Detroit Lions: Each undrafted free agent’s chance to make the final roster
The most likely undrafted free agent to make the team is on offense.
Tight End Hunter Bryant:
One of the biggest surprises to come out of the 2020 NFL draft was that Washington tight end Hunter Bryant went undrafted. Many analysts and experts were projecting him to go as early as the fourth round and to easily hear his name called during the draft.
Instead, he never got the call until after the final draft pick. The Detroit Lions were able to lock him up soon after the draft and will finally get to see him on the field this month.
Bryant gives the Lions another athletic option at tight end to line up in the slot as a flex tight end. His size and speed combination will help the team because they don’t have very many athletic specimens like Bryant at the tight end position.
The ability to have all of Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., T.J. Hockenson, and Hunter Bryant on the field at the same time would leave the defense with a whole array of big, athletic receivers to deal with. It would be difficult for them to successfully match up with all four of them, not to mention running backs releasing from the backfield for passes.
Bryant reminds me of New York Giants tight end Evan Engram in a lot of ways. They are similar size, they’re both better as flex-slot receivers, and both are much less impactful when they line up as traditional in-line tight ends.
The biggest thing that could hurt Bryant’s chances to make the roster is that he is prone to dropping passes. If Bryant can fix that then he should have a clear path to the roster due to his athletic ability and the lack of quality options after Hockenson on the roster.
Chance to make the 53-man roster: Very High (~90%)
Fullback Luke Sellers:
This young man has a long way to go if he wants to make the roster. Fullback Luke Sellers is not only playing in a devalued position in today’s NFL, but he will also have to knock off incumbent fullback Nick Bawden and possibly one of the running backs should the team feel like they are leaning toward not carrying a fullback this year.
Sellers is a tough-nosed, gritty player who is was a bruiser in college in the running game and a successful pass blocker as well. He was a popular player among his coaches and teammates and will need to show the Lions staff the same determination, preparation, and skills he did in college if he is to have any chance to make the team.