Detroit Lions sign 12 undrafted free agents: Get to know the class of 2022
The Detroit Lions, after spending most of April's NFL draft fortifying their defense, announced their 12-member undrafted rookie class Friday, a group that leans heavily towards the offensive side of the ball.
The Lions, who hold rookie minicamp Friday through Sunday in Allen Park, signed three receivers, three offensive linemen and two tight ends among the group. All 12 players are expected on the field this weekend.
Here is the Lions' 2022 UDFA class:
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RB Greg Bell, San Diego State: Well-traveled running back who started his college career at Arizona Western Community College and played briefly at Nebraska, before rushing for 1,091 yards and nine TDs for Aztecs last season.
DB Cedric Boswell, Miami (Ohio): A Birmingham Groves alum, Boswell started two seasons at cornerback for the Redhawks and had his first career interception last year.
TE Derrick Deese Jr., San Jose State: The son of former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Derrick Deese Sr., Deese Jr. caught 47 passes for 730 yards last season.
OT Obinna Eze, TCU: Raw but athletic tackle prospect with 36 1/8-inch arms. Eze started two seasons at left tackle for Memphis before finishing his career at TCU.
TE Nolan Givan, Southeastern Louisiana: One of three metro Detroit products in the Lions' UDFA class, Givan (from Berkley) played three seasons at Ball State and one at San Diego State before a 40-catch season last year.
OL Kevin Jarvis, Michigan State: Versatile lineman who started 25 career games at right guard, 11 at right tackle and three at left tackle.
WR Josh Johnson, Tulsa: Iowa State transfer had 1,114 yards and six receiving touchdowns while playing primarily out of the slot last season.
OL Zein Obeid, Ferris State: A two-year starter at tackle for Ferris State, Obeid helped the Bulldogs finish fifth in the country in rushing (280.1 ypg) and win the Division II national championship last fall.
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WR Kalil Pimpleton, Central Michigan: The reigning Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, Pimpleton played three seasons at CMU after transferring from Virginia Tech.
WR Corey Sutton, Appalachian State: A transfer from Kansas State, Sutton tore his ACL in 2019 and sat out the COVID season of 2020 before catching 61 passes for 904 yards last year.
DT Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State: A three-time first-team All-Sun Belt selection, Taylor had 26.5 sacks and three blocked kicks in his career.
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CB Jermaine Waller, Virginia Tech: A productive cornerback with three interceptions in 2019 and four picks last season, Waller missed most of 2020 with a foot injury and ran a 4.68-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.