This Lions coaching staff, as currently constructed, is always willing to give undrafted free agents a chance.
Jack Fox, Jerry Jacobs, Brock Wright and Matt Nelson, among others, have managed to crack the 53-man roster and prove their worth during the Dan Campbell era. Of course, the Lions are a better team now, mostly because their roster is better. That could make it more challenging for the 2023 UDFAs to crack the 53. But there’s value in turning over every stone, ensuring that you’re giving talented players a fair shake — because they just might surprise you.
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Here’s a look at the 14 UDFAs the Lions have signed.
Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim
In terms of players with a realistic chance to make the roster, Ibrahim has to rank at or near the top. The Minnesota product rushed for 4,668 yards and 53 TDs in his career — including 1,665 yards and 20 TDs this past season. The Lions reportedly gave him $100,000 guaranteed, a sign that they think highly of him. Considering how productive he was at Minnesota, and how he was given a draftable grade by some outlets, there’s a path in which Ibrahim cracks the 53-man roster — or at least sticks around on the practice squad. He’s a tough, physical back who makes up his mind in a hurry and runs with power. Teams can find roles for guys like that.
Excerpt from Dane Brugler’s “The Beast”: “Ibrahim stays behind his square, low pads, and his run balance eliminates gimmes for would-be tacklers, forcing defenders to wrap and finish him to the ground. He senses when the sea is about to part but doesn’t have the fluid hips or run-away gear to escape high-level pursuit. Overall, Ibrahim doesn’t have desired elusiveness or explosion as an NFL runner, but teams looking for a physical, no-nonsense presence in the run game will appreciate his decisiveness, vision and power. He will need the right fit to secure a backup role on an NFL depth chart.”
UAB CB Starling Thomas V
One of the early favorites to stick around, it’s a bit of a surprise Thomas went undrafted. Brugler gave him a fifth-round grade, which suggests the Lions are getting excellent value with this signing. The first thing that stands out about Thomas is his long speed. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and it shows on tape. He can close ground in a hurry and stick with faster receivers, and showed a knack for being around the ball, with 25 passes defended in his final 26 games. He lacks ideal length and height, which could limit him to a nickel-only role. He’ll also need to be wary of penalties (flagged 22 times in his final three seasons). But if he can add value on special teams in addition to that, he has a chance.
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Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Thomas displays the explosive acceleration and fluid movement skills desired at the position in the NFL. He gets his hands on plenty of footballs but needs to turn more of those breakups into interceptions and dial back his leaning mid-route, which allows receivers to become unglued at break points. Overall, Thomas lacks ideal height/length and needs to add more discipline to his scrappy style, but he has high-level speed and twitchy cover skills with the toughness to match. He has the skill set to play both outside and at the nickel.”
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Notre Dame S Brandon Joseph
Joseph was once considered a draftable prospect. He was a consensus All-American at Northwestern following his redshirt freshman season, but he couldn’t quite maintain that level of play the next few years and upon transferring to Notre Dame. Joseph showed some good ball skills with 10 interceptions over the course of his career, but his lack of speed (4.62 40 at the combine and a 4.69 40 at his pro day) and issues with missed tackles (22 in 2021) don’t work in his favor. His best value might come on special teams.
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “In coverage, Joseph shows range to reach his landmarks in deep zones or attack plays in the flat, but his ball skills are not as impressive as his career interception total would suggest. Though he’s made improvements in the run game, he is prone to reckless tendencies and hasn’t been a secure, open field tackler. Overall, Joseph works well from his centerfield perch to read and put himself in position to make plays, but his lack of explosive traits and inconsistent technique will be more noticeable versus NFL competition. He projects as a potential backup and special-teamer.”
Baylor OL Connor Galvin
Galvin was a rare five-year starter at Baylor, starting six games as a true freshman and proving to be a steadying presence at left tackle during his time in Waco. His size is notable: He’s 6 feet, 7 inches, and moves well at that height. He has swing tackle potential, though his best fit in the NFL might be guard due to his lack of length (32 3/8-inch arms).
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Galvin is efficient off the ball to reach his landmarks and position his blocking angles. He looks to get his hands involved, but he will struggle to combat powerful and long-armed rushers who can disrupt his rhythm when his timing isn’t perfect. Overall, Galvin doesn’t have desired length or play strength for the NFL level, lowering his margin for error, but his foot quickness and hand technique will be attractive for zone-based schemes.”
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Kansas State QB Adrian Martinez
Fans of Big Ten football might remember Martinez from his days at Nebraska. The dual-threat QB spent his final year at Kansas State, and though the overall team success was better, Martinez was outplayed by fellow QB Will Howard. Still, his value comes as a dual-threat QB, which is something the Lions have lacked. Maybe he can stick around on the practice squad to give the defense a look when facing mobile QBs.
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Martinez is a decent-sized athlete to move the pocket or use his legs to pick up chunk yardage (45 rushing touchdowns). He is a creative passer with an adequate arm, but his ball placement and timing lack precision, often because of spotty vision and a failure to make on-schedule decisions. Overall, Martinez has the physical tools and toughness to earn looks from NFL teams, but he must develop more consistency as a passer.”
Are the Lions penciling Hendon Hooker in as the starter next year? Or the year after?
That all depends on Jared Goff, @colton_pouncy writes.
Answering your questions about Detroit's future:
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) May 9, 2023
NC State DT Cory Durden
Durden, a multiyear starter at NC State, attended the East-West Shrine Bowl after his final season, hoping to earn himself a closer look. The Lions invested a lot of time in that showcase, which resulted in the selections of their final three draft picks. Though Durden went undrafted, Detroit likely had its eye on him there. The defensive tackle has a long frame and projects as a nose tackle, but he misses far too many tackles. With the Lions drafting Brodric Martin and re-signing Isaiah Buggs, there might not be a role for him. Perhaps on the practice squad.
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Durden has a long, workable frame with the foot quickness to elude blockers and attack gaps, despite body tightness that leads to missed backfield tackles. He displays a leveraged, upward strike with his heavy hands to shock, press and find the ball carrier. But excessive leaning and technique that seems to come and go leaves him on the ground too much. Overall, Durden flashes disruptive qualities when all cylinders are firing, but he needs to improve his overall consistency to warrant an extended look in the NFL.”
Illinois LB Isaac Darkangelo
If you play defense for Illinois these days, you just might get an NFL look. Kerby Joseph, Devon Witherspoon, Sydney Brown and Quan Martin have all been drafted in recent years, and while Darkangelo didn’t join them, he still managed to catch the attention of an NFL team. So, then, how did he do it? Probably not with his size. Darkangelo is undersized (6 feet). But his background is intriguing. A Detroit native who began his career at Division II Northern Michigan, Darkangelo has had to fight and claw for everything. He joined Illinois’ roster as a walk-on and went on to lead the team in tackles. There are some shades of Malcolm Rodriguez in his game. He’ll need to prove his value on special teams to make the roster. But he’s one to watch.
Oregon WR Chase Cota
It didn’t take long for the Lions to reach a deal with Cota, the son of former NFL safety Chad Cota. After beginning his career at UCLA, Cota transferred to Oregon for his final season, catching 36 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns. He has good size and decent speed, running a 4.5 40. His relative athletic score of 9.34 stands out — particularly his agility and explosion numbers. Could he stick around as a practice squad member? Detroit could use some extra bodies. Cota’s cousin, Brady Breeze, is a current Lions safety.
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Virginia WR Keytaon Thompson
Thompson’s calling card is his size. At nearly 6-5, he has a massive frame and catch radius that makes him an appealing outside target. He had 53 catches for 579 yards in 2022 and 78 catches for 990 yards in 2021. As we mentioned, the Lions could use some extra bodies at wide receiver, so maybe one of Cota or Thompson can stick around.
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UCF OT Ryan Swoboda
Swoboda has an interesting backstory. Early on at Virginia, Swoboda suffered exertional heatstroke and was placed in a medically induced coma for three days. After recovering, Swoboda continued pursuing football, and years later, finds himself getting a taste of the NFL.
After a productive career at Virginia, Swoboda transferred to UCF in hopes of proving to scouts he could perform in a run-heavy scheme. It wasn’t enough to get him drafted, and his athletic limitations could ultimately hurt him, but he earned an opportunity thanks to his 6-9 frame, long arms and wingspan.
USF C Brad Cecil
Another five-year starter along the offensive line, Cecil was a mainstay at center for the Bulls. He also left his mark away from football, raising more than $425,000 in NIL funds through a program called “Big Man Big Heart” to help a 7-year-old boy battling leukemia. On top of that, Cecil was a three-year captain and was honorable mention All-AAC in 2022.
Notre Dame DT Chris Smith
A Detroit native who began his career at Harvard before transferring to Notre Dame, Smith combines brains and brawn. At Notre Dame’s pro day, he benched 225 pounds 37 times — a total that would’ve ranked second at the NFL combine. He was a rotational defensive tackle for Notre Dame, responsible for 17 tackles in 265 defensive snaps. While he lacks ideal length, the Lions will give the local kid a look.
Saginaw Valley State LB Trevor Nowaske
Nowaske, a Michigan native who attended Salem High School, is a lesser-known prospect, but he tested very well — earning a relative athletic score of 9.86 with elite grades in agility and speed categories. He recorded 98 tackles, 9 1/2 tackles for a loss and four interceptions in his final season. Given his athleticism and short-area quickness, Nowaske is worth keeping an eye on.
Akron edge Zach Morton
One of the rare prospects who isn’t even mentioned in “The Beast,” Morton is another Detroit native. The Cass Tech product initially signed with Syracuse, but appeared in just six games with the Orange. That prompted a move to Akron, where he played in 21 games the past two seasons, recording 61 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and 5 1/2 sacks. The Lions are pretty deep at edge, so we’ll have to see where Morton fits in. But for now, he’ll get to show his hometown team what he’s all about.
(Photo of Mohamed Ibrahim: Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)
