So far in Detroit Lions training camp, we've gotten quite little about the impact being made by rookies this year. That does, however, feel like a good thing - you want your rookies to be grinding out wins in camp, and to be focused on finding their roles within a brand new system.
While injuries have impacted the class in some ways, most of the teams' rookies have been able to participate fully in training camp with the teams' August 13 clash against the Cincinnati Bengals right around the corner.
That game is going to have a huge magnifying glass over it for a variety of reasons: rookies are always fun to watch get starters snaps in these "meaningless" contests, the Lions will be getting their first swing at playing through offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's script, and fans will get a chance to see if Detroit has hit some nails on the head through this draft.
Here is where Lions rookies stand so far through one week of training camp, and ahead of one more week of preparation prior to that first preseason game.
Lions rookie stock report
Blake Miller
Miller is being sharpened by one of the best edge rushers in the league in Aidan Hutchinson throughout camp, and that's a great thing for the rookie's development. The first round pick is expected to compete for the starting right tackle job against Larry Borom, a veteran hungry for another shot at a starting role with a contender.
Some camp notes compiled by LionsOnSI's John Maakaron seem to indicate that Miller's footwork has a ways to go against the bull rush and spin moves that Hutchinson has to offer in camp, but there's no better way to get better than to be thrown into the fire with first team reps like this. Otherwise, we haven't heard anything too troubling about his development.
Overall, the Lions' offensive line seems about 90% set - Miller figuring things out would make it feel the most complete its been since 2024.
Verdict: Miller is coming along, and needs more time to settle in against NFL linemen.
Derrick Moore
Moore has unfortunately become victim to the injury bug that seems to be plaguing the Lions each year. He's dealing with a "minor strain," per The Athletic's Colton Pouncy, so he'll be out for a week or so. That stinks for a rookie who was on track to get some reps in a preseason game.
Moore, otherwise, has been having a solid camp. It was noted by Pouncy last Friday that he'd been winning his 1-on-1 reps, and had a pressure during the team period of camp. Like Miller, Moore is going to need a grace period to adjust to NFL speed, but injuries make it hard to get into a groove if you're a rookie.
Verdict: Moore is on the right track, but has to stay healthy to compete for starting EDGE2 job.
Jimmy Rolder
After a solid minicamp and OTAs, Rolder finds himself even worse off injury-wise. The linebacker suffered a hamstring injury at the tail end of week one of training camp, and he's expected to be out for "a while," per Pouncy. It explains the Lions' signing of veteran linebacker Devin White as a response.
With White now in the mix, Rolder has to hope to get back on the field sooner rather than later. The LB competition is already tight outside of Jack Campbell heading into the season. As noted by head coach Dan Campbell, though, his injury is not a "season ender."
"It's unfortunate for all the rookies though, I mean, these reps are valuable, man. You miss valuable, valuable time, but it also is what it is. So, good news is that, like I said, with (Moore), it won't be too long. For Rolder, it's a little unfortunate, but at the same time, it's not a season-ender. So that's good news."
Verdict: Rolder has promise as a strong tackler and defender against the pass, but can't showcase that while injured. Now, he could be on the bubble thanks to White signing.
Keith Abney II
All indications point to Abney having quite an up and down start to training camp, which is kind of expected from a rookie cornerback. The team is trying him out at the slot and on the outside, and it sounds like he's making strides in both positions throughout camp. Pride of Detroit's Al Karsten noted in his camp takeaways from Monday that Abney looked poised with the third team defense, getting his hands on the ball multiple times in red-zone situations.
He's got a ways to go to try and even breathe down the neck of Rock Ya-Sin for the starting CB2 job, but perhaps a shorter ways to go to earn a spot as their second-string nickel - or even their first team nickel.
Verdict: Abney is hitting the right notes in camp, and is solidifying himself as a decent backup option in the Lions' secondary.
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Skylar Gill-Howard
Gill-Howard has not stood out very strongly in camp. The 6th rounder lost multiple reps earlier this week in 1-on-1's against offensive linemen, and that's not a great sign with so many key defensive linemen returning for the Lions (Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo, Tyler Lacy, etc.).
His destiny may be the Lions' practice squad, but that's no failure - he was taken later in the draft for a reason, and there's no shame in needing more development than someone like Moore, who was taken far earlier in the draft.
Verdict: Gill-Howard's projected landing spot prior to the draft was on a teams' practice squad. That seems to be his destiny for the Lions.
Tyre West
Similarly to Gill-Howard, West is not having a very stand-out camp performance. It's, once again, very tough for rookie defensive linemen to stand out at all in Lions camp with so many returning faces coming in to compete with fresh legs and NFL experience under their belts. Preseason and camp will be huge for him and Gill-Howard, but it seems like both might struggle to land a spot on the 53-man roster.
Verdict: Like Gill-Howard, West might be best served as a practice squad member with the Lions.
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