Cam Garrity
April 30, 2022 8:19 pm ET
The 2022 NFL Draft is over and the Detroit Lions have selected a total of eight players, bringing their roster to 87, leaving three open UDFA spots. This page will be updated with UDFAs that agree to terms with the Lions.
Lions 2022 Draft Class:
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE
Jameson Williams, WR
Josh Paschal, EDGE
Kerby Joseph, S
James Mitchell, TE
Malcolm Rodriguez, LB
James Houston, LB
Chase Lucas, CB
UDFA Signings:
Kalil Pimpelton, WR, Central Michigan
Pimpleton lists in at 5’9, 175lbs, and caught 62 passes for 960 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Chippewas in 2021. He was projected throughout the draft to become a UDFA, and the Lions bring in an intriguing slot receiver with great quickness. He posted a 6.93 in the three-cone drill, which speaks volumes about his short-area quickness.
Former Central Michigan WR Kalil Pimpleton is signing with the #Lions, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 30, 2022
First UDFAs added* by the Lions
*reportedly pic.twitter.com/aFGKpIoC6l
— John Whiticar (@Whiticar) April 30, 2022
Demetrius Taylor, DT, Appalachian State
Demtrius is a little undersized, but worth the look. Here is his career outlook from Appalachian State Sports’ Website: “First-team All-Sun Belt honors in each of his last three seasons … No. 4 in App State history in career sacks (26.5) … PFF College Preseason All-American (honorable mention) in 2021 … Sun Belt’s best pass rusher from Lindy’s … Played in 65 career games (only missing the first game of his true freshman season) and made 39 starts (37 straight to end career) … National defensive player of the week for his performance in a win at North Carolina in 2019 (first FBS player this millennium with 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble return for a TD and an INT in the same game) … 2021 watch lists for Walter Camp Player of the Year, Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award … Totaled 136 tackles, 26.5 sacks, 45.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, three blocked kicks, 10 passes defended and one interception … In five seasons, App State went 52-14 with three Sun Belt titles (2017-19), an additional Sun Belt East Division title (2021) and four bowl wins (2017-20).”
Appalachian State defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor to the Detroit Lions, per a league source.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 30, 2022
🚨 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙀𝘿 🚨
Congrats to DE @Latron_ on signing with the Detroit @Lions!
🔗 https://t.co/mKRCCmizPp#GoApp #AppStateNFL pic.twitter.com/UHWmt5XPiC
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) April 30, 2022
Greg Bell, RB, San Diego State
Greg Bell’s NFL.com bio reads: “Bell began his collegiate career at Arizona Western Community College, where he was a two-time first-team junior college All-American and was ranked among the top 20 JUCO recruits in the country. The California native signed with Nebraska, but after just four games (three starts, 35-173-4.9 rushing; 4-14-3.5 receiving), decided to transfer. Head coach Scott Frost blocked him from going to Big Ten schools, non-conference opponents and Oregon State (with multiple Huskers transferring there due to their quarterly calendar). Bell returned home to San Diego for the 2019 season but was forced to redshirt after a freak training accident nearly cost him the sight in his right eye. His 2020 vision appeared just fine, as he attained second-team All-Mountain West status after leading the Aztecs with 637 rushing yards and six scores on 113 carries (5.6 per). He also caught 11 passes for 114 yards (10.4 per) and a touchdown. Bell was again a second-team selection in 2021 with team highs in rushing yards and touchdowns (245-1,091-4.5, nine TDs; 4-5-1.3 receiving in 14 games, 13 starts).”
Here is what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has to say about the 5’10 running back: “Undersized early-down running back lacking desired third down or special teams value. Bell, who will be 24 years old by the start of the 2022 season, saw his path to the NFL Scouting Combine delayed by a very serious eye injury that he has since overcome. He’s resilient and a dedicated worker and carries that mentality with him in San Diego State’s outside zone attack. Bell runs with good vision and plenty of courage but may not get much more than is blocked for him as a pro. His comeback story is a great one, but without special teams or third-down value, the deck could be stacked against him.”
Former San Diego State standout running back Greg Bell is expected to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the Detroit Lions, a source tells @On3sports https://t.co/paQJcWVXl8
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 30, 2022
Obinna Eze, LT, TCU
Eze is an interesting prospect, here is what NFL.com put for his introduction “Eze is a native of Nigeria, originally coming to the U.S. to play basketball after gaining notice from American high schools while playing on a Nigerian AAU team. He played varsity football as a senior at Nashville’s Davidson Academy (playing JV as a junior due to transfer rules) but was still rated among the top tackle recruits nationally, choosing Memphis over Alabama (who offered him even before he played varsity ball) and other major programs. He played in six games as a reserve as a redshirt freshman for the Tigers in 2018 and then started all 14 games at left tackle in 2019 and all 11 games there in 2020. Eze transferred to TCU for 2021, where he started all 12 games at left tackle.”
Told TCU LT Obinna Eze is expected to sign with Detroit Lions as undrafted free agent.
— Drew Davison (@drewdavison) April 30, 2022
Corey Sutton, WR, Appalachian State
Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson called him “the sun belt’s most dangerous deep threat.”
Here are some pros from SI.com’s “The NFL Draft Bible.”:
“Outside wide receiver with good size and above-average speed to get on top of cornerbacks. A long strider, his step frequency is low. Sutton plays with active hands to beat the punch of press coverage defenders and get hands out of his frame and hip pocket downfield. Strong hands allow him to pluck the ball away from his frame.”
🚨 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙀𝘿 🚨
Congrats to WR @coreysutton1997 on signing with the Detroit @Lions!
🔗 https://t.co/4GMpHJHVnE#GoApp #AppStateNFL pic.twitter.com/9DbiE1ONdB
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) April 30, 2022
Greg Bell, RB, San Deigo State
Derrick Deese Jr., TE, San Jose State
Kevin Jarvis, OL, Michigan State
Camp Invitees:
Zein Obeid, OL, Ferris State
Connor Sampson, QB, Western Illinois
