Taking a closer look at what the Detroit Lions are getting in their 2024 undrafted free agent rookie class.
In addition to the six selected players in the 2024 draft, the Detroit Lions have also reportedly added another 15 rookies to their roster from the undrafted free agent market.
One of the unique traits of this year’s UDFA class is that general manager Brad Holmes appeared to attack positions in bunches. Amongst this class, he targeted three players who primarily play center, three (arguably four) hard-hitting, in-the-box defensive backs, and two slot receivers who were former quarterbacks. This dart-throwing approach is a bit different from what we have seen from Holmes in the past, but as the roster becomes more complete, it does make sense to target specific areas of need and take several shots at filling the void.
While UDFAs can often come out of nowhere to impress and challenge for a role on the roster, there were three players amongst the Lions UDFA class that had draftable grades. So let’s start with a breakdown of those top prospects and then move on to the rest of the players added to Detroit’s 90-man roster.
Isaiah Williams, Slot WR, Illinois
5-foot-9 1⁄4, 182 pounds
Contract guarantees: $15,000 signing bonus and $225,000 contract (source)
Pre-draft ranking on Erik’s board: 189
After spending his first two seasons at Illinois in the quarterback’s room (one as a redshirt), Williams switched to wide receiver as a redshirt sophomore and immediately found a spot as their starting slot receiver and punt returner. Over the next three seasons as Williams adapted to the position, he would make incremental improvements, totaling 214 receptions for 2,304 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while also fielding 27 punts for a 9.1 yards per return average.
In addition to his steady on-field improvements, Williams was a two-time captain who was generally regarded as a tough, competitive, and explosive contributor. While Williams’ size and long speed (4.63 seconds, 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine) are obstacles, his agility scores (6.75 seconds, 3-cone) and explosive nature of his game could lead to a role as a gadget player/punt returner in the NFL.
Steele Chambers, LB, Ohio State
6-foot-1, 226 pounds
Pre-draft ranking on Erik’s board: 218
Chambers made my pre-Combine linebacker watchlist for the Lions because of his ability to anticipate and read-and-react skills, especially against the run. As a former running back, Chambers has a natural feel for the run game, has shown well in filling gaps and scraping down the line of scrimmage, and has a solid foundation to build upon. He’s better in zone coverage than in man, but he has solid on-field athleticism to match up well against tight ends and running backs. His ability to contribute on multiple phases of special teams will give him his best chance of making the Lions roster.
Over the past three seasons, the Lions have kept six off-the-ball linebackers on the active roster and all were active on game days for special teams purposes. This offseason, the Lions retained their top five linebackers but lost special teams ace Anthony Pittman to the Commanders. With the new special teams rules implemented this offseason, it’s unclear if the Lions will continue to keep six linebackers in 2024 or if they will adjust that final spot to another position. If they do repeat themselves and keep six, Chambers should have a real shot at making the 53-man roster.
Kingsley Eguakun, C, Florida
6-foot-3 1⁄2 , 304 pounds
Contract guarantees: $20,000 signing bonus and $225,000 contract (source)
Pre-draft ranking on Erik’s board: 272
With nearly 1,900 snaps at center over three years as a starter, Eguakun is more of a technician-based pivot player than a power-based blocker and will probably need to get stronger before he’ll be able to consistently compete in the NFL. His best traits stem from his movements, including how he uses his hands, both in technique 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 stick in the league, even if his career only begins on the practice squad.
Beyond starter Frank Ragnow, the Lions’ depth at center was thin. Starting left guard Graham Glasgow has taken starter reps at center in the past, but practice squader Michael Niese was the only other center on the roster. The Lions added three UDFA centers and they will compete with Niese for a chance to make the practice squad or potentially the 53-man roster. On paper, Eguakun could be the early front-runner for the role.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the UDFA class.
Jalon Calhoun, Slot WR, Duke
5-foot-10, 186 pounds
Like Williams, Calhoun is a former quarterback turned slot receiver with questionable long speed (4.64 second 40-yard-dash) but the ability to be a gadget contributor and punt returner because of his in-game quickness. A productive five-year starter (COVID granted him an extra year of eligibility), Calhoun finished either first or second on the team in receiving yards in each of his seasons with the Blue Devils.
Isaac Rex, TE, BYU
6-foot-5 1⁄2 , 248 pounds
Rex is a “move” tight end who was often relied upon at BYU because of his ability to make contested catches, block in space, and create yards after the catch. Unfortunately for Rex, his overall RAS score of 2.43 doesn’t match up with the “move” tight end role, and his traditional run-blocking technique needs improvement. He’ll have a tough road to try and break into the roster with the Lions’ top four established.
Bryan Hudson, C, Louisville
6-foot-5, 300 pounds
Hudson began his career at Virginia Tech before transferring to Louisville in 2021 and anchored their zone-based blocking scheme for the last two and a half seasons. He’s spent the majority of his career at center (2696 snaps) but he does have experience at right (997 snaps) and left (21 snaps) guard. While Hudson’s athleticism (8.95 RAS) was featured in a zone scheme, he has stated that his favorite part of football is run blocking, especially the gap-based concepts that were introduced to Louisville this past season—which will certainly help his transition into the Lions scheme.
Duke Clemens, C, UCLA
6-foot-3 1⁄2 , 302 pounds
Contract guarantees: $10,000 signing bonus and $50,000 contract (source)
Clemens’ profile is very reminiscent of Hudson’s. He has been a starting center the last two seasons (2395 snaps) but has guard experience (left: 519, right: 264 snaps) from early on in his career. He’s also an above-average athlete for the position (8.58 RAS) which worked well in UCLA’s zone blocking scheme, and he uses his hands effectively in order to overcome his lack of power. While the majority of his experience is in zone blocking, he’s a good puller and has the toughness/mentality to have success in a gap-blocking scheme as well.
Nate Lynn, EDGE/DL, William & Mary
6-foot-3, 253 pounds
Lynn’s yet another high-effort edge lineman who wins with his hands—seems like a trend. His overall game needs polish but he was disruptive/productive in college and has the positional range to situationally kick inside. The Lions liked his game enough that they brought him in for a top 30 visit, which certainly will help his chances of sticking around.
Isaac Ukwu, EDGE/SAM, Ole Miss
6-foot-3, 261 pounds
Contract guarantees: $35,000 guaranteed (source)
After a bumpy start to his career at James Madison (including two separate season-ending knee injuries to begin his college career), Ukwu’s work ethic and perseverance helped him establish himself during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He then seized his opportunity to put his skills on a bigger stage and transferred to Mississippi for the 2023 season, playing the JACK linebacker role in Lane Kiffin’s defense.
DaRon Gilbert, LB/SAF, Northern Illinois
6-foot-1, 214 pounds
Gilbert, who played locally at Brother Rice High School, was a three-year starting safety (both at free and strong) at Lafayette before transferring to Northern Illinois and shifting to a starting outside linebacker role. At 214 pounds, Gilbert will probably be a safety for the Lions, but the fact that the Huskies used him in the box illustrates where he can probably be the most impactful—covering tight ends/running back and stopping the run.
Chelen Garnes, SAF, Wake Forest
5-foot-10, 199 pounds
Garnes started his career at Navy, transferred to Wake Forest in 2021, stepped into a starting role in 2022, and a leadership role in 2023. Garnes played the “ROVER” role for Wake Forest, essentially roaming the middle of the field and dropping to a linebacker level where he can run the alley or drop into coverage down the seam. Looking purely at his numbers, you’d think he is undersized for the role, but he is absolutely shredded and hits like he looks.
Loren Strickland, SAF, Ball State
5-foot-9, 199 pounds
Strickland started his career at the University of Indianapolis, where he was a conference freshman defensive player of the year and a sophomore captain before transferring to Ball State in 2022. Another downhill safety, Strickland is a solid tackler who can hit and is likely best suited near the box.
Morice Norris, NB, Fresno State
5-foot-10, 181 pounds
After starting his career at the community college level, Norris eventually landed at Fresno State and earned a starting nickelback role in 2022. He does have some experience playing on the outside and at safety, but he looks like his best spot would be at nickelback in the NFL. Like the other defensive backs in this UDFA class, Norris likes to hit and can be very disruptive against the run or blitzing from the slot—he recorded 3.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 11 pressures in 2023.
James Turner, K, Michigan
6-foot-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 to be his first level of competition. After starting his career at Louisville, Turner transferred to Michigan to replace 49ers 2023 third-round pick Jake Moody. In 2023, Turner went 18-of-21 (85.7%) on field goal attempts and 65-of-66 extra points (a Michigan record), on his way to helping the Wolverines win a National Championship. While kicking from distance was a problem for Turner at Louisville, he successfully converted three of his four attempts from 50 yards while at Michigan.
Hogan Hatten, LS, Idaho
6-foot-1 1⁄2, 238 pounds
Like at kicker, Hatten was brought in for competition with the Lions’ incumbent long snapper, Scott Daly. Hatten will bring his 9.89 RAS score (third-highest RAS score ever recorded by a long snapper) with him to Allen Park, which could create an interesting camp battle.
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