The Detroit Lions’ 2025 season was the first time in 15 years that an undrafted rookie didn’t make the team’s initial 53 50-man roster. Even players who appeared to have strong training camps—like safety Ian Kennelly—didn’t make the team nor the practice squad. That said, a couple of those players have hung around a year later. Receiver Jackson Meeks, running back Kye Robichaux, tight end Zach Horton, and offensive lineman Mason Miller are all currently on the 90-man roster, hoping to keep those NFL
dreams alive.
Joining them is an unconfirmed class of nine new undrafted rookies. In the latest installment of our 2026 Detroit Lions draft roundtable, our staff discusses which of the new rookie additions have the best chance of hanging around and making an impact.
Previous 2026 draft roundtables:
- Pick most excited to see in training camp
- Favorite Lions 2026 draft pick
- Least favorite Lions 2026 draft pick
- Pick the Lions should have made
Which Lions UDFA has the best chance of making an impact?
Ryan Mathews: EDGE Anthony Lucas
Lucas was ranked as the 160th overall prospect on the consensus big board, the sixth-highest rated prospect who wasn’t drafted over last weekend. While the Lions added Derrick Moore in the second round and signed DJ Wonnum in free agency, there’s room for Lucas to make an impression in camp and earn a role.
Brandon Knapp: TE Miles Kitselman
I am once again discussing why tight end is an important part of this team’s offense. If Kitselman can impress enough in training camp, he could be a good player to keep around as a backup or third stringer. While I don’t think Sam LaPorta gets traded, you could argue that Kitselman could fight for as high as the backup role if he excels this season. The Lions could trade away someone like Brock Wright if they believe Kitselman has a role on this team. With the offense adding more 13 personnel to its playbook, the more tight ends, the merrier.
John Whiticar: QB Luke Altmyer
I personally doubt that any undrafted rookies make the 53-man roster this season. That being said, I think Altmyer could make a legitimate impact… in the preseason. As the third quarterback on the roster, Altmyer will undoubtedly get significant snaps in preseason. Jared Goff may not see a single snap, while veteran Teddy Bridgewater does not need many reps himself. That leaves a lot of looks for Altmyer.
Altmyer doesn’t have the athletic potential that Hendon Hooker did, but I actually think he has a higher floor than the former draft pick. Last season, evaluating the offensive depth was impossible because of how poorly Hooker played. If Altmyer plays at a modest level, it will do wonders for evaluating the position battles on offense. It will likely not help Altmyer’s chances of making the team, but it could help another player in turn.
Erik Schlitt: TE Miles Kitselman
Kitselman is an inline/blocking TE-Y who has enough positional versatility and skill to earn a TE4 spot on the Lions’ roster. His above-average run blocking will get him on the field, but his sneaky route running will make him a matchup problem in 13 or 12 personnel groupings.
Al Karsten: DT Aidan Keanaaina
One of the more glaring holes on the roster following free agency and the draft is depth behind Tyleik Williams at nose tackle, especially as his role shifts toward the interior anchor role previously handled by DJ Reader and Roy Lopez last season.
That makes Aidan Keanaaina an intriguing name to watch—and the Lions clearly agree, giving him $300,000 guaranteed to compete for those depth snaps. The former Notre Dame transfer played nearly 1,000 snaps for Cal over the last two seasons, piling up over 100 combined tackles while holding down the picnic basket for the Golden Bears defense.
Keanaaina brings a build and athletic measurables reminiscent of Johnathan Hankins—a sturdy, space-eating interior presence who can hold the point and muddy things up inside. There’s a real path for him to carve out a rotational role behind Williams and push for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Jeremy Reisman: DT Aidan Keanaaina
With the recent losses of Roy Lopez and DJ Reader, the Lions need a big run-stuffer. Oddly, the Lions haven’t really added much of anyone in that department (even Jay Tufele is only 305 pounds and hasn’t played a lot of true nose tackle). Unless the Lions are doing away with that role, Keanaaina has the clearest path to some playing time among this entire class, and the 320-pound defender has plenty of experience there.
