ALLEN PARK — Teams are not expected to sign as many undrafted rookies this year because the class of prospects is so small due to the pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped the Detroit Lions from reaching a few early agreements.
Arkansas State receiver Jonathan Adams Jr. is among the early notable players to sign with Detroit, according to multiple reports. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Adams is a big target who adds some much-needed size to a receiver group that just lost Kenny Golladay. And he used that size to rack up one of the most productive seasons in the country, catching 79 passes for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns. All those numbers ranked in the top five nationally.
But Adams is not a sudden athlete either, was among the NCAA leaders in dropped passes (11) and was once booked on a weapons charge on campus, although the charge was later dismissed. He’ll have to improve his reliability to have a shot to make a team that just signed receivers like Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, Damion Ratley and Kalif Raymond in free agency; spent a fourth-round pick on USC’s Amon-Ra St. Brown; and returns last year’s fifth-round pick, Quintez Cephus.
The rest of Detroit’s early UDFAs, according to various reporting:
D’Angelo Amos, S, Virginia: A former FCS All-American at James Madison who transferred to Virginia last season, appeared in all 10 games and made 10 starts. He made 47 tackles, including three for loss, and had two interceptions. At James Madison, he averaged 12.9 yards on 33 punt returns and scored one touchdown. His best chance at sticking to the Lions’ roster might be on special teams, whereAll-Pro return man Jamal Agnew is out.
Tavante Beckett, LB, Marshall: Originally enrolled at Virginia Tech, where was arrested on a felony charge of conspiring to distribute marijuana that was later reduced to a misdemeanor. He transferred to Marshall, where racked up 211 tackles in two years and was named first-team All-Conference USA both years. At 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, he’s a small linebacker with an unclear role.
Drake Johnson, C, Kentucky: A highly experienced center who played 2,940 offensive snaps in the Wildcats’ run-heavy offense. He’s the second former Kentucky offensive lineman to join the Lions in as many years, after Logan Stenberg was picked in the fourth round of last year’s draft. Stenberg has yet to play a snap for Detroit.
Dedrick Mills, RB, Nebraska: A 5-foot-9, 217-pound back who began his career at Georgia Tech before transferring to Nebraska for his final two seasons. Ran for 1,912 yards on 379 carries (5.0 avg) and scored 25 touchdowns. The Lions return top rusher D’Andre Swift and former second-round pick Kerryon Johnson, plus signed Jamaal Williams in free agency and selected Oregon State’s Jermar Jefferson in the seventh round of the draft.
AJ Parker, CB, Kansas State: An experienced corner who started 33 games and played in 40 overall. The 5-foot-9 Parker picked off six passes, defended 24 overall, scored one defensive touchdown and was named honorable-mention All-Big 12 in 2019. He’s expected to compete at slot cornerback, where the Lions are replacing Justin Coleman.
Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest: Another big receiver for the Lions, at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds. They already signed plenty of speed in free agency and added some toughness with Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round. Now they’re adding size after the draft in Surratt and Jonathan Adams. Surratt opted out of 2020, but caught 66 passes for 1,001 yards, 11 touchdowns and was named first-team All-ACC in his final season for the Demon Deacons.
Brock Wright, TE, Notre Dame: An excellent blocking tight end who measures 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds. Also caught seven passes for 78 yards and one touchdown in three seasons on the field for the Fighting Irish. Will compete for a job behind Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson and Josh Hill, who signed a free-agent deal to handle the blocking duties this year.
