3 Under-the-Radar Lions to Watch at Training Camp
· Yahoo Sports
As Detroit Lions training camp gets underway at the end of July, plenty of attention will be focused on the team’s biggest stars. All eyes will be on quarterback Jared Goff, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and the rest of Detroit’s core players as the team prepares for the 2026 season.
However, training camp is about much more than the stars. It is where roster spots are won, starting jobs are earned and young players begin to establish themselves. With several key position battles taking shape, a handful of lesser-known players could end up playing major roles this season.
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Here are three under-the-radar Lions worth watching throughout training camp.
Keith Abney
Keith Abney’s importance has increased dramatically following the Lions’ decision to release former first-round pick Terrion Arnold. The fifth-round rookie now enters training camp with a legitimate opportunity to compete for a starting role at outside cornerback.
Abney impressed throughout the pre-draft process with his physical play, instincts and ability to make plays on the football. While fifth-round picks are rarely expected to contribute immediately, the Lions’ current depth at cornerback gives him a realistic path to meaningful snaps.
Training camp will be Abney’s first chance to prove he can handle NFL receivers on a consistent basis. If he performs well during practices and preseason games, he could quickly emerge as one of the biggest steals of Detroit’s 2026 draft class.
Blake Miller
Few position battles will receive more attention than right tackle, where first-round pick Blake Miller is expected to compete for the starting job.
Detroit selected Miller to help strengthen an offensive line that struggled at times last season. His combination of size, athleticism and experience made him one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the draft, but earning a starting role as a rookie is never guaranteed.
Training camp will provide the first real look at how quickly Miller can adjust to NFL competition. His ability to protect Goff and create running lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs will be closely evaluated throughout camp.
If Miller wins the starting job before Week 1, it would represent a major step toward rebuilding one of the league’s premier offensive lines.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
With Arnold no longer on the roster, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. suddenly finds himself with an opportunity to finally establish himself as an NFL starter.
Entering his third season, Rakestraw has appeared in just eight games during his first two years due to injuries and inconsistent availability. As a result, the Lions still do not know exactly what they have in the former second-round pick.
This training camp could ultimately determine his future with the organization. A strong performance would put him firmly in the mix for a starting cornerback job and help validate the investment Detroit made in him. On the other hand, another disappointing camp could leave the Lions searching for other answers in the secondary.
With the competition at cornerback wide open, Rakestraw has one of the biggest opportunities on the roster. How he responds could have a significant impact on Detroit’s defense heading into the 2026 season.