The Lions came away with five rookies over the course of the draft. The 2024 event’s hosts have added to that group with 15 undrafted players. Here are Detroit’s rookie free agent signings:
- Jalon Calhoun, WR (Duke)
- Steele Chambers, LB (Ohio State)
- Duke Clemens, OL (UCLA)
- Kingsley Eguakun, OL (Florida)
- Chelen Garnes, S (Wake Forest)
- DaRon Gilbert, LB (Northern Illinois)
- Hogan Hatten, LS (Idaho)
- Bryan Hudson, OL (Louisville)
- Nate Lynn, DL (William & Mary)
- Morice Norris Jr., CB (Fresno State)
- Isaac Rex, TE (BYU)
- Loren Strickland, S (Ball State)
- James Turner, K (Michigan)
- Isaac Ukwu, DL (Ole Miss)
- Isaiah Williams, WR (Illinois)
Williams secured one of the largest guarantees in the league amongst undrafted rookies. The 5-9 speedster received $225K of locked in base salary in addition to a $15K signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Williams began his college career as a quarterback, but over the past three seasons he served as a key member of the Fighting Illini’s passing attack. The 180-pounder recorded 82 catches in 2022 and ’23, totaling a career-high 1,055 yards and five touchdowns last year.
The Lions finished the 2023 campaign with Michael Badgley as their kicker, and he was re-signed earlier this offseason. The 28-year-old entered Friday as the only kicker on Detroit’s roster, but Turner will provide offseason competition. The latter spent his first four seasons at Louisville, converting 79.7% of his field goal attempts. That figure rose to 85.7% with the Wolverines in 2023, and Turner connected on all but one of his extra point kicks
Like Williams, Chambers switched positions midway through his college tenure. He started his time with the Buckeyes as a running back, though he only received 28 carries across the 2018 and ’19 seasons. The move to linebacker prompted a spike in playing time, and Chambers increased his tackle total with each passing season over the last three years. In all, the 6-1, 220-pounder racked up 208 stops, three sacks and four interceptions; he will aim to translate that production into at least a special teams opportunity in Detroit.
Rex, if he’s healthy again, could be a downright steal!!
He’d fit in perfectly with how Detroit uses their Tight Ends, and he could learn from two really good veterans in front of him.
The Lions drafted six players, missing is fourth round Safety/Running Back/Special Teams Sione Vaki of Utah.
Yeah, I mentioned that about a week ago.
On a side note, Lions’ rookie numbers:
#0, T. Arnold
#15, E. Rakestraw Jr.
#33, S. Vaki
#59, G. Manu
#73, C. Mahogany
#94, M. Wingo
Steele Chambers is such a metal name.