Detroit Lions: 3 potential undrafted rookie free agents to sign
By Bob Heyrman
Tight End: Sean McKeon
The Michigan Wolverines senior had shown positive flashes during his college career. Still, erratic quarterback play over his career, particularly the last two seasons, may account for Sean McKeon to go undrafted.
McKeon doesn’t have the makeup to be a starting NFL tight end, but with better play from Shea Patterson, he may have squeaked into the fifth or sixth round of the NFL draft. At this point, I expect McKeon to go undrafted, but perhaps he gets selected in the final round of the draft.
If he’s undrafted, he’s someone the Detroit Lions should consider signing as an undrafted free agent. The Lions are set to go with second-year tight end T.J. Hockenson who is poised to build on an outstanding rookie season. Hockenson has the potential to become a top ten tight end this season.
Behind Hockenson is veteran Jesse James, who struggled during his first year in Detroit. He hadn’t been productive catching the ball and was as disappointing as a blocker. His blocking success rate was the worst of his career.
The Detroit Lions also parted ways with Logan Thomas, who was very useful as the teams’ third tight end last season, leaving a spot for a rookie to compete with second-year tight end Isaac Nauta. After selecting Hockenson with a top-ten choice last season, don’t expect the Lions to spend a pick in the first four-rounds on a depth tight end.
McKeon is a 6 foot 5 tight end that plays around 245 pounds. McKeon didn’t contribute in the combine other than successfully completing 18 bench press reps.
McKeon made a craft out of corralling errant passes from Patterson with his large catch radius and soft hands. He has the ability to run block at the line of scrimmage successfully; something Detroit Lions tight ends are asked to do often.
In 2017, his most productive season, McKeon made 31 catches totaling 301 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore. The following season he caught 14 balls for 122 yards and one score in seven games. As a senior, McKeon only played in seven games again while capturing 13 balls totaling 235 yards and two touchdowns, good for an average of 18.1 yards per reception.
There is enough there to at least bring him into camp and take a closer look.