With rookie minicamp done, the Detroit Lions continue to reshuffle their 90-man roster ahead of OTAs later this month. On Monday, the Lions signed three players and cut undrafted free-agent tight end Caden Pierskorn.
On Tuesday, Detroit signed rookie defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr., a tryout player, and parted ways with undrafted free agent offensive lineman Leif Fautanu.
#Lions have signed DL Keith Cooper and waived OL Leif Fautanu. pic.twitter.com/eTEMxS1TbA
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 13, 2025
Lions Waived Leif Fautanu on Tuesday
After the 2025 NFL Draft was completed, the Lions immediately signed the former Arizona State lineman. Fautanu was one of 10 players Detroit signed in the undrafted free-agent period.
One Pride ‼️@FautanuLeif has signed with the @Lions #ProDevils /// #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/TFVkTwPWHU
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) April 27, 2025
The 6-foot-2, 315-pound center started in 47 straight games and played 3,329 snaps with the Sun Devils and at UNLV. Last season at Arizona State, Fautanu showed why he was one of the best centers in the country.
He had an 89.3 pass blocking grade (the best among any FBS center), allowed four pressures (min. 250 pass block snaps), and a 1.2 pressure allowed percentage (ninth-best among FBS centers).
Despite playing well at ASU, Fautanu had an uphill climb to make the Lions’ 53-man roster. The Lions were already well stocked at the center spot heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Detroit re-signed Michael Niese and Kingsley Eguakun to reserve/future deals to compete for the backup center job behind Frank Ragnow. It also didn’t help that the Lions reportedly had fellow rookie Tate Ratledge taking center snaps, which wasn’t a good sign for Fautanu.
The Lions took Ratledge in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, he wasn't a center in college as he made 37 starts at right guard with the Georgia Bulldogs.
The rookie offensive lineman’s football journey isn’t over yet. He can still latch on with a new team before training camp begins in the summer. 90-man rosters, including the Lions, will change over several weeks and months.