Overlooked in the draft but impossible to ignore on film, Eric O’Neil arrives in Detroit with proven pass-rush production and a chip on his shoulder—giving the Lions a high-upside edge defender who could quickly outplay his UDFA label.
The Detroit Lions continue to take calculated swings on upside in the undrafted free agent market, and one of their more intriguing additions is defensive lineman/edge rusher Eric O’Neill out of Rutgers. With a blend of size, production and late-blooming development, O’Neill brings a profile that could translate well into a rotational role as he competes for a spot on the roster.
At 6-foot-3 and 261 pounds, O’Neill possesses the prototypical frame for a versatile defensive front player. He has the size to hold up against the run while still offering enough athleticism to rush the passer off the edge or from an interior alignment in certain packages. His 2025 season at Rutgers reflected a player capable of contributing in multiple phases, posting a 74.5 overall grade with a strong 73.8 run defense grade and a solid 71.6 pass-rushing grade. While his 51.3 tackling grade and 22.5% missed tackle rate point to an area that needs refinement, his disruptive ability consistently showed up on film.
O’Neill finished his lone season at Rutgers with 37 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, along with two pass deflections. He also generated steady pressure, recording four sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 27 hurries over the course of the year. His ability to affect the pocket, even when not finishing plays, is something the Lions’ coaching staff will likely value as they look to bolster their defensive line depth.
His most dominant performance at Rutgers came against Maryland in 2025, when he delivered a career-high 10 tackles and made a significant impact behind the line of scrimmage. That single game accounted for more than a quarter of his total tackles for the season, underscoring just how disruptive he can be when everything clicks. It also highlighted his motor and ability to take over stretches of a game—traits that are difficult to teach at the next level.
Before arriving at Rutgers, O’Neill put together a breakout campaign at James Madison in 2024. After seeing limited action early in his college career, he emerged as one of the most productive pass rushers in the country during his junior season. He totaled 13 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss and 52 tackles, while also adding an interception returned for a touchdown and three pass deflections. His 13 sacks led the team and marked him as a legitimate edge threat.
His best performance that season came against Marshall on Nov. 30, when he recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks and consistently pressured the quarterback. He also had multiple two-sack games against Ball State, Georgia State and Old Dominion, showing that his production was not a one-game anomaly but part of a sustained stretch of high-level play.
Athletically, O’Neill backed up his on-field production with a solid showing at his Pro Day. He ran a 4.81-second 40-yard dash with a 1.69-second 10-yard split, numbers that reflect good burst for his size. His explosiveness was evident in a 35.5-inch vertical jump and a 117-inch broad jump, while his 27 reps on the bench press demonstrated upper-body strength. His agility drills—a 4.40-second short shuttle and 7.38-second three-cone—further reinforced his ability to move effectively in space.
O’Neill’s path to the NFL has not been linear. After limited playing time early in his college career, he broke out at James Madison before transferring to Rutgers for his final season against tougher competition. That trajectory suggests a player still ascending, one who may not have reached his full potential.
For the Lions, O’Neill represents a low-risk, high-upside addition. If he can improve his tackling consistency and continue to develop his pass-rush arsenal, he has a legitimate chance to carve out a role. At minimum, his production and physical tools make him a name to watch as Detroit evaluates its defensive line depth throughout training camp.