overlooked players are making a serious push for Detroit’s 53-man roster and one may already be forcing his way onto the team.
It’s not uncommon for an undrafted rookie to make the Detroit Lions’ final 53-man roster. Since Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes took over, Detroit has consistently found value among undrafted free agents, with several earning roster spots.
This year, the Lions added nine undrafted free agents: Luke Altmyer, Miles Kitselman, Melvin Priestly, Anthony Lucas, Erick Hunter, Aamaris Brown, De’Shawn Rucker, Aidan Keanaaina and Eric O’Neill.
Of those nine players, only six remain with the team. Keanaaina, Rucker and Kitselman were released because of injuries.
Among the six remaining undrafted rookies, I believe three have a legitimate chance to make Detroit’s 53-man roster.
1. Luke Altmyer
Altmyer joined the Lions as an undrafted rookie out of Illinois and initially spent most of training camp competing for the No. 3 quarterback job.
However, Teddy Bridgewater’s unexpected retirement changed the situation. Altmyer quickly moved into the QB2 conversation, and Detroit subsequently added veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs on a one-year contract.
Despite the addition of Dobbs, Altmyer is making a strong case for himself.
In Detroit’s first preseason game, Altmyer looked calm and collected, made good reads and consistently moved the offense down the field. While keeping an undrafted rookie as the backup quarterback would be a bold decision, Altmyer is starting to make it increasingly difficult for the Lions to leave him off the roster.
I believe Altmyer has shown enough that if Detroit places him on the practice squad, another team could potentially claim him.
2. Eric O’Neill
O’Neill has slowly but surely made it harder for the Lions to cut him.
The undrafted defensive lineman earned Detroit’s sixth-highest PFF grade on defense in the team’s first preseason game against the Bengals, posting a 72.5 grade.
O’Neill played 38 defensive snaps and recorded two tackles, including one solo tackle, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit.
His most impressive play came early in the game when he beat veteran left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to get to Joe Burrow. O’Neill’s pressure knocked Burrow to the ground and forced an errant throw that sailed over tight end Mike Gesicki and out of bounds. It was O’Neill’s second defensive snap of the game.
He continued to make his case during Tuesday’s practice, where O’Neill came down with an interception and returned it for a pick-six.
With each practice and preseason game, O’Neill appears to be putting himself more firmly into the roster conversation.
3. Anthony Lucas
Lucas was viewed as one of Detroit’s more intriguing undrafted free-agent additions after the NFL draft.
The former USC defensive lineman possesses impressive physical measurements, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 267 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan.
In 2025, Lucas recorded 37 tackles, three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Lucas finished Detroit’s first preseason game with two total tackles and one quarterback hit. Although he received a relatively low 52.8 PFF grade, his athleticism and physical traits were evident throughout his 50 defensive snaps.
Lucas still has plenty to prove, but his combination of size, length and athletic ability gives him an intriguing path to the 53-man roster.
With two preseason games remaining, these three undrafted rookies have given themselves a legitimate opportunity to go from overlooked prospects to members of the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster.
