In 2019, the Detroit Lions signed several undrafted free agents (UDFAs) to their team. These players were not selected in the NFL draft but were still given a chance to prove themselves on the field. In this article, we will take a closer look at these players and their salaries.
The UDFAs signed by the Lions in 2019 were: cornerback Jamal Agnew, wide receiver Tom Kennedy, defensive end Kevin Strong, tight end Nate Becker, linebacker Anthony Pittman, and center Beau Benzschawel. Each of these players came from different colleges and had varying levels of experience before joining the Lions.
Jamal Agnew: A Diamond in the Rough
One of the most successful UDFAs signed by the Lions in 2019 was cornerback Jamal Agnew. Agnew played college football at the University of San Diego and was relatively unknown in the NFL draft. However, he quickly made a name for himself in the Lions' organization.
Agnew's base salary for the 2019 season was $570,000, which is the league minimum for a rookie. Despite his low salary, Agnew was able to make a significant impact on the field. He played in all 16 games for the Lions, recording 14 tackles, one interception, and two passes defended. He also returned 23 punts for 189 yards and one touchdown.
Tom Kennedy: From Lacrosse to Football
Wide receiver Tom Kennedy had an unconventional path to the NFL. He played college lacrosse at Bryant University before transitioning to football in his senior year. Despite his lack of experience, Kennedy was able to impress the Lions enough to earn a spot on their roster.
Kennedy's base salary for the 2019 season was $495,000. He spent most of the season on the practice squad but was promoted to the active roster for the last game of the season. He did not record any stats in his lone appearance.
Kevin Strong: A Late Bloomer
Defensive end Kevin Strong played college football at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He was not considered a top prospect in the NFL draft but was able to catch the attention of the Lions during training camp.
Strong's base salary for the 2019 season was $495,000. He played in 15 games for the Lions, recording 13 tackles and one sack. While he did not have the most impressive stats, he was able to provide depth to the Lions' defensive line.
Nate Becker: A Versatile Tight End
Tight end Nate Becker played college football at Miami University. He was not a highly-touted prospect in the NFL draft but was able to showcase his versatility during training camp.
Becker's base salary for the 2019 season was $495,000. He spent most of the season on the practice squad but was promoted to the active roster for the last game of the season. He did not record any stats in his lone appearance.
Anthony Pittman: A Local Product
Linebacker Anthony Pittman played college football at Wayne State University, which is located in Detroit. He was not considered a top prospect in the NFL draft but was able to catch the attention of the Lions during training camp.
Pittman's base salary for the 2019 season was $495,000. He spent most of the season on the practice squad but was promoted to the active roster for one game. He did not record any stats in his lone appearance.
Beau Benzschawel: A Big Ten Standout
Center Beau Benzschawel played college football at the University of Wisconsin. He was a standout in the Big Ten conference but was not selected in the NFL draft. He was able to impress the Lions during training camp and earned a spot on their roster.
Benzschawel's base salary for the 2019 season was $495,000. He spent most of the season on the practice squad but was promoted to the active roster for one game. He did not record any stats in his lone appearance.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions were able to find some hidden gems in their 2019 UDFA signings. Jamal Agnew was able to make a significant impact on the field, while players like Tom Kennedy and Anthony Pittman were able to provide depth to the team. While the salaries of these players were relatively low, they were able to prove themselves and earn a spot on the Lions' roster. It will be interesting to see if any of these players can continue to develop and make an impact in the future.
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