The Detroit Lions signed 15 undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft, and while we’re still learning how they can contribute to the team, there are some clues as to which players may have an inside track to compete for a spot in the list.
One of the main ways to help determine value is to take a closer look at college film. We already took that step for you and broke down the Lions UDFA class in a previous article. Below, we took an early look at the Lions’ UDFAs during rookie minicamp and made observations on how they fit into Detroit’s scheme.
Another way to add context is to look at UDFA contracts (specifically, guaranteed money) to help us understand how the Lions may view a player’s value. Generally, the more guarantees a player gets, the more the team believes he has a chance of making the roster. There are always exceptions to the rule, which we will get to later.
UDFA contracts work much like NFL free agency. Once a rookie is undrafted, he enters an open market free agency period where teams can offer contracts for his services. Just like in free agency, players will weigh contracts against each other, look at the depth and fit of those teams, and can sign whenever they want.
From a team perspective, it’s a struggle trying to land prospects who you think can help your roster, while also operating within a budget. To stay competitive, the NFL only allows teams a specific amount of money they can use for UDFA signing bonuses (to entice a player to sign): about $175,000 total.
Some teams choose to sign small UDFA Draft classes and offer more money in signing bonuses, while others sign larger classes and spread out the signing bonuses. One way teams with larger UDFA ranks stay competitive is by offering additional guarantees through a player’s salary. Guaranteeing portions of a player’s salary doesn’t count in the NFL formula, but it gives the player more contractual security. While this is an open-ended option, teams tend to operate with some caution because if a player is cut before making the 53-man roster, all guaranteed money is owed to the player and counts against the team’s salary cap. . These guarantees tend to increase if a team is very interested in a player or if teams get into bidding wars.
Let’s look at the Lions’ 2024 UDFA class and the guaranteed money they were given in their contracts (via OverTheCap.com):
Note: Isaac Rex was cut before his contract was released, so it’s unclear if he had any guarantees.
At first glance, Kingsley Eguakun, Isaiah Williams, and Steele Chambers all received strong guarantees, which is consistent with our film breakdown article where we noted that they were the three players in this draft class who had a selectable grade entering the draft. While the money certainly points to these three being the UDFA players to watch, they will still have to earn a role on the roster.
For example, the top three UDFAs of 2023 have landed in different places. Connor Galvin (who had more Lions guarantees) made the practice squad and is still with the team. Mohamed Ibrahim (second most assured) made the practice squad, was elevated to the 53-man roster, was injured and did not sign with an NFL team in 2024. Chase Cota (third) did not make the roster The Lions didn’t even train. team, but he spent time on the Chiefs and Texans practice squads last year, and is currently on the Giants’ 90-man roster.
Here’s a look at the Lions’ 2023 UDFA class, the guarantees they received, what quality they were in with the Lions, and where they stand now.
As you can see, players with higher amounts of guarantees tend to stay in the NFL a little longer (seven of the top nine UDFAs with high guarantees as of 2023 are still in the NFL), but how far can a player go? It depends on your actions. . For example, Trevor Nowaske received no guarantee, yet the Lions worked hard to keep him on their roster and when they were forced to make a move, they claimed him off waivers.
Similar patterns are seen in the two previous UDFA classes under the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell regime. Obinna Eze (maximum guarantees starting in 2022) stayed with the Lions for one season, then bounced around the NFL and UFL, and is currently with the Jets. Sage Surratt (maximum guarantees in 2021) was initially on the Lions’ practice squad, but has bounced back and forth between the NFL and UFL over the past three seasons and is currently with the Memphis Showboats in the UFL.
What you will notice is that with UDFAs, like most NFL players, his opportunities decrease over time. Of the UDFA classes of 2021 and 2022, only Brock Wright remains with the Lions and only three of the 25 players are still in the NFL. Tommy Kraemer and AJ Parker were on NFL rosters before the draft, but after their team’s new signings by the UDFA, they were released.
In the end, each player will determine his own success in the NFL, as Wright’s success demonstrates, but history shows that teams tend to favor younger players, and those with higher amounts of guarantees tend to have more shots in the NFL.
For the Lions, that likely means Galvin, Gilmore, Joseph and Smith will have to prove they’ve developed to remain in Detroit. While Eguakun, Williams and Chambers could all have a shot at a spot on the 53-man roster and, at the very least, should be strong candidates for the practice squad.
Is there a Brock Wright in this UDFA class? The Lions have 14 more lottery tickets to find out.
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