Detroit Lions: 3 potential undrafted rookie free agents to sign
By Bob Heyrman
Guard- Steven Gonzalez
Like any player we tag in this article, there is a chance Steven Gonzalez is selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. Still, if he’s passed over, he’s someone the Detroit Lions need to consider signing as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Gonzalez is a senior classman from Penn State; he’s blocked for a few excellent running backs, to say the least, during his college career. Gonzalez hopes to be the first Union City native since Frank Winters in 1987 to be selected in an NFL draft.
Standing at 6 foot 4, 340-pounds he’s a player the Detroit Lions shouldn’t shy away from especially having a suspect starting offensive line. At this point, Joe Dahl is scheduled to start at left guard, leaving an opening at right guard that will have a handful of players bidding for the job. Joshua Garnett, Oday Aboushi, Kenny Wiggins, Beau Benzschawel, and a rookie or two are expected to compete for both guard positions.
There is a chance the Detroit Lions decided to draft or trade for a tackle, in turn, sliding recently signed Halapoulivti Vaitai to a guard position. Vaitai can succeed as an NFL tackle or guard leaving the Lions with options.
Gonzalez is a powerful force that can handle blocking the massive NFL nose tackles across the league. He’s not very good in space and will struggle with interior speed-rushers. He’s not going to break any records when it comes to getting to the second level of the defense to block, but in Detroit’s scheme, he has the potential to be a backup mauler that will thrive in a power run scheme.
With Matthew Stafford under center Detroit’s offense is more of a downfield passing attack, but offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell loves to have a balanced attack. Imagine having two 340-pound linemen on the right side with Vaitai, if Gonzalez happened to play his way into the lineup. He’s someone Detroit should consider signing if he goes undrafted.