Lions Sign 11 Undrafted Free Agents, Release Eight Players
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Lions signed 11 undrafted free agents — including seven offensive players — and also released eight players Monday.
As far as the departures, from the offense the Lions jettisoned center Sherman Carter, tight end Matt Veldman and wide receivers Carlin Isles (the heralded rugby player) and Cody Wilson. From the defense, Detroit parted ways with linebacker Jon Morgan, cornerback Nate Ness and safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. The Lions also released kicker John Potter.
The group of undrafted free agents the Lions signed includes three defensive backs - Jerome Couplin of William & Mary, Gabe Lynn of Oklahoma, and Mohammed Seisay of Nebraska. The Detroit secondary has been the subject of much scrutiny after the Lions finished 2013 in the bottom third of the NFL in pass yards allowed. The Lions filled one secondary need when they signed safety James Ihedigbo in late March to replace Louis Delmas. Many fans hoped the Lions would draft a cornerback this weekend, and Detroit eventually did just that, albeit in the fourth round.
Detroit also signed Missouri quarterback James Franklin, who could compete with veteran Dan Orlovsky - whom the Lions drafted in 2005 and who played under new Lions head coach Jim Caldwell when both were in Indianapolis - for the backup job.
2014 UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS
Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | College | Hometown |
Chad Abram | FB | 6-0 | 229 | Florida State | Lakeland, Fla. |
Alex Bullard | G | 6-2 | 302 | Tennessee | Franklin, Tenn. |
Jerome Couplin | DB | 6-2 | 215 | William & Mary | Upper Marlboro, Md. |
James Franklin | QB | 6-2 | 230 | Missouri | Corinth, Texas |
Justin Jackson | LB | 6-1 | 230 | Wake Forest | Rockingham, N.C. |
Cornelius Lucas | T | 6-9 | 328 | Kansas State | New Orleans, La. |
Gabe Lynn | DB | 6-0 | 204 | Oklahoma | Tulsa, Okla. |
Jacob Maxwell | TE | 6-4 | 240 | Louisiana Lafayette | Pearl River, La. |
D.J. Morrell | G | 6-6 | 325 | Old Dominion | Norwalk, Conn. |
Andrew Peacock | WR | 5-10 | 190 | Appalachian State | Durham, N.C. |
Mohammed Seisay | DB | 6-2 | 200 | Nebraska | Springfield, Va. |