After a short break after the draft I am back!
The Lions however didn't take any such break and wasted no time in signing a number of rookie undrafted free agents and making a few cuts to ensure they came under the roster limit of 90.
The new signings are:
Luke Sellers (FB, South Dakota State)
Hunter Bryant (TE, Washington)
Jalen Elliott (S, Notre Dame)
Bobby Price (S, Norfolk State)
Jeremiah Dinson (CB/S, Auburn)
Arryn Siposs (P, Auburn)
Steve Wirtel (LS, Iowa State).
And those released were:
Tra Carson RB
James Fisher LS
Casey Tucker G
Matt Wile P.
Luke Sellers (6'1, 250lbs) is a blocking full back who was a 2019 team captain at South Dakota State. He played 40 games in college, with 4 total rushes for 7 yards, and 1 reception for an 8-yard TD. He also returned 4 kicks at an average of 13.5 yards per return. He will compete with Nick Bawden and Isaac Nauta for a roster spot but I think will likely be released or end up clearing waivers to the practice squad before the start of the season.
Hunter Bryant (6'2, 248lbs) was one of the most highly rated TEs in the 2020 draft, and most pundits were very surprised he went undrafted (NFL.com anticipated round 4-5). Mainly a receiving tight end operating from the slot in college, his lack of blocking ability and injury history seems to have counted against him given the special nature of this draft. He played 26 games at Washington, with 85 receptions for 1,394 yards at 16.4 ypc and 5 TDs.
He will compete for a roster spot with Isaac Nauta at TE3 or may replace Nick Bawden if Nauta makes the roster as a FB.
Jalen Elliott (6'0, 205lbs) was a high school quarterback but was transitioned to safety at college. He was a 3 year starter at Notre Dame, playing in 44 games, with 172 total tackles (96 solo) and 6 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. He's an athletic player but has limitations in coverage and will likely compete to be on the roster as a special teamer.
Bobby Price (6'4, 205lbs) is potentially the most interesting signing on the list. A football and track star at high school, has one of the highest RAS scores I've ever seen (https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB13jpfK.img?h=768&w=1080&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f). In short, he has great agility, elite explosion, elite size and elite speed. He's a raw talent with obvious gaps in his football IQ, but I'd love to see how he could play in 2 or 3 years time after training with the pros.
Jeremiah Dinson (5'11, 189lbs) is a high football IQ player who is limited by his relatively slow speed and size. He will struggle to make the active roster and will likely find himself on the practice squad this year.
Arryn Siposs (6'2, 213lbs) is a former professional Aussie rules kicker who can do things like this: (https://twitter.com/7VFL/status/909289089035145222). Playing in Aussie rules mandates being able to kick accurately under pressure and tackling ability and so appears a to be a perfect fit as an NFL punter, but his college career at Auburn saw him start 26 games with an average kick of 44 yards per attempt which doesn't set the world alight. He'll be competing along with Jack Fox and potentially other free agents for a roster spot.
Steve Wirtel (6'4, 235lbs) was the consensus best long snapper in the draft but will find it hard going against the Lions legend Don Mulbach for a roster spot.
I'm really excited by the potential high ceilings for Hunter Bryant, Bobby Price and Arryn Siposs after this round of signings who could all find themselves on the roster.
How do you think we did with the above? Would you have kept any of those cut instead of these signings? Let me know here, or on twitter @roarofthelions1
Ash, thank you so much for doing these. You and the rest of the ROTL UK gang are fantastic!
Greetings, I was glad to listen to your interesting interview. The season went really well. I liked the quality of your broadcast, which application did you use for this? Is it on this list? I just want to do live broadcasts