By admin 
The wait for Detroit Lions training camp is nearly over, as the team’s rookies are set to report on Saturday, with the veterans following on Tuesday. Dan Campbell’s squad will practice for a few weeks before kicking off the preseason on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals on August 13.
Read more Struggling Hunter Brown, hot Sean Burke face off as Astros visit White Sox
During camp, most eyes will be on the position battles and the new-look offense under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. However, fans should also keep tabs on Detroit’s rookie class, which is stacked with promising talent.
Let’s take a look at all the rookies you should be watching at camp starting next week.
OT Blake Miller
Miller was the Lions’ first-round pick in April, and is projected to be a long-term starting piece on the franchise’s offensive line. The 6-foot-6 tackle was a four-year starter for Clemson at right tackle, allowing just two sacks and 14 quarterback pressures with an 83.5 PFF pass-blocking grade during his senior campaign in 2025.
Though Detroit invested a top 20 pick in Miller and envisions him being a consistent starter, he’ll have to earn his stripes in camp. Veteran Larry Borom will push Miller for the starting right tackle spot, as Borom is coming off the best season of his career with the Miami Dolphins in 2025 by starting 11 games and surrendering just two sacks with solid pass-blocking efficiency. He signed a one-year deal with the Lions in March.
Miller is more talented than Borom and should be Detroit’s Week 1 starting right tackle when it’s all said and done, but he needs to stand out at camp to ensure that role.
EDGE Derrick Moore
Moore had a breakout senior season at Michigan in 2025, tallying 10 sacks and 41 quarterback pressures, which led to him being the Lions’ second-round pick.
Entering camp, Moore will be competing with D.J. Wonnum for the starting edge rusher position opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Though Wonnum is an experienced veteran, Moore’s powerful pass-rushing skill set and upside could give him the edge in the camp battle.
LB Jimmy Rolder
Rolder is an ideal fit for Kelvin Sheppard’s defense due to his physicality and tenacious run defense. The fourth-round rookie tallied a PFF run-defense grade of over 80 in each of his final two seasons in college with Michigan, and was a pivotal piece of the Wolverines’ defense.
In camp, Rolder will be looking to carve out a role on special teams and possibly challenge Malcolm Rodriguez for the No. 3 linebacker gig. Rolder is a developmental project, but the 22-year-old should still make an impact for Detroit in 2026.
CB Keith Abney II
Fifth-round pick Keith Abney could see the field earlier than expected for the Lions, as the rookie corner may be called upon to fill the void left by Terrion Arnold, who was cut by Detroit due to ongoing off-the-field legal issues.
Abney was one of the better corners in the country in 2025 at Arizona State, snagging two interceptions and allowing just a 44.4% completion rate and a 46.1 passer rating when targeted, which earned him an 85.3 PFF coverage grade.
Read more George Kittle gives best hint yet at cause of Brandon Aiyuk’s 49ers frustration
Abney will look to win the No. 2 boundary corner job in camp, as he’ll be competing with Rock Ya-Sin and Ennis Rakestraw for the spot.
DT Skyler Gill-Howard
Gill-Howard will be fighting for a roster spot in the Lions’ deep defensive tackle room. The sixth-round pick out of Texas Tech was an effective defender for the Red Raiders in 2025, posting an 88.6 PFF defensive grade before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in October.
Due to his eye-popping athleticism at nearly 300 pounds and immense pass-rushing potential from the interior, Gill-Howard will be an intriguing depth piece on Sheppard’s defense if he ends up making the roster.
DL Tyre West
West was a seventh-round pick and will need a resounding performance in camp to make the team, but his positional versatility should give him a fighter’s chance.
During his collegiate career at Tennessee, West mostly played on the edge, but the 23-year-old can also take snaps on the interior and excel there. West notched 13 defensive stops in 2024 and 2025.
QB Luke Altmyer
Undrafted quarterbacks usually don’t make it to Week 1, but Altmyer has the chance to shock the world in camp. Teddy Bridgewater is currently slated to be the Lions’ backup quarterback behind Jared Goff, and though Bridgewater is a former Pro Bowler with 65 starts under his belt, the 33-year-old has thrown just 15 passes in the last three seasons.
Altmyer provides some much-needed youth and mobility to Detroit’s quarterback room. The 6-foot-1 signal-caller posted 13 rushing touchdowns in five seasons at Illinois and Ole Miss, and consistently made plays with his legs to open up the pass game. Altmyer was also an efficient passer in college, especially in 2025 when he ended the year with a 67.4% completion rate.
If Altmyer takes care of the ball in camp and the preseason, and continues to use his feet to make plays, he could get some looks as the No. 2 quarterback. Bridgewater is still the favorite for the job, but the veteran’s spot isn’t fully secure.
EDGE Anthony Lucas
Lucas wasn’t very productive in college, as he didn’t tally his first college sack until 2025 with USC. However, the 21-year-old possesses an excellent frame at 6-foot-5 and nearly 290 pounds, and Lucas is also an exciting athlete.
With the Lions desperately needing better pass-rush depth in 2026, Lucas will receive the opportunity in camp to earn a roster spot, and there should be a ton of eyes on the undrafted rookie.
Read more American notebook: Tim Pernetti wants G6 access to double if CFP expands
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published July 25, 2026 at 5:07 AM.