Each offseason, gamers chosen within the NFL Draft obtain a ton of consideration. All the pieces from a participant’s background to their on-field efficiency to their contract is damaged down in immense element. On the identical time, each workforce provides a number of gamers by way of the undrafted free agent (UDFA) market—usually extra gamers than they draft—however these gamers usually get neglected or glossed over.
This further consideration to drafted gamers seemingly happens as a result of this group makes their preliminary rosters round 45% of the time—over 85% if drafted within the first three rounds—whereas undrafted gamers make their workforce’s preliminary roster solely round 9% of the time. That being mentioned, it’s essential to not low cost undrafted gamers’ possibilities of sticking round within the NFL as a result of UDFAs make up roughly 30% of groups’ 53-man rosters throughout the common season.
In 2025, not one of the Detroit Lions’ UDFA class made their 53-man roster—halting a 15-year streak of not less than one UDFA making the workforce’s preliminary roster—however they nonetheless started the season with 17 UDFA gamers on their lively roster (simply over 32%).
Instantly following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions signed 9 undrafted rookie free brokers, and whereas we have now damaged down their on-field talent units and potential, the complete particulars of every participant’s contract weren’t launched till very lately.
Right here’s a short overview of how these contracts work. The NFL’s base wage for rookies within the present season is $855,000; nevertheless, UDFAs can obtain a signing bonus and have a portion of their base wage assured as an incentive to affix a franchise.
When assigning signing bonuses, groups function on a set funds—the NFL units the workforce’s complete UDFA class allotment at round $206,000—but it surely’s solely as much as the franchise how a lot they spend on every participant and general. To additional entice gamers to affix their organizations, groups have lately begun guaranteeing parts of a participant’s base wage. With no restrictions on this follow, groups usually assure giant sums to persuade a participant to decide on them over one other workforce. Whereas this methodology might be advantageous, groups have to be cautious as a result of if a UDFA is launched from their contract at any level, the remaining assured cash counts in opposition to the workforce’s wage cap.
With this in thoughts, let’s have a look at the Lions’ 2026 UDFA class and the assured cash that was given to them of their contracts (by way of OverTheCap.com):
Whereas every rookie’s efficiency throughout OTAs and coaching camp will finally resolve their destiny, an exploration of their contracts (particularly the cash assured) may give us indicators of which gamers the Lions expect to problem for a spot on the roster.
Over the past 5 offseasons below this present Lions’ regime, normal supervisor Brad Holmes has given out a signing bonus of $20,000 (10% of their funds) simply six occasions. Nevertheless, on this UDFA cycle, Holmes gave out three contracts of not less than that quantity, together with a brand new excessive mark of $25,000 to linebacker Erick Hunter.
The Lions additionally set a brand new mark for complete ensures in a UDFA contract on this cycle, as defensive deal with Aidan Keanaaina ($267,500) and quarterback Luke Altmeyer ($257,500) each eclipsed final yr’s excessive (Jakobie Keeney-James: $254,000).
Whereas Priestly hasn’t gotten as a lot hype as the opposite three gamers talked about, his vital ensures aligns with a sample of Holmes being aggressive in buying UDFA offensive linemen. Kingsley Eguakun (2024), Connor Galvin (2023), and Obinna Eza (2022) all acquired a signing bonus of $20,000 and had probably the most assured cash of their respective Lions UDFA lessons. Of this group, solely Eguakun ($245,000) acquired extra ensures than Priestly.
Whereas securing giant ensures is usually a really advantageous place for a participant, Lions coaches at all times reward gamers who earn their spots, no matter their ensures. This strategy has made projecting the way forward for a UDFA extremely unpredictable, as we are able to see on this regime’s earlier UDFA lessons.
Eight of the Lions’ 12 UDFAs from 2025 nonetheless play within the NFL at the moment (90-man rosters); nevertheless, solely 4 of these gamers stay in Detroit. One participant has moved on to the Canadian Soccer League, whereas two have elected to enter the teaching ranks—a typical theme all through the Holmes’ UDFA class, which definitely illustrates how the Lions choose to focus on gamers who love soccer and perceive the sport at a excessive stage.
Coming into final season’s coaching camp, eight of the Lions’ 15 UDFAs from 2024 had been nonetheless on the roster. Sadly, that quantity has been lowered to simply two gamers who nonetheless stay in Detroit, as home windows shut rapidly on UDFAs after one full season with the workforce. It’s additionally value noting that each remaining gamers had been additionally close to the underside of this class in ensures.
The Lions signed 16 UDFAs in 2024 and added a tryout participant following rookie minicamp, however solely two stay from this class as properly. Like 2024, each gamers had been close to the underside of their class in ensures, but they’ve earned sturdy roles on the roster on account of their work ethic and efficiency. Take discover of how the variety of gamers not enjoying soccer continues to extend the additional away from their rookie season.
Not solely is there not a single participant from the 2022 UDFA class nonetheless on the Lions roster, however simply Obinna Eze, the participant with probably the most ensures on this cycle, caught round for multiple season.
Just one UDFA stays from Holmes’ preliminary class (2021), however Brock Wright has gone on to earn a second contract with the workforce.
Will the Lions discover one other diamond within the tough with their 2026 UDFA class? Or will the depth of a championship-caliber roster squeeze this class out for the second season in a row? We’ll discover out in coaching camp.
