Detroit Lions land two on list of 10 best undrafted rookie signings

The Detroit Lions had a nice-looking run with signing undrafted rookies, and one list seems to prove it.

Some times, undrafted free agency right after each NFL draft yields some finds. This year, the Detroit Lions are hoping for another find like cornerback Jerry Jacobs in 2021. Among 14 guys they signed right after last week’s draft, there are certainly some interesting players.

Of course lists of the best undrafted free agent signings have naturally come out. Take them for whatever you feel they’re worth. But there will be some who get a legit chance to earn a roster spot (or more), for the Lions and each of the other 31 teams.

Pro Football Focus narrowed to a list of the 10 best undrafted free agent signings across the league. The Lions’ division rival Minnesota Vikings had the top two (Ivan Pace Jr. and Andre Carter), but Detroit had a couple on the list too.

Detroit Lions land two on list of top-10 UDFA signings

Here are the two Lions UDFA signings who made the PFF list (No. 7 and No. 9 on the list), with the site’s pre-draft big board ranking added for context to bolster the case.

"CB STARLING THOMAS V, DETROIT LIONSPFF Big Board ranking: 153Thomas boasts top-tier speed for the position, as he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard-dash time but a lack of ideal size did not help his draft stock. The Lions have many question marks at the cornerback position, and Thomas has experience as a three-year starter out of UAB where he most recently allowed just 37.9% of his targets to be caught (tied for 12th) thanks to a 29% forced incompletion percentage, which was tied for fourth-best among FBS corners (min. 20% of coverage snaps).S BRANDON JOSEPH, DETROIT LIONSPFF Big Board ranking: 161The Lions target the defensive secondary once again, bringing in the former 2020 All-American to compete for a backup safety role. Joseph displayed decent coverage ability throughout his three years as a starter at Northwestern and most recently Notre Dame, as he never earned below a 77.1 coverage grade in the past three seasons. Joseph also earned a top-25 punt return grade (77.2) in 2022 and could provide some value on special teams."

Thomas had 23 pass breakups over his final two seasons as UAB, so even with a lack of interceptions (three over four seasons) he is definitely a ballhawk. Pro Football Network called him a “feisty, fast-paced competitor”, which reeks of a Dan Campbelll type.

Joseph’s sheer interception production fell after he intercepted six passes for Northwestern in 2020, but as noted his PFF coverage grades were still good the last two seasons. With that punt return prowess as a root but not necessarily a full-time role with how good Kalif Raymond has been, he may have a path to a roster spot via special teams.