The Detroit Lions’ 2026 rookie class is walking into camp with a real chance to matter right away.
That’s what makes this group worth watching. An offseason full of turnover left openings all over the roster, and the Lions may end up leaning on multiple first-year players as they try to climb back to the top of the NFC North.
The clearest name to circle is Miller, Detroit’s first-round pick. With Taylor Decker released, the Lions have an open battle at what is expected to be the right tackle spot, especially with Penei Sewell expected to shift to the left side.
Miller is set to compete mostly with Larry Borom, though the door is open for someone else to jump into the mix. He arrives with a strong durability track record, having made over 50 starts at Clemson, and the Lions are hoping he can become a long-term anchor up front.
If camp goes well, he could win the job from Day 1 and make an immediate impact.
The pass rush is another area where a rookie could force his way into the picture. Detroit has had a hard time finding a reliable second EDGE opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and Moore gives them a chance to solve that problem.
The Lions added D.J. Wonnum and Payton Turner in free agency, but Moore brings a different kind of upside after posting 10 sacks last year at Michigan.
He has the athleticism to win at the line of scrimmage, and while the veterans may have the early edge, a strong camp could put Moore in line for snaps as a rookie.
At linebacker, Rolder has already made a little noise. He picked off a pass during one open practice in the spring and has looked comfortable in the defensive scheme early on.
There’s room for him to compete, too, because Alex Anzalone signed with Tampa Bay in free agency. Jack Campbell is coming off an All-Pro season as the middle linebacker, and Derrick Barnes is back, but Detroit still has one opening in its base 4-3 defense.
Malcolm Rodriguez is the main competition, though Rolder’s college missed tackle rate and athleticism give him a real shot to earn trust.
The secondary could be just as interesting. With the release of Terrion Arnold, Detroit’s cornerback situation has more uncertainty, and the team could already be without two starting safeties when camp opens.
The Lions are expected to hold a competition for the second cornerback spot opposite D.J. Reed, and Abney is a name to watch in that battle.
His size appears better suited for the slot, even if Roger McCreary is the more natural and experienced option. McCreary could slide into a boundary role, which would clear the nickel spot for Abney.
The Arizona State product brings a feisty style and plenty to prove in his first NFL camp, and if he starts making plays on the ball in camp or preseason, it will be tough for Detroit to keep him off the field.
In Other News...
Buccaneers Are Seeing Why Alex Anzalone Meant So Much In Detroit
Alex Anzalones move to Tampa Bay has already given the Buccaneers a fresh look at the kind of linebacker Detroit spent years valuing. The veteran signed a two-year deal and has stepped into the weakside role in Todd Bowles defense, bringing the same versatility and command that made him a captain and a steady presence for the Lions. After a productive 2025 season in Detroit, the early signs in Tampa have been encouraging.
For the Lions, this is the familiar reminder that Anzalone was never just a stat sheet player. He handled traffic, helped set the tone and gave Detroit a defensive voice it could trust, even as a concussion kept him out of Week 18 last season. Tampa Bay is also trying to sort out life after Lavonte Davids retirement, so Anzalones arrival comes with real expectations, and the first stretch of his new job is already showing why Detroit valued him so highly. [Read more 🡒]
These Lions Fringe Players Are Suddenly In The 53-Man Conversation
The back end of the Lions roster is starting to get a little more interesting than the usual camp fodder. Eight members of the Pride of Detroit staff recently sorted Detroits 90-man group into a consensus ranking for 2026, and the names clustered in the 80s and 70s are the sort of fringe players who can disappear quickly in August or force their way into the conversation with a strong enough summer.
A few of the usual long-shot labels still apply, but there are also players with clearer paths than a typical camp body, which is what makes this part of the roster worth watching. Detroits need for help at nose tackle after losing Roy Lopez and DJ Reader gives one interior option a real opening, while the mix also includes a veteran with a lengthy resume and a handful of young linemen and skill players trying to turn limited opportunities into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
This Familiar Lions Receiver Is Suddenly Back In The Roster Fight
The Lions receiver room is still sorting itself out as camp and preseason decisions loom, and Tom Kennedy has found himself right back in the mix. A familiar face in Detroit since 2019, Kennedy has long been valued for his versatility, including his work as a return specialist, and he is now competing for one of the handful of wideout spots the team is expected to keep on the final roster.
With around five or six receivers likely to survive the cut, the margin for error is thin for everyone on the bubble. Kennedy is part of that fight alongside players such as Dominic Lovett and Cedrick Wilson Jr., plus a group of UFL receivers trying to force their way into the conversation, and the Lions still have some sorting to do before the depth chart settles. [Read more 🡒]