The Detroit Lions' Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) class of 2026 is an intriguing bunch, with a mix of high-potential prospects and long shots. With nine UDFAs on the roster and more to come, the Lions have a unique opportunity to develop players who might not have been drafted but have the potential to make an impact. Using a model developed by Arif Hasan, we can rank the chances of each UDFA making the initial 53-man roster, taking into account guaranteed money and Consensus Big Board rankings. Here's a look at the top UDFAs and their prospects, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Aidan Keanaaina, DT (Cal)
Aidan Keanaaina stands out as the top UDFA on the Lions' roster, and for good reason. With $267,500 in guaranteed money and a Consensus Big Board ranking of 545, he has a solid chance of making the team. His size (320 pounds) and position (nose tackle) are particularly appealing to the Lions, who have been lacking in this area after losing DJ Reader and Roy Lopez in free agency. Personally, I think Keanaaina's size and position make him a strong contender for the roster, and his guaranteed money only adds to his appeal. However, he'll need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot.
Erick Hunter, LB (Morgan State)
Erick Hunter is another UDFA with a realistic path to the roster, especially given the Lions' relatively thin depth at linebacker. With $175,000 in guaranteed money and a Consensus Big Board ranking of 414, he has a 13.3% chance of making the team. Hunter is a high-end athlete with a lot of motor, which could land him a special teams role early on. From my perspective, his athleticism and versatility make him a strong candidate for the roster, and his guaranteed money only adds to his value. However, he'll need to adjust to the NFL level of play and prove himself in training camp.
Anthony Lucas, EDGE (USC)
Anthony Lucas is an intriguing prospect, with a Consensus Big Board ranking of 160 and a projected fifth-round talent. The Lions are wagering on his prototypical NFL size (6-foot-5, 256 pounds), and his ranking on the big board is the fifth-highest among all NFL UDFAs this year. While Lucas was projected to have a better career at USC than he did, the Lions see potential in him. Personally, I think his size and ranking make him a strong contender for the roster, and his projected position as a fifth-round talent adds to his appeal. However, he'll need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot.
Luke Altmyer, QB (Illinois)
Luke Altmyer is a quarterback with a reputation as a smart player with some mobility. With no guaranteed money and a Consensus Big Board ranking of 242, he has a 9.8% chance of making the team. While it's unlikely the Lions will carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, Altmyer is running unopposed to the QB3 spot. Personally, I think his reputation as a smart quarterback with some mobility makes him a strong contender for the roster, and his lack of guaranteed money only adds to his value. However, he'll need to avoid blowing training camp and the preseason to stick around on the practice squad as a developmental backup.
Miles Kitselman, TE (Tennessee)
Miles Kitselman has an intriguing path to the roster, despite the Lions being likely set with TE1-3 (Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin). With no guaranteed money and a Consensus Big Board ranking of 313, he has an 8.2% chance of making the team. Kitselman has a very real chance to justify a TE4 spot, and his competition (Thomas Gordon and Zach Horton) has essentially zero NFL experience. Personally, I think his versatility and potential to grow into a player capable of filling most tight end roles make him a strong contender for the roster. However, he'll need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot.
Eric O'Neill, EDGE (Rutgers)
Eric O'Neill is an intriguing prospect due to his incredible 2024 season at James Madison, when he tallied 52 tackles, 13 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for loss. With no guaranteed money and a Consensus Big Board ranking of 345, he has a 7.7% chance of making the team. While he was far less productive at Rutgers last season, his climb from community college to D1 school shows potential for further development. From my perspective, his incredible 2024 season makes him a strong contender for the roster, and his lack of guaranteed money only adds to his value. However, he'll need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot.
De'Shawn Rucker, CB (USF)
De'Shawn Rucker is a fast player with some experience of versatility at both outside and nickel positions. With no guaranteed money and a Consensus Big Board ranking of 646, he has a 4.1% chance of making the team. While he couldn't crack the starting lineup at Tennessee before transferring to USF, his speed and versatility make him an intriguing prospect. Personally, I think his speed and versatility make him a strong contender for the roster, and his lack of guaranteed money only adds to his value. However, he'll need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot.
Aamaris Brown, DB (UNLV)
Aamaris Brown has similar inside/outside versatility and a size (5-foot-9, 197 pounds) that won't shy the Lions from trying him at both positions. With no guaranteed money and a Consensus Big Board ranking of 724, he has a 3.5% chance of making the team. While he's got some 'dawg' in him, we'll have to see how he matches up against NFL receivers. Personally, I think his versatility and size make him a strong contender for the roster, and his lack of guaranteed money only adds to his value. However, he'll need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot.
Melvin Priestly, OL (Illinois)
Melvin Priestly is an intriguing prospect, with a Consensus Big Board ranking of 821. It's unclear if he'll play at tackle (his college position) or guard (where many project him), but either way will be a tough climb for the former Illini. Detroit invested heavily in both spots this offseason, leaving little room for Priestly, unless he 'balls out' in the summer. Personally, I think his ranking and potential to play at both tackle and guard make him a strong contender for the roster, and his lack of guaranteed money only adds to his value. However, he'll need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot.
Deeper Analysis
The Lions' UDFA class of 2026 is an intriguing bunch, with a mix of high-potential prospects and long shots. The model developed by Arif Hasan provides a fascinating look at the probabilities of each UDFA making the roster, taking into account guaranteed money and Consensus Big Board rankings. However, it's important to remember that these probabilities are just estimates and don't guarantee a spot on the roster. The Lions will need to evaluate each UDFA based on their performance in training camp and the preseason, and ultimately decide which players have the best chance of contributing to the team's success.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions' UDFA class of 2026 is an intriguing bunch, with a mix of high-potential prospects and long shots. While the model developed by Arif Hasan provides a fascinating look at the probabilities of each UDFA making the roster, the final decision will come down to the Lions' evaluation of each player's performance in training camp and the preseason. Personally, I think the Lions have a strong group of UDFAs this year, and I'm excited to see how they develop and contribute to the team's success in the upcoming season.
