Detroit Lions UDFAs that are taking advantage of injured players

Injuries have rattled the Detroit Lions so far this season. The players who are stepping up are not the ones you would expect. They could, in turn, make other players expendable.

In the NFL, injuries are going to happen. For the Detroit Lions case, they got hit hard before training camp even started. With the injuries to Ziggy Ansah, Devon Kennard, and Cornelius Washington; it left the Lions thin to an already shaky front seven.

We have heard the next man up and do your job mentality from the Lions ever since Matt Patricia took over as head coach. Everyone would have anticipated a seasoned vet or a high draft pick to fill the vacant spot in the meantime. To the surprise of many, that wasn’t the case. Former undrafted free agents Alex Barrett and Jeremiah Valoaga were called up and are taking full advantage of the injuries.

Barrett and Valoaga both saw their ups and downs last season. They impressed the coaches enough to make the 53 man roster, but later into the season they were waived and signed to the practice squad. General Manager Bob Quinn must’ve seen something in them by signing both to a reserve/future contract earlier this year.

Alex Barrett

With the injury to Kennard, it was a matter of who was going to take over. Barrett surprised everyone by lining up with the first team defense the start of camp. With the same athletic profile, Barrett took over Kennard’s responsibilities as the Lions’ Jack linebacker.

That speaks volumes to the abilities and versatility he offers to this defense. He has lined up both at linebacker and defensive end through the first few days at camp. With how complex the scheme is going to be, Barrett is using valuable rep time to grasp the concept. If he already had the faith in the coaches to start camp on the first team, getting that time is only going to benefit him and help his cause in making the team.

Barrett was also praised in one of Coach Patricia’s press conferences. He talked about his athleticism, versatility, and football smarts. The one attribute he highlighted the most on was his “eye control and eye placement.”

Erik Schlitt from LionsWire highlighted eye control/placement is an underrated skill for someone who transitions from linebacker to defensive end, a likely the reason why Barrett is running with the first team.

We will have to wait and see where he sits once Kennard returns from injury, but right now Barrett is taking full advantage of Kennard’s absence and gaining the trust of the coaches. If I had to make a prediction, I think Barrett has a real good shot at making the team this year.