The Detroit Lions are well past the midway point of training camp. In fact, roster cutdown day is less than two weeks away, with teams needing to shrink their roster by Sunday, August 30.
For a roster like the Detroit Lions’, the top 40 spots are likely already pretty set. This camp didn’t see many starting jobs up for grabs, and some of the reserve jobs were already pretty locked in, too. However, those niche roles as third stringers or primary special teamers have a ton of competition, and it’s
only heating up as we get deeper into training camp.
There are some obvious names fighting for those roles, but there are a few late-rising sleepers to consider, as well.
So today’s Question of the Day is:
Who is your sleeper pick to make the Lions roster?
My answer: Based on all of the training camp practices I’ve seen, there are four players I would categorize as sleepers who have flashed over the past few weeks and could sneak their way onto the 53-man roster.
WR Tay Martin
The cat is out of the bag already with coach Dan Campbell offering high praise for Martin on several occasions.
“Tay Martin showed up again,” Campbell said after the first preseason game. “Blocking, made a one-on-one catch separated, special teams. He forced a penalty and that was just one play on special teams. He made more than that.”
And now with Martin getting some work with the first-team offense, it’s clear this coaching staff has valued the work he’s put in thus far. I still think he’s a sleeper pick, though, because he was literally No. 90 on our roster rankings last month. For that WR5 or WR6 role, you need to be a special teams standout, and that’s exactly what Martin has done.
EDGE Eric O’Neill
O’Neill has really come on as of recently, and it all culminated in a pick-six during Monday’s scrimmage. The undrafted rookie should still be considered a relative long-shot to make the roster given Detroit’s investments in the edge defender position this offseason, but I would not be surprised to see him land on the practice squad and even possibly get the call-up during the season.
DT Ben Stille
It feels like #62 has appeared in my notes daily over the last week. The Lions are Stille’s sixth NFL team since entering the league as an undrafted rookie in 2022. He’s only played in 18 games and started one, but he’s got some nice twitch to him, and he’s got a knack for getting to the quarterback in these training camp practices. The depth isn’t great at defensive tackle here in Detroit, so he does have a realistic path to the roster if the Lions sour on guys like Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo, and/or Tyre West.
LB Erick Hunter
Hunter went undrafted out of Morgan State this year, and due to the jump in competition in the NFL, coach Campbell said Hunter still “doesn’t know what he doesn’t know.” But he’s a tenacious player, gives relentless effort, and has shown up several times making an impact on special teams. With the Lions’ linebacker room a little beat up right now (no Jimmy Rolder or Damone Clark), Hunter could sneak his way onto the roster.
Which Lions player do you think is a sleeper pick to make the roster? Share your thoughts in the comment section below:
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