The Lions selected five rookies in the draft. The 2024 competition’s administrators have expanded the roster to include 15 undrafted players. The following rookie free agents were signed by Detroit:
Williams received one of the largest guarantees in the league for an undrafted rookie. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the 5-9 speedster agreed to a $225K fixed base contract and a $15K signing bonus. Williams began his undergraduate career as a quarterback, but during the last three seasons, he has emerged as a key component of the Fighting Illini’s passing attack. The 180-pound wide receiver caught 82 catches in 2022 and 2023, setting a career high in 2023 with 1,055 yards and five touchdowns.
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Michael Badgley was the Lions’ kicker; he was re-signed earlier this offseason. When he came on Friday, the 28-year-old was Detroit’s only kicker; however, Turner will provide him with competition throughout the offseason. At Louisville, the latter made 79.7% of his field goals throughout his first four seasons. That figure rose to 85.7% with the Wolverines in 2023, when Turner converted all but one of his extra point kicks.
Like Williams, Chambers changed employment midway through his collegiate career. He was the Buckeyes’ starting running back in the beginning, yet he only had 28 carries in the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. After switching to linebacker, Chambers saw an increase in playing time, and over the past three seasons, he has made more tackles overall each season. With 208 stops, three sacks, and four interceptions under his belt, the 6-1, 220-pound player hopes to at least turn that production into a special teams opportunity in Detroit.
