In addition to the six players chosen in the 2024 draft, the Detroit Lions reportedly acquired 15 rookies to their squad from the undrafted free agent market.
One of the distinguishing features of this year’s UDFA class was general manager Brad Holmes’ apparent tendency to target positions in large groups. In this class, he sought three guys who typically play center, three (perhaps four) hard-hitting, in-the-box defensive backs, and two slot receivers who were former quarterbacks. This dart-throwing strategy differs from what we’ve seen from Holmes in the past, but as the roster grows, it makes sense to target specific areas of need and take multiple chances at filling the hole.
While UDFAs can often appear out of nowhere to impress and compete for a spot on the roster, the Lions’ UDFA class featured three players with draftable grades. So, let’s start with a look at those top prospects before moving on to the remainder of the players added to Detroit’s 90-man roster.
Isaiah Williams, Slot Receiver, Illinois
5’9 1⁄4, 182 pounds.
Contract guarantees: $15,000 signing bonus and a $225,000 contract (source).
Erik’s pre-draft board ranking was 189.
Williams spent his first two seasons at Illinois as a quarterback (one as a redshirt), but as a redshirt sophomore, he shifted to wide receiver and quickly established himself as the team’s starting slot receiver and punt returner. Williams would gradually improve over the next three seasons as he adapted to the position, collecting 214 receptions for 2,304 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, as well as 27 punts for an average of 9.1 yards per return.
In addition to his consistent on-field gains, Williams was a two-time captain who was well recognized as a tough, competitive, and dynamic player. While Williams’ stature and lengthy speed (4.63 seconds, 40-yard sprint at the NFL Combine) are impediments, his agility (6.75 seconds, 3-cone) and explosive game could lead to a career as a gadget player/punt returner in the league.
Steele Chambers, Linebacker, Ohio State
6’1″, 226 pounds.
Pre-draft ranking on Erik’s board: 218.
Chambers entered my pre-Combine linebacker watchlist for the Lions due to his anticipation and read-and-react abilities, particularly against the run. As a former running back, Chambers has a natural feel for the run game, has demonstrated success in filling holes and scraping down the line of scrimmage, and has a great platform to build on. He’s better at zone coverage than man coverage, but he possesses good on-field quickness to match up with tight ends and running backs. His ability to contribute to several facets of special teams will increase his chances of making the Lions roster.
Over the last three seasons, the Lions have retained six off-the-ball linebackers on the active roster, with all of them active on game days for special teams purposes. This offseason, the Lions kept their top five linebackers while losing special teams ace Anthony Pittman to the Commanders. With the new special teams regulations established this offseason, it’s uncertain whether the Lions will keep six linebackers in 2024 or move the final spot to another position. If they replicate this and maintain six, Chambers should have a good chance of making the 53-man roster.
Kingsley Eguakun, C. Florida
6-foot-3 1/2, 304 pounds
Contract guarantees: $20,000 signing bonus and a $225,000 contract (source).
Pre-draft ranking on Erik’s board: 272
With roughly 1,900 snaps at center in three years as a starter, Eguakun is more of a technician-based pivot player than a power-based blocker, and he will most likely need to gain strength before he can compete regularly in the NFL. His strongest characteristics derive from his movements, which include how he uses his hands in both skill and aggression, as well as his ability to pull and work in space. His leadership, scrappiness, and desire to compete will give him a chance to make it in the league, even if his career starts on the practice squad.
Beyond starter Frank Ragnow, the Lions’ depth at center was limited. Graham Glasgow, the starting left guard, has previously taken starter reps at center, but the only other center on the roster was practice squad member Michael Niese. The Lions have recruited three UDFA centers, who will battle alongside Niese for a spot on the practice squad or the 53-man roster. On paper, Eguakun appears to be the early frontrunner for the post.
Let’s look at the remainder of the UDFA class.
Jalon Calhoun, Slot WR at Duke
5’10”, 186 pounds.
Calhoun, like Williams, is a former quarterback turned slot receiver with dubious long speed (4.64 second 40-yard dash), but his in-game quickness allows him to be a gadget contributor and punt returner. Calhoun was a productive five-year starter (COVID awarded him an extra year of eligibility), finishing first or second on the team in receiving yards in each of his Blue Devil seasons.
Isaac Rex (TE, BYU)
6-foot-5 1⁄2, 248 pounds.
Rex is a “move” tight end who was heavily relied on at BYU for his ability to make contested catches, block in space, and gain yards after the catch. Unfortunately for Rex, his total RAS score of 2.43 does not correspond to the “move” tight end position, and his typical run-blocking approach requires development. With the Lions’ top four already determined, he will face a difficult road to making the squad.
Bryan Hudson, C of Louisville
6-foot-5, 300 pounds.
Hudson began his career at Virginia Tech before moving to Louisville in 2021, where he anchored the Cardinals’ zone-based blocking system for the past two and a half seasons. He has spent the majority of his career at center (2696 snaps), although he has also played right (997 snaps) and left guard (21 snaps). While Hudson’s athleticism (8.95 RAS) was showcased in a zone scheme, he has indicated that his favorite aspect of football is run blocking, particularly the gap-based principles added to Louisville this past season—which will undoubtedly aid his transition into the Lions scheme.
Duke Clemens, C. UCLA
6-foot-3 1/2, 302 pounds
Contract guarantees: $10,000 signing bonus and a $50,000 contract (source).
Clemens’ profile is extremely similar to Hudson’s. He has been a starting center for the previous two seasons (2395 snaps), although he has also played guard (left: 519, right: 264 snaps) earlier in his career. He’s also an above-average athleticism for the position (8.58 RAS), which helped him in UCLA’s zone blocking scheme, and he makes good use of his hands to compensate for his lack of power. While he has the majority of his experience in zone blocking, he is also a good puller with the fortitude and mentality to succeed in a gap-blocking scheme.
Nate Lynn, EDGE/DL, William & Mary, is 6-foot-3 and weighs 253 pounds.
Lynn is yet another high-effort edge lineman who wins with his hands, which appears to be a trend. His entire game should be improved, but he was disruptive/productive in college and had the positional range to kick inside in some situations. The Lions liked his game enough to bring him in for a top 30 visit, which will undoubtedly boost his prospects of sticking around.
Isaac Ukwu, EDGE/SAM. Ole Miss: 6’3″, 261 pounds.
Contract guarantees are $35,000 (source).
After a rocky start at James Madison (including two season-ending knee injuries to begin his college career), Ukwu’s work ethic and perseverance helped him establish himself in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He subsequently embraced the opportunity to showcase his abilities on a larger stage by transferring to Mississippi for the 2023 season, where he will play JACK linebacker in Lane Kiffin’s defense.
DaRon Gilbert, LB/SAF from Northern Illinois.
6’1″, 214 pounds.
Gilbert, who attended Brother Rice High School, was a three-year starter at Lafayette (both free and strong safety) before moving to Northern Illinois and became a starting outside linebacker. Gilbert, at 214 pounds, will most likely be a safety for the Lions, but the fact that the Huskies utilized him in the box shows where he may be most effective—covering tight ends/running backs and stopping the run.
Chelen Garnes (SAF, Wake Forest)
5’10”, 199 pounds.
Garnes began his career at Navy, then went to Wake Forest in 2021, taking on a starting role in 2022 and a leadership role in 2023. Garnes performed the “ROVER” role for Wake Forest, roving the middle of the field and dropping to linebacker level to run the alley or cover along the seam. Based only on his stats, you’d think he was small for the role, but he’s totally shredded and hits like he appears.
Loren Strickland, Ball State’s SAF, is 5’9″ and weighs 199 pounds.
Strickland began his career at the University of Indianapolis, where he was the conference’s freshman defensive player of the year and sophomore captain before transferring to Ball State in 2022. Strickland, another downhill safety, is a strong tackler who can hit and is most likely best suited to play near the box.
Morice Norris (NB), Fresno State
5’10”, 181 pounds.
Norris began his career at community college before moving on to Fresno State, where he earned a starting nickelback position in 2022. He has some experience playing on the outside and at safety, but his greatest fit in the NFL appears to be as a nickelback. Norris, like the other defensive backs in this UDFA class, enjoys hitting and can be quite disruptive against the run or when blitzing from the slot—he had 3.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 11 pressures in 2023.
James Turner, K. Michigan
6’0″, 190 pounds.
The Lions, once again, want to have a camp competition at kicker, and after re-signing Michael Badgley this offseason, they’ve brought in Turner as his first level of competition. Turner began his career at Louisville before transferring to Michigan to replace 49ers 2023 third-round pick Jake Moody. Turner helped the Wolverines capture a National Championship in 2023 by making 18-of-21 (85.7%) field goal attempts and 65-of-66 extra points (a Michigan record). Turner struggled to kick from distance at Louisville, but he converted three of his four 50-yard attempts at Michigan.
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