Erick Hunter Is FLASHING — But Will He Make The Lions 53-Man Roster?

Dave Fipp’s warning explains why Erick Hunter’s big-play potential may not be enough to earn a spot on Detroit’s 53-man roster.

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Allen Park—Erick Hunter has become one of the easiest rookies to notice in Lions camp. And I still don’t think he makes the 53-man roster.

That probably sounds strange considering how often Hunter’s name has come up over the last three weeks. He’s made plays on defense. He’s made plays on special teams. Dan Campbell has talked about him. Dave Fipp has talked about him.

But what Fipp said today may actually explain why Hunter is more likely headed to the practice squad than the active roster.

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Dave Fipp on special teams & Erick Hunter

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That’s the evaluation with Hunter right now. The plays jump out, and so do the mistakes.

For an undrafted rookie linebacker trying to take a roster spot primarily through special teams, consistency may be more important than producing two or three highlight plays during practice.

WHO IS HUNTER?

Hunter came to Detroit from Morgan State, where production was never the issue.

He finished his college career with 298 tackles, second-most in school history.

His final season was outstanding.

• 102 tackles.

• 14 tackles for loss.

• Four sacks.

• Four forced fumbles.

• An interception.

He was a Buck Buchanan Award finalist and earned FCS All-American honors.

Hunter also already had legitimate special-teams experience. One of his biggest plays in 2025 was a 90-yard touchdown after recovering a blocked kick.

Physically, there was enough there for Detroit to take a serious developmental swing.

He’s around 6-foot-2, 224 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wingspan, and he ran approximately 4.48.

Detroit also gave him $175,000 guaranteed as an undrafted free agent, which tells you this wasn’t just another body brought in for camp. The Lions wanted him, and once camp started, you could see why.

HUNTER'S CAMP

Early in camp, Hunter absolutely ran through veteran Joe Bachie during a special-teams drill. Then on the same day, he put himself in position for an interception—and dropped it.

That sequence almost perfectly describes his camp.

A few days later, Hunter intercepted Jared Goff during a scrimmage against the first-team offense.

During special teams that same practice, he won consecutive one-on-one reps—one as the blocker and another trying to release downfield.

Then he followed that by continuing to flash as a blitzer, including a clean A-gap sack during another padded practice.

VS BENGALS

The Cincinnati game gave Detroit its first chance to evaluate whether any of those practice moments translated. Hunter played a lot.

43 defensive snaps—61 percent of Detroit’s defensive plays. Another 12 snaps on special teams. He finished with four solo tackles.

Detroit didn’t hide him. They gave him enough work to make an evaluation. And I came away seeing exactly what Campbell and Fipp have been describing.

• There’s an NFL athlete here.

• There’s pursuit speed.

• There’s length.

• There’s natural ability to find the football.

• There’s enough coverage ability to develop.

• And there’s clearly something Fipp likes on special teams.

But Hunter is making an enormous jump from Morgan State to the NFL.

Campbell said something about Hunter before the Bengals game that I think is critical.

He essentially said Hunter’s deficiencies come from things he simply hasn’t experienced yet.

(Hunter) “doesn’t know what he doesn’t know.”

That isn’t an insult, it’s development.

Hunter played 45 college games, but the NFL is giving him formations, blocking schemes, leverage rules, coverage responsibilities and special-teams situations he hasn’t processed at this speed before.

THE ROOM

Look at the linebacker room he has to beat for a spot on the roster.

• Jack Campbell.

• Derrick Barnes.

• Devin White.

• Trevor Nowaske.

• Malcolm Rodriguez.

• Damone Clark.

Several of those guys also have established special-teams value (Clark, Nowaske & Rodriguez) and they can all play a defined role on defense.

Hunter isn’t trying to just beat out the other rookie (Jimmy Rolder) for the sixth linebacker job. He’s trying to convince Dan Campbell that his upside today is worth more than the reliability of an experienced player.

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ROCK’S READ

So today, my projection is simple:

I don’t think he’s there yet, and that doesn’t mean Detroit should give up on him. Actually, I think the opposite.

Give him a year in an NFL strength program. Give Shaun Dion Hamilton and Kelvin Sheppard a full season to develop his recognition and technique. Let Fipp continue developing him on every special-teams unit.

The plays Hunter is making aren’t accidental. The talent is real. The consistency isn’t there yet. Erick Hunter does not make the initial 53. But he absolutely makes my practice squad.

If Detroit gets him through waivers, he could become one of those developmental players we’re talking about very differently a year from now.

QUESTIONS

• What would you do?

• Would you keep Hunter on the 53 based on the upside?

• Or do you risk waivers and try to develop him on the practice squad?

• Who would you cut to keep Hunter?

Let me know in the comments.

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• Training Camp Day 2 Observations

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• Detroit Lions Roster Shakeup Day 1

• Brutal Test For Lions Safety Room

• Brad Holmes Mastering Of The NFL Draft

• NFC North Index Rankings

• Detroit Lions minicamp 13 stories

• Brad Holmes plays it smart

• The Detroit Lions have something

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