POLL: Which Lions roookie are you most excited to see on Friday?

Friday will be many of the Lions players’ first game in the NFL. Whose debut are you itching to see?

There are high expectations for the Detroit Lions’ rookie class. Not only did the Lions have a lot of high draft picks, but their success or failure will be the first significant mark on new general manager Brad Holmes’ permanent record.

Obviously, there is a high expectation for the seventh overall pick in Penei Sewell, but the training camp hype has been around third-round pick Alim McNeill, who has shined as the team’s starting nose tackle. Wide receiver and fourth-round pick Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t far behind on the hype train. He’s been making plays on the field, and his intensity is just completely captivating out there.

Throw in a young, quick linebacker in Derrick Barnes and a running back who’s impressed in camp but may or may not play in the preseason opener, and the Lions’ rookie class is going to be a thrill to watch Friday night against the Buffalo Bills. And I didn’t even mention two other guys.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

What Lions rookie are you most eager to watch on Friday?

My answer: For simplicity’s sake, I’m going to assume that both Jermar Jefferson and Levi Onwuzurike are not playing.

Given that I’ve seen most of these players perform at camp, there likely won’t be too many surprises I see from these players. Obviously, there’s a significant difference between performing with no live tackling against your own guys and playing in a preseason game, but overall, I have a good feeling on most of these guys.

That is, except for Derrick Barnes. He’s only had one day of padded practice in training camp, and he didn’t do much during it. He’s still got the wrapping paper on him, and I can’t wait to see what’s inside. Obviously, he’ll have some struggles early. Any rookie with limited camp practice would, and he’s already coming in fairly raw out of college.

But his athletic traits are tempting, and his film at Purdue is thrilling. I have a feeling the Lions were over-the-moon to get him, and I can’t wait to see what he’s got out there.

Your turn.