4 candidates to become the Detroit Lions’ Camp Darling at 2026 training camp
Detroit Lions training camp always produces a fan favorite. Here are four players Lions fans are going to fall in love with this summer.
The Detroit Lions open training camp next week, and before the pads come on, it’s worth identifying the players who could capture the fanbase’s imagination this summer. Every year, Lions fans latch onto a Camp Darling. You know the type. He’s the guy performing well in camp who everyone decides is going to make the 53-man roster, become a starter, and change the franchise forever. In the past, players like Dylan Drummond, Matt Willis, Carmen Messina, Kellen Moore, Isaiah Williams, and Jackson Meeks have all filled that role. So who’s next? Here are four candidates who could become Detroit’s Camp Darling in 2026.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer
For starters, let’s talk about the undrafted rookie quarterback who is already generating a ton of hype coming out of OTAs and minicamp. Luke Altmyer has drawn some comparisons to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in terms of play style, but Lions fans might want to temper their expectations there. It’s very hard to see a scenario where something like Purdy’s rise can be recreated.
I do think Altmyer has a chance to make the 53-man roster, but as a No. 3 quarterback. Not a No. 2, and definitely not a starter over Jared Goff. If you’re thinking there’s going to be some sort of quarterback controversy in Detroit, that is not happening. But I could see it now: Altmyer has a good preseason game, Goff throws his first interception during the regular season, and there will be Lions fans calling for the team to bench Goff and see what Altmyer has. You know it’s going to happen.
The ceiling here is Altmyer making the Lions consider carrying three quarterbacks instead of two. If he plays well enough, they might have to just to protect him from going anywhere. I think he’s a career backup who’s going to be around for a long time, but I need to see a lot more before calling him a starter. Just because he looked good in OTAs and minicamp doesn’t mean a whole lot when he’s going up against no pass rush and no pressure whatsoever.
Edge rusher Anthony Lucas
Next up is Anthony Lucas, the edge rusher out of USC. I have him making the 53-man roster on my pre-training camp projection, and I’m genuinely surprised he wasn’t taken in the sixth or seventh round. Lions fans are going to love this kid because of the athleticism and body size he brings to the table. He’s big, he’s long, and he’s got a wide wingspan. He’s the kind of guy who envelops players when he tackles them and wraps up well.
The issue with Lucas in college was consistency. There were stretches where you wondered if he could put it all together. Sometimes he’d be good at stopping the run but struggle as a pass rusher, and other times the opposite. Everyone’s waiting for him to combine those skills. If he can do that this summer, Lions fans are going to be all over him. At this point, I have him making the roster over seventh-round pick Tyree West and depth candidate Payton Turner.
Linebacker Erick Hunter
Erick Hunter, the linebacker out of Morgan State, got a lot of attention after the draft because the Lions paid him well for an undrafted free agent in terms of guaranteed money. He’s a do-all type of linebacker who can play the weakside role and maybe even the Sam linebacker spot. I’m interested in watching what he does at training camp.
Who doesn’t love that underdog story? The small school, HBCU player comes out of nowhere and finds a spot on an NFL roster. It doesn’t happen every day. Lions fans are going to be super invested in seeing where he goes and what he’s able to do.
Cornerback Nick Whiteside
The last player on this list is Nick Whiteside, who actually played a game for the Lions last season against Tampa Bay. He logged 40 snaps in that game and played well, then saw just 11 snaps the rest of the season. Now he’s back, and with Terrion Arnold no longer on the roster, this cornerback room is wide open.
It’s assumed, and rightfully so, that Rock Ya-Sin will be the new starting corner if Detroit doesn’t go out and find somebody else. But after that, there’s a spot available. Khalil Dorsey, Whiteside, De’Shawn Rucker, and Aamaris Brown are all going to be fighting for it. I’m not saying I think Whiteside can start, because I don’t, but I do think he could net a roster spot and be part of a rotation. Lions fans are already interested in seeing if he can pull it off. We’ll see what happens.
Detroit Lions News