The Detroit Lions have wrapped up the 2026 NFL draft, finding basically all of their biggest needs within the three days of the draft. While it seems like they basically found everything they needed through the process, there's still an entire class of undrafted players that can now be signed as free agents ahead of camp and the preseason.
Detroit's found some great depth pieces through this process, signing Jackson Meeks last year and still rostering him currently. They could still use some depth pieces at tight end, defensive back, and quarterback to add competition to those thinner groups.
We'll update this post with additional names signed by the team, but as of an hour or so after the draft's conclusion, the Lions have signed two UDFAs to deals.
Lions make slew of moves after 2026 NFL Draft
TE Miles Kitselman signed a deal with the Lions shortly after the draft, per Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated. Kitselman had just 26 receptions in his final year with the Tennessee Volunteers, and picked up 253 receiving yards. NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein projected him as a special teams addition or an average backup.
The Lions also signed USF CB De’Shawn Rucker, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. This adds another player to their DB room. Rucker had 58 total tackles, four passes defended, and one interception in his last year with USF. He had an excellent pro day, which boosted his stock significantly throughout the pre-draft process. Detroit obviously took notice.
At quarterback, the Lions signed Illinois' Luke Altmyer, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, The signal caller finished up his career with the Fightin' Illini with 3,007 passing yards in addition to 22 passing touchdowns, only five interceptions, and a 67.4 completion rate. Detroit needed another person in their QB room after losing Kyle Allen, and this is a good fit.
G Melvin Priestly signed with the Lions following the draft, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Illinois lineman was a top guard in the Big Ten in 2025, finishing up his last year with the program with a 71.5 pass blocking grade and a 65.9 grade overall from PFF. Detroit didn't take any offensive linemen after Day 1 in the draft, so it's nice to see them focus in on that positional group through this UDFA signing.
Per Pelissero, the Lions are also signing linebacker Erick Hunter out of Morgan State. Hunter had 102 tackles last season, which led his team, in addition to 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He also started all 12 games for the team.
CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported that the Lions are bringing on defensive lineman AIdan Keanaaina as a UDFA. The Cal prospect had 101 total tackles last season, and per Zenitz, was an honorable mention All-ACC selection in 2025.
USC edge rusher Anthony Lucas is signing with the Lions, per the Trojans on social media. Lucas didn't really have the production to warrant a pick this year, but he's still a decent signing for Detroit as they look to add competition to a room in need of some depth.
Adding yet another defensive back, the Lions are signing Aamaris Brown out of UNLV, per the team. Brown had 35 solo tackles last season in addition to four interceptions and seven passes defended.
Eric O'Neill, an edge rusher out of Rutgers University, is also signing with the Lions, per the team. O'Neill had 2.5 sacks, one pass defended, and 37 total tackles in 2025. Zierlein wrote of him that he "projects as a viable backup outside linebacker in an odd-front scheme and offers core special-teams value."
We will continue to update this post with more signings as they become official.
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