The Detroit Lions wanted more pass-rush juice heading into the 2026 season, and undrafted free agent Eric O'Neill gave them a reason to keep him around.
O'Neill earned his spot on the initial 53-man roster after a strong training camp, where he stood out with the kind of playmaking instincts and intangibles the coaching staff clearly valued. His versatility also helped separate him from the pack as Detroit worked to reshape its defensive front.
General manager Brad Holmes said this week that O'Neill was one of the undrafted players the Lions were determined to land.
"There's an emphasis to, we wanted to add more juice and more ability to get after the quarterback this past cycle," said Holmes. "But, Eric O'Neill, look, there's alway, when you get into undrafted free agency, there's always a handful of guys that you want to make sure you really, really get for various type of reasons. And Eric O'Neill was one of those guys."
Holmes also pointed to the traits that made O'Neill such a fit in Detroit.
"He's a very high-motor player, he's very instinctive. He's a better athlete than his numbers may indicate and he gets the most out of himself.
He's just one of those guys that we knew that he was going to fit right in here in terms of what we're about from a culture standpoint. And he took advantage of his opportunities and it worked out well for him.”
Assistant general manager Ray Agnew, meanwhile, sees the defensive line as a real strength for the Lions. He singled out Alim McNeill, who had a really strong training camp, and said the group has a chance to carry major weight this season.
"I would say it's a strong point of the defense. Alim (McNeill), he’s played as good as anybody in the League right now and Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch is the real deal off the edge," said Agnew.
"Tyleik’s (Williams) growing into a heck of a football player. D.J.
Wonnum is bringing that veteran presence along with Derrick Moore, the young kid we drafted for Michigan. I think that group is going to be very vital for us this year, and I think they're going to put up a strong effort.
I’m really, really, really excited about that group.”
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Detroit is already looking at outside options, and the list includes Trayveon Williams, Raheem Mostert and Antonio Gibson as possible depth signings. It is the kind of early-season adjustment teams would rather avoid, but for a Lions offense that has leaned on stability and balance, the next move at running back could matter sooner than anyone expected. [Read more 🡒]