Lions sign two interesting players after rookie minicamp tryouts

Apart from incoming rookies getting in their first NFL practices, rookie minicamp gives some other players an opportunity to come in on a tryout basis. On Monday, the Detroit Lions officially signed two players who were tryout players at rookie minicamp. Previous reports said wide receiver Kaden Davis had agreed to terms, and tight end Parker Hesse has also been signed to the 90-man roster.

Davis went undrafted out of Division II Northwest Missouri State in 2022. He spent his first season with the Denver Broncos, on and off their practice squad. He spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals, with eight receptions and a touchdown during the preseason. He was elevated to the Cardinals' active roster for one regular season game (he did not play).

In between, Davis played for the Michigan Panthers in the USFL during the 2023 season. He was the Panthers' primary return man, with 311 kickoff return yards in five games. That's where the Lions may see his potential, with the NFL's new kickoff rule opening the door for more returns.

Lions add two players after rookie minicamp tryouts

Hesse has spent the last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, playing in a total of 28 games with 14 career catches for 132 yards. He played in all 17 games (seven starts) for the Falcons in 2022, and he caught a touchdown pass against the Lions in a preseason game that year.

Hesse was originally an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2019, spending his first two years with the Tennessee Titans. He's not quite an "Iowa tight end" though, since he played linebacker than defensive line in college before the Titans moved him to the offensive side of the ball. Maybe he's got some two-way utility potential as a defensive lineman.

Hesse seems to profile best as a fullback, but the Lions do have question marks down the tight end depth chart after Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. If nothing else, like Davis, he's just interesting enough to be worthy of a longer look after rookie minicamp.