The Detroit Lions have not only assembled a strong draft class this year, but their bunch of undrafted rookies also appears to be rather promising.
Tight end Brock Wright represents a significant UDFA success story for the Lions. Making the team in 2021 and playing an important role.
This year, there are plenty of undrafted rookies that could make the Lions team. Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report has singled out one in particular.
“Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is all about adding toughness. Offense, defense, it doesn’t matter. While an ankle injury limited Florida center Kingsley Eguakun last season, his five years of experience in the SEC should give him the potential to crack the Lions’ roster. He should showcase well in isolated opportunities at the pivot spot. Eguakun is a calculated puncher with his hands, and he has the mobility to pull from the interior. He could quickly work his way up the Lions’ depth chart.”
Eguakun started 30 games for the Gators over the last three seasons, despite being slowed by an ankle injury last season. He comes to the league as an intriguing prospect, and he probably would’ve been drafted if not for the injury.
Kingsley Eguakun has long road to make Lions’ roster
In order to have a good shot at cracking the roster, Eguakun will likely have to make the practice squad first.
The Lions’ offensive line starters are set for this year, and there’s a lot of depth/competition for roster spots behind them.
There’s the Frank Ragnow angle. The Lions’ three-time Pro Bowl center has had some serious injury troubles in recent seasons, but Eguakun could be Detroit’s center of the future. However, Ragnow has made no indication that he intends to retire before his contract expires at the end of the 2026 season.
There will be time for Eguakun to show that he belongs with the Lions. For the time being, it appears that he will face stiff competition to make the 53-man roster as a rookie.