The Detroit Lions’ 2026 rookie class may be small in terms of premium draft capital, but it already looks like it could matter in a big way. Detroit made only two picks in the first three rounds, yet five rookies landed on the 53-man roster, and at least three of them are expected to take on significant-to-major roles this season.
So who ends up as the team’s Rookie of the Year?
Around the staff, the race has basically narrowed to two names: Derrick Moore and Blake Miller.
Moore is the pick for Ryan Mathews, Brandon Knapp and Jeremy Reisman. Mathews pointed to the Lions trading up to land Moore in the second round, a move that signals how strongly they view him as a difference-maker. He also noted that Moore’s preseason work and training camp showing suggested he is exactly what Detroit needed on the defensive line.
Knapp made the case from the other side of the line, saying Moore gets the edge because of the players around him. With Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Tyliek Williams and DJ Wonnum in the mix, Knapp expects opposing offenses to focus heavily on Hutchinson and the interior, which should leave Moore with plenty of one-on-one chances to cash in.
Reisman also landed on Moore, while making it clear this wasn’t a knock on Miller. He wrote that Moore could deliver a bigger overall positive impact because of the position he plays, where his wins matter more and his mistakes are easier to cover up. Reisman added that Moore should get on the field early as a pass-rushing specialist and could finish with 6-8 sacks.
Miller, though, had the larger share of support. John Whiticar, Erik Schlitt, Al Karsten, Morgan Cannon and Anthony Balaj all chose the first-round right tackle.
Whiticar called Miller the favorite for the award, saying that while Moore, Keith Abney and Skyler Gill-Howard could all help right away, Miller is the one to beat because of where he plays and the importance of the position on the offensive line. He said Miller has both the talent and the opportunity to stand out as a rookie.
Schlitt agreed, calling Miller a day-one starter who looks like a ready-made NFL right tackle. He expects rookie growing pains, but also believes Miller will be a steady presence and a key piece in the run game.
Karsten took the long view, saying Miller will go through some early peaks and valleys before proving the Lions made a smart investment in the trenches by Halloween. He expects the offensive line to start looking “scary” by then, which would help Drew Petzing use the team’s skill-position talent more freely. Karsten called Miller one of the most important stabilizing rookie additions of the Dan Campbell-Brad Holmes era.
Cannon described his pick as the chalky one, but still went with Miller, praising his battle-tested college background at Clemson and the athletic profile that could really show once he settles in as a pro. Cannon said that if Miller can lock down the right side opposite perennial All-Pro Penei Sewell, the Lions should feel good about the selection.
Balaj also backed Miller, saying that while Skyler Gill-Howard and Moore may provide the flashier moments, Miller has already shown enough through the end of training camp to ease concerns. For Balaj, a rookie tackle stepping into the starting lineup without much trouble is a major win for the organization.
That leaves the Lions with a clear early storyline: Moore is the disruptive defensive front option with upside to pop, while Miller is the plug-and-play lineman who could become the steadying force. Either way, Detroit’s 2026 rookie class is already positioned to play a real role.
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