Detroit’s rookie class has already given the “iron man” label a familiar face in tackle Blake Miller, but there’s another durable lineman who deserves a lot more attention heading into training camp: undrafted free agent Melvin Priestly.
Priestly comes out of Illinois with a spotless availability record, never missing a game in college. He dealt with minor bumps along the way at Illinois and Grambling State, but he kept answering the bell. For a Lions team trying to stockpile dependable bodies up front, that kind of track record matters.
He’s more naturally a guard than a tackle, though he’s handled both spots. That versatility gives him a real shot to stick in Detroit, especially with the team looking for dependable depth inside as it tries to reboot the offense and the running game.
The numbers from his 2025 season back up the case for some buzz. Priestly finished as one of the top guards in the Big 10, according to PFF, with a 71.5 pass blocking grade and a 65.9 overall grade. He also gave up 14 quarterback pressures, per 247Sports, but that workload should get a little easier if Detroit keeps him inside where he looks most comfortable.
That’s what makes this one of the more intriguing camp battles on the roster. Left guard is wide open, and Christian Mahogany will get a chance to win his job back after a lower leg injury and an attempted return that didn’t look quite like the same player Detroit had before. Juice Scruggs, Miles Frazier, Ben Bartch, and Priestly are all in the mix for that spot.
Right guard looks a little more settled with Tate Ratledge there, though even that job doesn’t feel completely locked down yet.
Priestly has a path to the roster if Detroit really intends to keep the entire guard room competitive. The tackle group appears more spoken for, with Miller viewed as pro-ready by multiple draft analysts and Penei Sewell moving to the left side to help make room for Miller.
So yes, Priestly still has to earn everything. But if his college production is any guide, the Lions may have found another undrafted gem.
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That flexibility matters because the Lions do not have much certainty at cornerback right now, and Abney may be needed sooner than planned if the depth chart keeps shifting. A role that once looked like a clean fit in the nickel could expand as the season approaches, leaving Detroit to see whether the rookie can handle a bigger job if called on. [Read more 🡒]