While the Detroit Lions shouldn't feel pressured to be in win-now mode, much of their locked-in talent is hitting their peak and likely ready to compete for a Super Bowl right now.
However, the Lions have added another interesting element to their contending roster headed into the new season: a ton of youth. There are a few rookies projected to start this season, which is quite a difference from how the team has handled rookies in recent seasons. They're expected to contribute immediately to winning.
Ahead of their Week 1 contest at home against the New Orleans Saints, let's take a look at the teams' rookies and how we expect each to fare.
Predicting how each Lions rookie will fare in 2026
Round 1: Blake Miller
Miller is going to be an interesting player to evaluate this season. He's not a skill player, so we can't measure his success based on catches or interceptions or tackles. But, if we're consistently watching Jared Goff in a clean pocket, that'll immediately speak to his success as a rookie tackle.
Thanks to Penei Sewell's flexibility and move to the left side of the line, Miller will be given the runway to get comfortable the first few weeks of the season and establish a rhythm. We predict he'll have a very solid rookie season - maybe not the best from a rookie lineman, but certainly one of the most consistent.
In terms of measurable data, we'll say that Miller will finish up the year with five sacks allowed on the season.
Round 2: Derrick Moore
Moore looked incredible when healthy this offseason, building a ton of hype around the Lions' pass rush for 2026. The key word in that sentence: healthy. Detroit really cannot afford another injury-prone year from someone that's projected to be the future No. 2 to Aidan Hutchinson, and the rookie is already expected to miss some short time due to an injury.
Still, once back, he should be a key part to the Lions' potentially dominant defensive line. We'll predict that he finishes up with five sacks and as one of the teams' best run defenders.
Round 4: Jimmy Rolder
Rolder was also injured throughout training camp and the preseason, but he made the 53-man roster which shows what potential Detroit sees in the rookie linebacker. He had a great minicamp and was exhibiting his potential as a dual threat on special teams and as a backup to Malcolm Rodriguez prior to going down with a tough hamstring injury.
His potential likely lies with his work on special teams for the Lions, especially as a gunner. If he can succeed there and in limited snaps with the defense, that's a win for Rolder and Detroit. We predict he'll be a mainstay for the Lions special teams unit.
Round 5: Keith Abney II
Abney was considered a potential steal in this year's draft, and based on all reports we got from his work in training camp, minicamp, and from seeing him work in preseason, that might be right on the money. The slot corner is arriving at just the right time with Amik Robertson having departed in free agency, and he could be starting right away in the secondary.
A successful season for Abney would look like him racking up a significant number of tackles, potentially a few forced fumbles or interceptions, and a few pass deflections. He is set up for major opportunities this year because of how thin the secondary is. His main competition, Roger McCreary, and his snap count versus his might be another indication of success or failure for Abney.
Round 6: Skyler Gill-Howard
Gill-Howard was probably the best story to come out of training camp and the preseason. The 6th rounder landed on the 53-man roster following a stellar showing in preseason as a bull rusher and run stopper. He's obviously going to be a great weapon for Detroit on 3rd down situations, but he should be utilized even more than that with his skill set.
We predict that Gill-Howard will take a few games to settle into real NFL action, but will end up with 3 sacks, multiple stuffs, a highly-graded year with his run defense, and will be a constant on the Lions' defensive line by the end of the season.
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