Lions Sign Seven Draft Picks, 12 Undrafted Free Agents

The Detroit Lions announced that they’ve officially signed seven draft picks to contracts on Friday:

Rd	Player	Pos.	Note
1	Aidan Hutchinson	DE	Signed
1	Jameson Williams	WR	Signed
2	Josh Paschal	DE
3	Kerby Joseph	S	Signed
5	James Mitchell	TE	Signed
6	Malcolm Rodriguez	LB	Signed
6	James Houston IV	LB	Signed
7	Chase Lucas	CB	Signed

The Lions also signed 12 undrafted free agents to contracts including: 

1. RB Greg Bell – San Diego State
2. CB Cedric Boswell – Miami (Ohio)
3. TE Derrick Deese Jr. – San Jose State
4. T Obinna Eze – TCU
5. TE Nolan Givan – Southeastern Louisiana
6. G Kevin Jarvis – Michigan State
7. WR Josh Johnson – Tulsa
8. G Zein Obeid – Ferris State
9. WR Kalil Pimpleton – Central Michigan
10. WR Corey Sutton – Appalachian State
11. DL Demetrius Taylor – Appalachian State
12. CB Jermaine Waller – Virginia Tech

Hutchinson, 21, was a  three-year starter at Michigan. He finished second in the voting for the Heisman trophy, was a Consensus All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. The Lions used the No. 2 overall pick on him in the 2022 draft. 

Lance Zierlein compares him to former DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. 

He’s projected to sign a four-year, $35,713,386 contract that includes a $23,153,372. There is also a fifth-year option for the team to pick up in 2025.

During his four-year career at Michigan, Hutchinson recorded 156 total tackles, 27.5 for a loss, 17.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, two recoveries and 10 pass deflections in 36 career games.

Williams, 21, is considered among the best receivers available in this year’s draft. He was a first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC, and the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021. The Lions traded up and used the No. 12 overall pick on him in the 2022 draft. 

Williams needed surgery for a torn ACL sustained in the National Championship Game, but doctors expect the receiver to make a full recovery and retain his sub 4.3 speed.

Lance Zierlein compares him to veteran WR Will Fuller. 

He’s projected to sign a four-year, $17,461,789 contract that includes a $9,879,483. There is also a fifth-year option for the team to pick up in 2025.

During his three-year college career, Williams recorded 94 receptions for 1,838 yards (19.6 YPC) and 18 touchdowns, to go along with ten kickoff returns for 352 yards (35.2 YPR) and two touchdowns.