The Detroit Lions put the finishing touches on their 2025 NFL draft class late Saturday. But in the hours since, the team has remained busy, picking up several undrafted free agents to round out the roster.
In the past, the Lions have found a way to have several undrafted free agents stick around on the practice squad. They've even had success stories translate to the 53-man roster, with Brock Wright, Tom Kennedy, and Anthony Pittman playing critical snaps for the team in regular-season games.
With this in mind, the opportunity should be there for more players to earn a job this season. Who could have the early inside track toward earning a role in 2025? Here's a look at some best guesses.
5 UDFA signings who can make the Detroit Lions roster in 2025
5. Jackson Meeks, WR, Syracuse
After three selections from Georgia, it wasn't a surprise to see the Lions go back to the Bulldog well during undrafted free agency.
Jackson Meeks started his career with Georgia, where he put up just 132 yards before transferring to Syracuse. General manager Brad Holmes likely saw him on plenty of Georgia tape during the scouting process. While playing with the Orange, Meeks broke out during the 2024 season, posting 1,021 yards and seven touchdowns as the team's major offensive threat.
All of a sudden, Detroit's wideout room looks loaded, but there will be an opportunity for an underrated player to break through. It also doesn't hurt that his uncle is Za'Darius Smith.
Family reunion, anyone?
4. Mason Miller, OT, North Dakota State
The Lions stocked up on interior offensive linemen during the draft, adding Georgia's Tate Ratledge in the second round and trading up for LSU's Miles Frazier in the fifth round. They didn't address the tackle spot, which could open the door for Mason Miller to compete for a role.
Miller was impressive in college, starting with the Bison for three years. He has good size at 6'6" and will have a chance to push Giovanni Manu and Colby Sorsdal for time behind Detroit's elite starters. NDSU also sent Grey Zabel into the league this year, so don't count Miller out from making an impact.
3. Leif Fautanu, C, Arizona State
Similarly to tackle, the Lions didn't add a center in spite of that position being a need given the injury troubles of Frank Ragnow. The 28-year-old had a solid and healthy 2024 season, but that doesn't mean the Lions should keep the development of a ready-made replacement on the backburner much longer.
Leif Fautanu was durable during his time in college, logging 3,329 career snaps at center and playing in 57 games over a six-year span. He's a center first and foremost, so the Lions won't have to waste valuable time converting him from guard. That lack of a learning curve could help him hit the ground running and play a vital role for Detroit, especially if Ragnow has an issue.
2. Ian Kennelly, S, Grand Valley State
Unless you're a serious fan of the small-school Lakers, it's not likely you've heard of Ian Kennelly. The Division II prospect was still one of the top players at his position in college and has been a ballhawk given his eight career interceptions and 174 tackles.
The Lions came into the 2025 NFL Draft with a need at safety, featuring depth issues behind their starters. They added Georgia's Dan Jackson in the seventh round, but he won't be that far ahead of Kennelly in camp. The Lions have kept reserve safeties to play a role on special teams, so Kennelly should have an opportunity. The battle between him and Jackson will be interesting.
1. Caden Prieskorn, TE, Ole Miss
It was a surprise to see Caden Prieskorn go undrafted given his impressive college career. In a five-year tenure with Memphis and Ole Miss, he posted 1,531 yards and 14 touchdowns, with his best season coming for the Tigers in 2022.
The Lions feature Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, but there's a fall behind those two. Detroit signed Kenny Yeboah this offseason, but there's no reason to think Prieskorn can't flash in camp and get himself on Detroit's radar. Wright played his way into a similar opportunity and is now the Lions' second tight end. That makes Prieskorn the top name to remember this summer.
Other undrafted free agents to watch: Jakobie Keeney-James, WR, UMass; Gavin Holmes, CB, Texas; Anthony Tyus III, RB, Ohio.