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Which Detroit Lions UDFAs Could Make An Impact In 2016?

By Colton Wesley

Oct 26, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Detroit Lions tackle and 2014 UDFA Cornelius Lucas (77) against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Detroit Lions tackle and 2014 UDFA Cornelius Lucas (77) against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ian Wells
Sep 13, 2014; Huntington, WV, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd wide receiver Craig Wilkins (81) reaches for a pass against Ohio Bobcats cornerback Ian Wells (41) in the first half at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Other 2016 UDFAs

There are ten other players in the Lions UDFA class, but most of them will face a serious uphill battle to make the team this season, either because of the depth the Lions already have at their positions or because of the presence of more intriguing rookies on the roster.

The Lions signed three UDFA defensive linemen after taking A’Shawn Robinson and Anthony Zettel in the draft. They also signed two UDFA tight ends other than Cole Wick and two UDFA defensive backs after drafting Miles Killebrew and signing Adairius Barnes to a bonus.

That does not mean, of course, that none of these guys have a chance. Former Ohio cornerback Ian Wells has a work ethic that is off the charts. In a piece about which UDFAs have the best chance to make the Lions’ roster, Alex Reno suggests that defensive linemen James DeLoach from Georgia and Deonte Gibson from Northwestern could compete for Jason Jones‘ old role at closed defensive end. Michael Rothstein of ESPN points out that Jace Billingsley led Eastern Oregon in rushing, receiving and kick returns each of the past two seasons.

Next: Chad Ford Connects 7 Players To Detroit Pistons

Most of these players will probably end up being camp participants who will look to latch on to the practice squad or perhaps with another team after final cuts in August. In the meantime, they will look to impress their current coaching staff and try to move up the depth chart.

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