After taking eight players in the 2023 NFL Draft, who have the Detroit Lions brought in as undrafted free agents?
One each NFL draft is over, the action is not done. Players who were not drafted are snapped up by teams, and the news is fast and furious as some recognizable names land in interesting spots.
After taking eight players in the 2023 draft, who have the Detroit Lions signed as undrafted free agents?
Note: These announcements aren’t officially official just yet, just reported and in some cases the guaranteed money given will indeed make them a Lion as offseason work starts. The team should confirm all UDFA signings in a few days.
Detroit Lions undrafted free agent signings
QB Adrian Martinez, Kansas State
RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnnesota
WR Chase Cota, Oregon
LB Isaac Darkangelo, Illinois
OT Connor Galvin, Baylor
DE Zach Morton, Akron
WR Keytaon Thompson, Virginia
S Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame
CB Starling Thomas, UAB
DT Chris Smith, Notre Dame
OG/C Brad Cecil, South Florida
OT Ryan Swoboda, UCF
DT Cory Durden, NC State
LB Trevor Nowaske, Saginaw Valley State
The respective schools for Smith, Joseph, Swoboda and Thompson announced their signings. Swoboda also announced his on his Instagram. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Ibrahim and Cota.
Notes
Martinez had an early top-30 visit with the Lions, so he’s been on their radar for awhile and based on the order of the news he was the first undrafted guy they signed. He threw for 1,261 yards and ran for 627 yards with 10 touchdowns for Kansas State last season. Before transferring there, he set the Nebraska record for total offense (10,792 yards).
Ibrahim was a potential late-round running back target for the Lions entering the draft. A two-time Big Ten leading rusher during his time at Minnesota, the Lions gave him $100,000 guaranteed.
Former Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim is signing with the #Lions on a deal that includes $100,000 guaranteed, per source. Basically the same money as being a seventh-round pick, with the ability to renegotiate sooner. When healthy, Ibrahim is a baller.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2023
Cota, a UCLA transfer, got $80,000 guaranteed from the Lions.
Former Oregon WR Chase Cota is signing with the #Lions on a deal that includes $80,000 guaranteed, per his agents @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2023
Joseph transferred to Notre Dame last year. He registered six interceptions and earned All-American honors at Northwestern in 2020.
Thomas is smaller corner who had a Day 3 draft grade for a lot of analysts. Over his last two seasons at UAB, he had 23 pass breakups (15 in 2022).
Swoboda was a three-year starter at right tackle for UCF. At 6-foot-9, (319 pounds), he was one of the tallest players in this year’s draft.
Cecil started 50 games, mostly at center, over five seasons at South Florida.