Breaking down the Detroit Lions 2026 UDFA class

Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman (87) hurdles Alabama defensive back Dijon Lee Jr. (5) during a college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. , on Oct.

18, 2025. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In addition to the seven selected players in the 2026 NFL Draft , the Detroit Lions have also added another nine rookies to their roster from the undrafted free agent (UDFA) market. Last season, none of the Lions’ UDFAs made the initial roster, breaking a 15-year streak in which at least one undrafted rookie found a spot on the 53-man roster.

Let’s take a closer look at the players who will be looking to start a new streak in Detroit in 2026. Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois 6-foot-2, 210 pounds Consensus Ranking: 242 Erik’s Rankings: 286 Altmyer began his career at Mississippi but transferred to Illinois after two seasons, finishing his final three years of college in Champaign. Over that time with the Illini, Altmyer was highly decorated, winning 23 of his 35 starts (second-most in team history) and posting a 64.

4% completion percentage, 7,607 passing yards, 57 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, along with 741 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Strengths Pocket passer Progression-based reads West Coast scheme experience Decisive decision maker Reads man and zone coverages well High football IQ Team captain (2025) Gamer — seven game-winning drives Excels as a timing-based passer Delivers with touch Athleticism to buy time — keeps eyes downfield Weaknesses Adequate NFL arm strength — best throwing short and intermediate routes Deep routes lack strength and accuracy Inconsistent accuracy when pressured Footwork underdeveloped Arm slot non-traditional (side-arms throws) Shallow depth in his drop leads to a higher pressure rate Altmyer was a draftable prospect on the consensus board, meaning there were several draft profiles on his skill set. Here are a few excerpts from some of the best: Dane Brugler, The Beast (The Athletic) : “Altmyer is limited in areas but can be a point guard-style passer who distributes the ball quickly and efficiently.