Four Names No One Is Talking About Who Could Actually Make This Roster
Training camp opens next Monday at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park. The 53-man roster is not set. It never is, not really, but this year there are real depth questions at edge rusher, tight end, defensive tackle, and linebacker that could open doors for guys most of us are not even thinking about yet.
These are not stars. Let’s be honest about that upfront. These are not future Pro Bowlers. These are rotational pieces, practice squad hopefuls, camp darlings who might just stick because they do one or two things well enough to matter. But in a league where roster spots 48 through 53 can swing playoff games, well, these guys matter.
Anthony Lucas, Edge Rusher
Of all the undrafted free agents in camp, Lucas might have the best shot to make this team. The question at OTAs and minicamp was always the same: how the hell did this guy not get drafted?
He has the size. He has the length. He has the wingspan Brad Holmes loves. He has the profile of a big edge-setting run stuffer who can also rush the passer, which is exactly what this defense needs.
The reason he went undrafted is consistency. Sometimes he dominates against the run and disappears as a pass rusher. Sometimes he flashes rushing the quarterback and gets washed out setting the edge. He has not put it all together yet, and that is a real concern.
But I look at him and see a rotational edge in the mold of John Cominsky. A guy who comes off the bench, gets some snaps, and gets things done without needing to be a star. That has value. That can stick.
Zach Horton, Tight End
Horton was an undrafted rookie last year who spent most of the 2025 season on the practice squad and got just a tiny bit of playing time. What stands out is his blocking ability. He showed in college that he can be a quality blocker, and on paper, his blocking upside is better than Brock Wright and better than Tyler Conklin. He can also play fullback.
I need to see him on the field more. I need to see what he looks like at training camp and in preseason action. But I see something in him.
Making the roster would require the Lions to carry four tight ends, and somebody would have to shockingly not make it. It is an outside chance. But I feel like he has one.
Myles Adams, Defensive Tackle
Adams has been with the Lions since the 2024 season, when he came in after Thanksgiving during the injury crisis. He played against Green Bay in the second matchup and had a big run stuff against Josh Jacobs. In 2025, he played a little bit, and when he was out there, he played fine.
Dan Campbell has brought him up multiple times for how well he performs in practice. That matters. Campbell does not waste words on guys he does not believe in.
There are two routes for Adams. Either he becomes a rotational nose tackle off the bench, or he becomes a Chris Smith type where the coaching staff just likes you and you are going to be part of this team no matter what. Part of me thinks the Lions are waiting for him to check a couple more boxes before they give him a roster spot.
The interior of this defensive line is not deep right now. Tyliek Williams, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, and Skyler Gil-Howard are the only four guys I feel somewhat sure about. Beyond that, there is an opening. The Lions do not have a true nose tackle beyond Williams, and Adams could fill that role.
Erick Hunter, Linebacker
Hunter is the undrafted free agent out of Morgan State who got some substantial guaranteed money from Detroit. That says the Lions are intrigued, but guaranteed money for undrafted players has never been a guarantee of a roster spot. It just means they see something worth developing.
The linebacker room is mostly set with Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jimmy Rolder, and Malcolm Rodriguez. Beyond those four, I think it is open. Damone Clark has a chance to take a role, and Trevor Nowaske has been that Sam linebacker. But after that, if Hunter can come out and have a strong training camp and show up well in situational football during the preseason, he has a real chance to knock off either Clark or Nowaske or both.
I have the Lions carrying six linebackers into the season, and I absolutely believe Hunter could be that sixth guy. For him, it comes down to situational football and what he can do on special teams. That is going to be his key to making this team.
Which one of these guys do you think actually makes it? Or are we all just setting ourselves up for disappointment when Brad Holmes goes chalk and keeps the usual suspects? Drop your take below.
