The Detroit Lions have gotten eight games’ worth of tape on their rookie class, and a few first-year players have already forced their way into real roles. With Week 10 here and the NFL season past the midpoint, the group has offered a mixed bag of steady contributors, surprise risers and one abrupt injury setback.
Start up front with Tate Miller, who has been in the lineup for all seven games he’s played, missing only the Week 2 matchup with Buffalo because of an ankle injury. His work has been cleaner in pass protection than in the run game. Pro Football Focus has him 23rd among all tackles in pass-blocking grade and 73rd in run-blocking, and among rookie tackles with at least 93 snaps, he sits first in pass-blocking grade and seventh in run-blocking.
It hasn’t all been smooth. In the Lions’ Week 9 win over Miami, Miller had a rougher day, including a holding penalty - the first of his young career - and some trouble against Chop Robinson. Even so, he has held up well as a pass-blocker opposite Penei Sewell and continues to make progress as a run blocker.
On the edge, Ahmed Hassanein has been waiting for his moment, and he got one after DJ Wonnum went down. That opening turned into a breakout against Miami, where Moore posted the first two sacks of his career. He had been a quiet part of the rotation before that, mostly used as a rush end and brought in to add juice on passing downs.
Sunday gave Detroit a better look at the full package. Moore not only flashed as a pass-rusher, but also showed he can hold up at the edge against the run. Wonnum has played well and is expected back in his starting spot once healthy, but Moore made a strong case for more chances.
Linebacker Rolder’s rookie year has been shaped by injuries from the start. A hamstring issue cost him most of training camp, then kept him inactive for the first two games. He finally made his debut in Week 3 and saw a limited defensive role in Week 4 before his workload picked up after the bye.
That stretch included his first career sack and two tackles for loss in the win over Minnesota. Then came the setback: a season-ending hamstring injury in the fourth quarter, with surgery possibly needed. It cut short what had been a promising run after the bye.
Abney has already been asked to do a little bit of everything. He opened the year as a backup corner with nickel versatility, but Avonte Maddox’s season-ending injury changed the picture. Detroit shifted him to safety work, and he earned his first start there in Week 5 against the Cardinals, when he also picked off his first career interception.
The long-term fit is still unsettled. Brian Branch is back, Kerby Joseph is nearing a return and Chuck Clark has played well, so snaps at safety may be hard to come by. Still, Abney has given the Lions a useful option because he can line up at boundary corner, nickel or safety.
Law’s rookie season never got off the ground because of a torn ACL suffered in offseason workouts. The timing of the injury points to a return that should allow him to take part in training camp next season.
Among the biggest early surprises has been Gill-Howard, who has settled in quickly and become one of Detroit’s most productive rookie pass-rushers. The Texas Tech product has earned a healthy snap count thanks to his athleticism and his ability to win off the line, and he pairs well with Tyleik Williams, Detroit’s run-stuffing first-round pick in 2025.
Gill-Howard leads all rookie interior defensive linemen in pressures and ranks sixth among all rookies overall. His pass-rush win rate is tied for fifth at 6.7 percent, and he looks set to remain a major piece of the defense. The Lions have also used him on offense at times, lining him up as a fullback or extra tight end in multiple games.
O’Neill, an undrafted free agent from Rutgers, has stuck on the roster and carved out a role of his own. He’s one of the team’s leaders in special teams snaps and has also seen a small defensive workload.
On defense, he has a 58.3 PFF grade across 16 snaps, including 11 pass-rush reps. On special teams, he has been steady, piling up seven solo tackles.
Lucas made his NFL debut on Sunday as a practice squad elevation with Wonnum out, and Detroit clearly trusted him enough to make him the call-up over Ahmed Hassanein. He played 12 snaps, nine of them as a pass-rusher, and finished with one pressure. That usage suggests the coaching staff sees him as a viable option if injuries force their hand again.
In Other News...
Lions Suddenly Have A Left Guard Problem Dan Campbell Didn't Settle
Christian Mahoganys sudden seat on the bench created a new wrinkle for Detroit at left guard, even if the door to reclaiming the job is still open. Dan Campbell confirmed Mahogany sat out a game because of a violation of team rules, and Miles Frazier stepped in to start in his place, giving the Lions a quick look at a different option on the interior line.
Campbells update leaves the position in a state of uncertainty heading into the matchup with the New England Patriots, especially with the rest of the roster still being monitored. He also said it is unclear whether cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive end DJ Wonnum will be available, so Detroit could be sorting through more than one availability question as it tries to settle the left side of the line. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have Real Hope In Jack Campbell Situation
Jack Campbells injury sent a jolt through the Lions last week, and the immediate concern was bigger than football. The linebacker was placed on injured reserve after suffering a serious neck injury against the Vikings, which means he has to miss at least four games, and teammates have been openly emotional in the aftermath. Jared Goff was among those reflecting on how the team handled the moment, a reminder of how quickly a routine division game turned into something far more sobering.
There is at least a sliver of encouraging news now, though, and it has given the building a reason to breathe a little easier. NFL reporter Mike Silver has indicated there is cautious optimism about Campbell possibly returning this season, based on the progress he has made since the injury. For a defense that has leaned on Campbells presence, the idea of getting him back at some point would be a meaningful lift, even if the timeline remains very much up in the air. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Waiting On Kerby Joseph As Secondary Decision Looms
Kerby Josephs return remains on hold as Detroit heads to Germany for its next game, with Dan Campbell confirming the safety will not be available while he continues to recover from a knee cartilage condition. Joseph is still on the physically unable to perform list, leaving the Lions to manage their secondary without one of their top defensive backs as the trip overseas approaches.
The timing only adds to the pressure on the roster decision ahead, because Detroit has until next week to decide whether to activate Joseph to the 53-man roster or leave him on PUP for the rest of the season. The Lions have already added Andre Cisco for depth at safety, a move that helps cover the position in the short term while the bigger question around Josephs status still hangs over the defense. [Read more 🡒]