The 2024 NFL Draft is over, and the Detroit Lions made six picks after multiple trades. It's a well-regarded class by the post-draft graders: Cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, running back/safety Sione Vaki, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and guard Christian Mahogany.
Then, as usual, came the rush to sign prospects who did not get drafted. The Lions have had some success with undrafted rookies recently, none moreso than tight end Brock Wright. Last year, four undrafted rookies (Steven Gilmore, Connor Galvin, Brandon Joseph, Chris Smith) stuck around, with Gilmore making the 53-man roster.
UDFA tracker: Which undrafted rookies have the Lions signed?
Jalon Calhoun, WR, Duke (source)
A high school quarterback, Calhoun had 253 receptions for 3,026 yards and 17 touchdowns over five seasons at Duke. Perhaps most notably, he averaged 9.9 yards per punt return during his college career and has return man potential.
Isaac Ukwu, EDGE, Ole Miss (source)
Ukwu dominated at a small school, with 16.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss over 28 games at James Madison (7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2022, when James Madison made the move from the FCS to the Sun Belt). He transferred to Ole Miss for his final college season, but was not nearly as productive (3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss in 13 games).
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Ukwu is getting a $10,000 signing bonus and $25,000 in guaranteed salary in his UDFA deal with the Lions.
Duke Clemens, OL, UCLA (source)
Clemens started 34 straight games at center to finish his career at UCLA, with a top-13 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus last year (81.8). As noted by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 and Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, the Lions gave him $60,000 guaranteed, which reflects his chances to stick.
Bryan Hudson, C, Louisville (source)
Hudson played 59 games across five seasons at Virginia Tech in Louisville, settling in at center after splitting his time between there and right guard. A four-time state shot put champion from Kentucky, he grew up on a farm and built "country strength" throwing bales of hay. He apparently played through a Grade 2 sprained PCL most of last season, which exemplifies the "grit" Dan Campbell wants.
Steele Chambers, LB, Ohio State (source)
Chambers started his Ohio State career at running back, before moving to linebacker and starting 30 games as a WILL linebacker. He led the Buckeyes in tackles last season (83),
Isaiah WIlliams, WR, Illinois (source)
Per reports from Wilson and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Williams got a $15,000 signing bonus and $225,000 in guaranteed base salary. That's massive commitment for a UDFA. He started his career at Illinois as a quarterback, before moving to wide receiver and tallying 82 receptions in each of his final two seasons. Last season, those 82 catches led the Big Ten as he earned all-conference honors and all-conference honorable mention for his work as a punt returner. He was a high school teammate of Lions' wide receiver Jameson Williams.
DaRon Gilbert, LB/S, Northern Illinois (source)
Gilbert is a Detroit native. He started his college career at Lafayette in the FCS, playing safety for four seasons and 137 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and nine pass breakups. He transferred to Northern Illinois and moved to linebacker last season, finishing with 51 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Per the school, he ran a 4.70-second 40 at his Pro Day.
Chelen Garnes, S, Wake Forest (source)
Garnes started his college career at Navy, before transferring to Wake Forest. Over his last two seasons, he totaled 132 tackles with four tackles for loss and eight pass breakups.
Hogan Hatten, LS, Idaho (source)
Right next to Steele Chambers as the Lions' UDFA with the coolest name, Hatten started 25 games at long snapper the last two seasons. Also blocked a punt and recorded a safety, which intrigues Kyle Meinke of MLive.
Morice Norris, DB, Fresno State (source)
The Lions made a visit to Norris' Pro Day, so it's not shocking they snapped him up as a UDFA. He led the Bulldogs in tackles for loss (9.5) while adding 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups last season. In 2022, he had eight tackles for loss and six pass breakups.
Nate Lynn, EDGE, William & Mary (source)
Lynn finished second in school history with 28 sacks, while lining up across the defensive line.
Isaac Rex, TE, BYU (source)
Rex never came close to matching the 12 touchdowns he had as a freshman in 2020, but he is big (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) with excellent hands and improvement as a blocker over the course of his college career.
Loren Strickland, DB, Ball State (source)
Strickland made five starts over two seasons at Ball State after transferring from Indianapolis. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, he ran a 4.49 40-yard dash during a workout for the Colts, and he had a good showing at Ball State's Pro Day (18 bench press reps, 38-inch vertical, 10-foot-5-inch broad jump).
James Turner, K, Michigan (source)
Turner spent his first three college seasons at Louisville, with good seasons in 2020 and 2022 sandwiched around making just 63.9 percent of his field goals in 2021 (14-for-22). In his lone season at Michigan, he went 65-for-66 on extra points and 18-for-21 on field goals (85.7 percent) with a long of 50 yards.
Kingsley Eguakun, C, Florida (source)
Eguakun was a three-year starter a center for the Gators, but he missed time with an ankle injury last season. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, got a $20,000 signing bonus and $225,000 in guaranteed base salary.
Invited to rookie minicamp for tryout
Cade Peterson, QB, Grand Valley State (source)
Michael Herzog, RB, Hillsdale College (source)
Theo Day, QB, Northern Iowa (source)
Josh Landry, DT, Missouri (source)
Former Vikings DT T.J Smith (source)