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Detroit Lions: 3 UDFAs who could make an impact

By Sayre Bedinger

BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Jonathan Duhart #9 of the Old Dominion Monarchs advances the ball following his reception in the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at S. B. Ballard Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Jonathan Duhart #9 of the Old Dominion Monarchs advances the ball following his reception in the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at S. B. Ballard Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: T.J. Hockenson of Iowa poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #8 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: T.J. Hockenson of Iowa poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #8 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Lions made some big moves in free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft, but might have some diamonds in the rough from their UDFA crop as well.

The Detroit Lions have quietly put together a solid offseason in year two of the Matt Patricia era, bringing in more of the Patriot Way.

They spent big in free agency on defensive lineman Trey Flowers, who is expected to be the team’s key reason for a defensive turnaround in 2019.

Flowers was a dominant player at times for the Patriots, but has never really been an edge-bending sack artist like many star edge guys in the NFL.

Flowers brings his versatility back to Patricia’s defense along with slot corner Justin Coleman, who was with the Patriots from 2015-16.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Lions improved most notably at the tight end position, where they signed veteran Jesse James from the Pittsburgh Steelers and followed up that move by drafting TJ Hockenson in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa.

With all of the improvements the Lions have made on both sides of the ball, it’s easy for undrafted guys to fly even further under the radar, but this team got some good ones.

Here are my top three.

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