The Detroit Lions have made a bold move in the undrafted free agent market, securing defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina with a guaranteed $267,500—a clear vote of confidence in his potential to bolster their defensive line. But what exactly are the Lions getting in this Cal standout, and how does his injury history factor into the equation?

Keanaaina’s journey has been marked by resilience. After tearing his ACL in March 2022, he managed to return for just one game late that season, logging only a few snaps. However, his availability in his final two collegiate years was flawless, which bodes well for his durability moving forward. The key question is whether there was any associated cartilage damage with that ACL injury—if not, the concern level is minimal. The Lions' hefty guarantee suggests their medical staff is confident in his recovery.

Using a medical concern scale from 0 (no concern) to 10 (extreme), Keanaaina’s age—he’ll be 24 at the start of the 2026 season—bumps his rating slightly, but in the UDFA pool, teams can’t afford to be overly picky. Over a six-year college career, he tallied three sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, but his true value lies in his size. At a massive 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, Keanaaina is built to be an anchor in the middle, clogging running lanes and eating up blockers to free up his teammates.

For Lions fans, this signing represents a low-risk, high-upside addition. If Keanaaina can stay healthy, his power and presence could be a steal for a defensive line looking to add depth and grit. Keep an eye on this big man as he fights for a roster spot—his journey from ACL recovery to potential impact player is one worth following.