Which Detroit Lions UDFAs Could Make An Impact In 2016?

The Detroit Lions have signed 15 undrafted free agents following the 2016 NFL Draft, some of whom could contribute both this season and beyond.

Out of the 15 undrafted free agents currently on the Detroit Lions roster, there are a few who stand out as having a chance to not only make the roster, but be a significant part of the team’s plans in 2016.

One of the best ways to determine a team’s interest in a UDFA is the bonus they offer him at signing. The Lions have signed several UDFAs to the 53-man roster over the past few seasons, and those players tended to garner signing bonuses of $10,000 or more. Players like tight end Joseph Fauria and offensive tackles LaAdrian Waddle and Cornelius Lucas signed larger-than-average UDFA deals and became significant contributors, even starting at times.

The Lions reportedly gave four of their signees bonuses after the draft this year, down from last year, when 11 signees received bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $12,000. Of the 2015 UDFA class, safety Isaiah Johnson (who received a $12,000 bonus) and running back Zach Zenner ($5,000) are still on the roster.

Perhaps the smaller number of bonuses given out this season is an indication of more serious interest in those players who received them than the other UDFA signings, or perhaps Bob Quinn is simply less optimistic about UDFAs than his predecessor Martin Mayhew. Either way, when attempting to predict which of these players could make the roster and make an impact this season, the signing bonus recipients are a good place to start.

Granted, in the grand scheme of the salary cap a few thousand dollars is not a huge investment nor does it incur much risk, but it still shows that the team believes in the potential of these athletes, and wanted to make sure that they signed with Detroit instead of going somewhere else.

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