Pride of Detroit
Which Detroit Lions player do you think will surprise people during training camp this year?
Every year, there seems to be one Detroit Lions player who comes out of nowhere to impress the coaching staff and eventually make the team’s 53-man roster. It’s not always an undrafted rookie, but the Lions do have a pretty miraculous streak of 15 years in which at least one UDFA has made the final roster. Given how strong Detroit’s roster is today, that streak could be threatened this year... but, again, there’s always something unexpected that happens.
There are plenty of recent examples of a non-UDFA player surprising most and making the final 53-man squad. Michael Niese surprised both me and Erik Schlitt last year by making the roster. In 2023, it was Khalil Dorsey—who, under the radar, emerged as a key special teamer. And don’t forget Craig Reynolds, who joined the Lions late in training camp and eventually forged his way onto the roster in 2021—where he remains today.
So who will be this year’s surprise? Today’s Question of the Day is:
My answer: Obviously, this is a really tough question to answer, because if I think they’re good enough to be a surprise, it won’t be a surprise to me.
But I think the one player that may be overlooked and could crack the 53-man roster is UDFA tight end Zach Horton.
For one, there is opportunity at the tight end position. With only Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright locks to make the roster, there is a TE3 job for the taking, and not a ton of competition there. Shane Zylstra is the incumbent and a decent option, but the Lions have made a lot of changes to the depth, and I view that as a sign that they are seeking better competition. Kenny Yeboah is the veteran of the group. He’s built like a linebacker and has a bunch of experience both as a blocker and special teamer.
But there’s one thing Horton brings to the table that the others have not: extensive experience as a fullback. Now, that is something that Zylstra was asked to do sparingly last season, but Horton sporadically did it throughout three years at Indiana. He, too, has never truly done it full-time, but at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds and with a good amount of athleticism, he could fit the bill in Detroit for the part-time role. He also brings that grit to the tight end position as a blocker, which seems to fit the kind of character that new tight ends coach Tyler Roehl will love.
Which Lions player do you think could surprise at training camp this year? Share your pick in the comment section below.
