Ever since the Detroit Lions have been ran by general manager Brad Holmes, they have valued getting rookie contributors. This has usually meant first-round starters, as expected, but the Lions have also turned later picks into instant impact players. Amon-Ra St. Brown (fourth round, 2021), Kerby Joseph (third round, 2022), Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch (second round, 2023), and Tate Ratledge (second round, 2025) are just some of the non-firsts that have made a mark as rookies.
Some of the rookie listed above did not start from the onset, but by the time the season came to an end, they were entrenched as important parts of the team. Could we see a similar feat for the Lions’ 2026 draft class?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
How many Lions rookies will be starters by the end of 2026?
My answer: Two, Blake Miller and Keith Abney.
Miller is an obvious choice, as the first-round pick is the heavy favorite to start at right tackle as early as Week 1. That being said, Larry Borom is still in contention and if he outperforms Miller in training camp and preseason, he could win a starting role—a spot has to be earned, not given.
My other choice of Abney is more about opportunity. He was the fourth Lion selected in the draft, but as a cornerback with potential to play inside and outside, there is ample opportunity for him to win a starting spot. With the release of Terrion Arnold, the depth chart ahead of Abney is D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw, and Roger McCreary. Reed will undoubtedly start if healthy, but none of Ya-Sin, Rakestraw, or McCreary are guaranteed starters.
Ya-Sin was solid in relief for the Lions last season, but it is worth remembering that he has not been a full-time starter since 2022. Asking the veteran to play at a career-best level across an entire season might be an unrealistic expectation for the 30-year-old.
Unlike Ya-Sin, Rakestraw has age on his side, but he has now battled two significant injuries over his first two seasons and has essentially zero experience on defense. As a former second-round pick, he has the talent to earn a starting role, but he has not earned our benefit of the doubt.
As for McCreary, he seems like the sure-fire starter at nickel, but there is an important rule to remember: follow the money. The Lions signed McCreary to a one-year contract worth just $1.2 million. While this was perceived as a steal for the Lions, it also highlights that the team might not view him as a starter—in contrast, the Lions signed Borom to a one-year, $5 million deal as offensive tackle insurance.
Abney has a lot of players to challenge for a starting role, but he has as good of a chance to impress as they do.
Regarding the other draft selections, the late-round picks of Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West are fighting for a roster spot, let alone a starting spot. Of the two players selected ahead of Abney, I think Derrick Moore has the best chance to become a starter by season’s end, but I also think he may fall victim of the Lions lack of defined “starters” on defense. I expect this team to run a rotation along the defensive line, so while Moore might play a decent number of snaps, he might not start ahead of, say, DJ Wonnum. Jimmy Rolder, meanwhile, not only has to usurp Malcolm Rodriguez as the third linebacker, but he would need to justify being the third linebacker on the field in the first place.
How many rookies will enter the starting lineup by the end of the season? Let us know in the comments below.
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