Edge Rusher Anthony Lucas
Training camp opens next Monday and the 53-man roster is not close to locked down. Depth is thin at edge rusher, tight end, defensive tackle, and linebacker, which means there are real opportunities for guys no one is talking about yet.
Start with undrafted rookie Anthony Lucas. The question at OTAs and mandatory minicamp was not whether he could play, it was how the hell did this guy go undrafted? He has the size. He has the length and wingspan. He checks boxes the Lions typically look for in an edge-setting run stuffer with pass rush ability.
The answer is consistency. Sometimes he dominates against the run and vanishes as a pass rusher. Other times he flashes off the edge but struggles to set it. He has not put it all together yet, and that is why he went undrafted.
But I look at him and see a rotational edge who can get snaps and do real work. Think John Cominsky. Not a star, but someone who fits what Detroit does and contributes when his number is called.
Tight End Zach Horton
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 it in college, 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 more. I need to see what he looks like at training camp and in preseason action. But there is something there.
Making the roster would require Detroit to carry four tight ends. That means someone currently projected to make it would have to shockingly not make it. It is an outside chance, but I think he has one.
Defensive Tackle Myles Adams
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.
There are two routes here. Either Adams 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 the defensive line is not deep. 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. Detroit does not have a true nose tackle beyond Williams, and Adams could fill that role.
Linebacker Erick Hunter
Hunter is the undrafted free agent out of Morgan State who got substantial guaranteed money from Detroit. That says the Lions are intrigued, but guaranteed money for UDFAs has never been a guarantee of a roster spot.
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 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 of these under-the-radar guys are you most excited to see at training camp, and who am I sleeping on? Drop your take below.
