Lions 2026 UDFA: Melvin Priestly, OG/OT
Priestly adds a perfect reliability record to the offensive trenches
The Lions added medically-clean OG/OT, Melvin Priestly, as an undrafted free agent (UDFA). He joins his Illinois teammate, QB Luke Altmyer, as they both try to earn backup roles on the offense.
Priestly stands 6’ 4” and weighs 315 lbs which makes him the right size to work the interior offensive line.
Below is the medical report for Priestly. For a full health assessment of the 2026 rookie class, visit my Lions 2026 draftees + UDFA page.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 10 (extreme).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Melvin Priestly, OG/OT (22-23?) - Illinois
Matt Miller’s #474 overall player.
Medical Concern Level: 0/10
2025: 13/13 games. Missed a few plays with left knee injury in Game 1.
2024: 13/13 games. Briefly injured during 1 game but returned to the game.
2023 (Grambling State): 11//11 games
2022: 11/11 games
Priestly has a perfect record of availability (48 straight games) throughout his four college years. There were only a couple, very-brief injuries noted. His age is uncertain but is not expected to be advanced.
After two years playing LT at Grambling State, he moved to RT for his two years at Illinois. That versatility, along with his excellent reliability, could help him make the roster.
It’s possible his future in the NFL will be on the inside though. If so, he joins a large IOL group that includes Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs, and Ben Bartch, who all might be competing for the LG spot. Given the injury concerns of that group, it’s may turn out to be a smart move adding a clean player in Priestly.
For the medical concern level of the Lions 1st Round OT ironman…