If the Detroit Lions are to accomplish every goal for the 2026 season, they will undoubtedly need some serious help from their 2026 rookie class. While Detroit only made two picks in the first three rounds, five players made their 53-man roster, and at least three of them are expected to have a significant-to-major role this season.
Which one of them steps up and elevates the team this year?
Here are our staff’s 2026 Detroit Lions predictions for Rookie of the Year. Vote for your pick at the bottom
of the page.
Previously:
- Offensive MVP predictions
- Defensive MVP predictions
- Breakout Player of the Year
Who will be the Lions’ 2026 Rookie of the Year?
Ryan Mathews: Derrick Moore
Derrick Moore will be the Lions’ rookie of the year in 2026. Detroit traded up to nab Moore in the second round of the draft, so it’s clear they view him as being a difference-maker. His preseason play and performance at training camp certainly allude to Moore being exactly what the Lions needed on their defensive line.
John Whiticar: Blake Miller
I am pleasantly optimistic about this rookie class, and the likes of Derrick Moore, Keith Abney, and Skyler-Gill Howard could make an impact early on. That being said, this is clearly Miller’s award to lose. He is playing a pivotal position on arguably the most important part of this offense, the offensive line. He has both the talent and opportunity to shine as a rookie.
Erik Schlitt: Blake Miller
A day-one starter from the jump, Miller looks like a ready-made NFL right tackle. He’ll make some rookie mistakes this season; that’s all part of the learning process, but I also expect him to be a steady presence on the field and an important catalyst in the run game.
Al Karsten: Blake Miller
The Lions’ pro-ready, athletic, problem-solving first-round rookie right tackle Blake Miller will endure some peaks and valleys early on, but by Halloween, he’ll prove the Lions made a sound investment in their future in the trenches. By then, the offensive line will start to look scary, bludgeoning teams up front and allowing Drew Petzing to play mad scientist with his bevy of skill-position weapons. Miller will emerge as one of the most important stabilizing rookie additions of the Dan Campbell-Brad Holmes era.
Morgan Cannon: Blake Miller
Chalky response here, but the answer to me is rookie right tackle, Blake Miller. He is about as battle-tested as they come after a long and productive career at Clemson, and he has the athletic profile of someone who could really take off once he gets his legs under him as a pro. If he can hold down the right side of the offensive line across from perennial All-Pro Penei Sewell, the Lions will likely feel pretty good about their first-round selection from the 2026 NFL Draft.
Brandon Knapp: Derrick Moore
The only reason is why he edges out Blake Miller for me is because of who else is on the defensive line. Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Tyliek Williams, DJ Wonnum. While that list isn’t elite, you have two solid players in Hutchinson and McNeill. Williams is a young and improving defensive tackle. And Wonnum brings a veteran presence. I think the focus for opposing offensive lines will be focused majorly on the interior and Hutchinson that Wonnum and Moore will get plenty of one on one opportunity that they’ll capitalize on.
Jeremy Reisman: Derrick Moore
No disrespect to Miller—who I expect to have understandable ups and downs his rookie season—but I think Moore could have a greater overall positive impact. Moore happens to play a position where his successes are more impactful and his mistakes easier to hide, and that’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. Regardless, Moore is in a great spot to get on the field early as a pass rushing specialist, and with his supporting cast, I think he could finish his rookie season in the 6-8 sack range.
Anthony Balaj: Blake Miller
While Skyler Gill-Howard and Derrick Moore may come with more big moments and highlights, Miller already is proving to not be a concern for the Lions through the end of training camp. When a rookie offensive tackle can step right into the starting lineup without much of a hiccup, it’s a huge win for the organization.
