5 undrafted rookies who could make Detroit Lions 53-man roster

The Detroit Lions have added some undrafted free agents that are interesting, but which of them could actually make the 53-man roster?

As is custom after every draft, the news of undrafted free agents signing with NFL teams came fast and furious. The Detroit Lions added their own long list of names of course, making a couple relatively significant  financial investments along the way too.

Undrafted free agents face an automatic uphill climb to stick on an NFL roster, but there are a lot success stories and some have become stars. Time will tell if any Lions’ UDFAs will stick or make a notable contribution, but Dan Campbell operates a meritocracy without favor to contract status, draft position or name recognition. The best players will earn roster spots and roles, plain and simple.

With rookie minicamp approaching and with offseason work in more fullness to follow, the Lions’ undrafted guys will have an opportunity to get noticed. Some will have a clearer opportunity to earn a roster spot than others, based purely on the position they play and depth needs naturally varying. Others can simply make themselves hard to ignore with a strong showing in practice sessions, and force the Lions to make room for them.

With that, here are five undrafted free agents who could make the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster.

5 undrafted free agents who could make the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster

5. Baylor OT Connor Galvin

The Lions are well-positioned across most of the offensive line, now or into the future, and tackle is not a need that’s on the radar really at all with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell locking down those starting spots for at least the next couple years. Decker has two years left on his contract, but entering his age-30 season an extension to keep him around a few years longer isn’t out of the question

But adding to the pipeline at any position is never a bad  idea. Galvin (6-foot-7, 293 pounds) is regarded as a developmental guy as he hits the next level, but started a Baylor program record 50 games (thanks in part to that extra COVID year) at left tackle. In 2021 he was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, and he was a Third Team AP All-American. Last season, he was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection.

Galvin was a projected to be anything from a sixth-round pick down to a priority undrafted free agent. The Lions surely had to be one of the first teams who called him in order to get him as a UDFA. He could be allowed to legimately compete with Matt Nelson to be the extra/swing tackle for the Lions.

4. WR Chase Cota

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions gave Cota $80,000 in guaranteed money as an undrafted free agent. That alone seeems to mean he’ll have an opportunity to earn a roster spot. In the wake of the gambling suspensions handed down by the league in April, the Lions cut Quintez Cephus and Jameson Williams will be sidelined for the first six games of the 2023 season.

Cota transferred from UCLA to Oregon for the last two years of his college career. His raw production was never great in either spot, but he averaged at least 13.8 yards per catch in three of four normal seasons. At 6-foot-2 and around 200 pounds, he somewhat looks the part of an “X” receiver with the idea he could be a special teams contributor at the next level.

Here’s a bit of a scouting report on Cota from Brentley Weissman of The Draft Network.

"He flashes a good ability to get vertical as he has above-average long speed once his stride gets going. He is a build-to-speed receiver who has a long stride and can separate vertically against slower defensive backs. He has a good catch radius and displays good hands overall. He is good with the ball in his hands and runs hard, breaking tackles and fighting for extra yards. An above-average route-runner, Cota is a good technician and it shows that he is a son of an NFL player. Cota is tough as nails and is an excellent blocker. I expect him to be a very good special teams player as a kick coverage guy at the next level."

Cota will probably have to overtake known Dan Campbell favorite Tom Kennedy to earn a 53-man roster spot. But it’s not out of the question.

3. S Brandon  Joseph

Joseph transferred to Notre Dame from Northwestern for his final college season in 2022. His production dropped off from what it had been with the Wildcats, with 30 total tackles and zero interceptions in 10 games last season.

But interesting skills presumably haven’t gone away. In 2021 at Northwestern Joseph had 79 total tackles and three interceptions, and in 2020 he had six interceptions on his way to being a Consensus All-American selection.

Even with the addition of Brian Branch in the draft, the Lions are hurting a little bit for safety depth. C.J. Moore was cut after his indefinite gambling suspension, and Tracy Walker is working his way back from a torn Achilles. Joseph has a potential opportunity in front of him.

2. CB Starling Thomas

Thomas was regarded as a potential Day 3 draft pick, but he ultimately fell all the way out of the proceedings. He is on the smaller side (5-foot-11, 194 pounds) and there’s natural level of competition talk and concern coming out of UAB.

But Thomas was a three-year starter at UAB, and he registered 23 pass breakups over the last two (15 last season, fourth in FBS). He didn’t nab a ton of interceptions, but he clearly has good ball skills.

Pro Football Network noted Thomas is a “feisty, fast-paced competitor” in tabbing him as the undrafted free agent with the best chance to make the Lions’ roster. That description reeks of someone Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell will fall in love with quickly.

1. RB Mohamed Ibrahim

Ibrahim had a great career at Minnesota, finishing as the school’s all-time leading rusher (4,668 yards) and rushing touchdown scorer (53). If not for a season-ending Achilles’ tear in the 2021 season opener against Ohio State, there’s a good chance he’d have led the Big Ten in rushing three straight seasons.

A smaller back without outstanding athletic traits, Ibrahim was regarded as a late-round draft pick at best. In quickly signing him as an undrafted guy, the Lions practically paid him as if he was seventh-round pick.

I’ve said it several times, and I’ll say it again. Ibrahim has things in his toolbox that simply can’t be measured–savvy, toughness, etc.–and things that are noticable on tape (instincts, power, center of gravity that leads to “always falling forward”).

Via Lions Wire, Ibrahim pointed to why he has been so good after contact (3.56 yards after contact per carry last season) back at the NFL Combine.

"Feet don’t die,” Ibrahim said in Indianapolis. “That’s one thing that coach Burns always says: Don’t let your feet die so they hit you at one yard. Just keep driving your feet and you’re gonna fall forward for four. Then you look up at the end of the game, and you got 50 yards after contact and it’s only because your feet don’t stop.”"

Getting right down to it, Ibrahim should have no trouble usurping Jermar Jefferson on the Lions’ depth chart. And Craig Reynolds may not be much of a challenge to surpass as the No. 3 back behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The former Gopher is a pretty easy No. 1 on this list.