Breaking down the Detroit Lions 2025 UDFA class

Taking a closer look at what the Detroit Lions are getting in their 2025 undrafted free agent rookie class.

In addition to the seven selected players in the 2025 NFL Draft , the Detroit Lions have also reportedly added another 11 rookies to their roster from the undrafted free agent (UDFA) market.

This year’s UDFA class comes in twos. Amongst this class, Lions general manager Brad Holmes targeted a pair of running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, and defensive backs.

This doubled-up dart-throwing approach matches what we saw from Holmes last offseason, as the roster becomes more complete and needs become more specific. Despite the roster filling up with talent, this approach worked in 2024, as two UDFAs made the initial roster, four saw playing time during the regular season, and seven were retained on this year’s 90-man roster .

Kye Robichaux, RB, Boston College

5-foot-11 ¹⁄₂, 209 pounds

After two seasons at Western Kentucky (four starts over 22 games), Robichaux transferred to Boston College and started 18 of his final 24 collegiate games, producing 1,524 rushing yards on 338 carries (4.5 YPC) and 18 touchdowns.

Strengths

• Relentless downhill runner who brings power to contact
• Reliable, versatile option in short yardage/goal line scenarios (six of seven touchdowns last season were within the 5-yard line)
• NFL-level contact balance and vision to find holes in the line
• Effective pass catcher with reliable hands (24 catches for 152 yards and a TD in 2024)
• Above-average pass-blocking, both in effort and technique

Weaknesses

• Provides value in committee but not as an RB1
• Limited explosive play ability and top speed
• Runs to contact, which further slows him down and limits YAC

Anthony Tyus, RB, Ohio

6-foot-1, 220 pounds

A Portage, Michigan native, Tyus spent three seasons at Northwestern (one start over 31 games) before transferring to Ohio as a senior and starting 13 games, registering 1,215 rushing yards on 237 carries (5.1 YPC) and nine touchdowns.

Strengths

• 1-cut, powerful downhill banger
• Smoother change of direction than you’d expect for a bigger back
• Adequate burst forward with some shake to get outside when holes are clogged
• Physical blocker in all phases
• Decent hands, tracks the ball well (16 receptions for 137 yards and two TDs in 2024)

Weaknesses

• Runs too high, making him a large target for defenders
• Moderate long speed (think David Montgomery-esque)

Jackson Meeks, WR, Syracuse

6-foot-2, 213 pounds
Contract guarantees: $20,000 signing bonus and $180,000 of his base salary (source )

After three seasons of playing a reserve role at Georgia (no starts over 36 games), Meeks transferred to Syracuse as a senior and stepped into a starting role. He played predominantly on the outside at Syracuse and secured 78 catches for 1,021 receiving yards over 13 games. While he didn’t play specifically at one spot in college, Meeks has the frame for the WR-X role, which is where he will likely compete in Detroit.

Strengths:

• Physical in all phases of the game, including vs. press and at the catch point
• Presents large catch radius, ability to adjust to poor throws,
• Threatens defense over the middle and in red zone with physicality and strong hands
• Ultra-competitive run blocker (PFF run block grade: 75.5) with tone-setting skills
• Above-average special teams skills, plays through whistle

Weaknesses:

• Too much wasted movement
• Lacks vertical speed/YAC, which will limit positional range in the NFL
• Telegraphs route breaks, which makes creating route separation difficult

Jakobie Keeney-James, WR, Massachusetts

5-foot-11 ¹⁄₂, 190 pounds

After four seasons at Eastern Washington (nine starts over 37 games), Keeney-James transferred to UMass as a senior and started 11 of 12 games, registering 50 receptions for 839 yards and six touchdowns—all team highs.

Strengths

• Electric speed and explosion (4.37/1.54-second 40/10-yard split, RAS: 9.58)
• WR-Z who prefers vertical assignments but has the route tree range
• Quick releases and crisp routes, which will set up killer double-moves
• Willing blocker with special teams experience
• Very confident — “Whatever team drafts me, they’re getting an all-time receiver for their organization,” Keeney-James told the New England Football Journal ahead of the draft . “Whether that’s winning a Super Bowl or all-time receiver or a captain. I’m looking to do it all, but I’m willing to make the sacrifices to be successful.”

Weaknesses

• Just one year of production
• Lower level of competition
• Lacks experience but has the foundation to build if the team can be patient

Caden Prieskorn, TE, Mississippi

6-foot-6, 246 pounds
Contract guarantees: $15,000 signing bonus and $60,000 of his base salary (source )

A Lake Orion, Michigan native, Prieskorn was a high school quarterback who began his college career at Fork Union Military Academy. He transferred to Memphis (13 starts over 29 games) and switched to tight end before transferring to Mississippi in 2023. For the Rebels, Prieskorn started 20 of 23 games as their Flex-TE and made 27 receptions—including going 11 of 13 on contested catches—for 401 yards and three touchdowns.

Strengths:

• Very reliable hand catcher with legitimate hand strength and hand-eye coordination
• Tracks the ball down the seam and on out routes with a keen awareness of surroundings
• Large frame gives his quarterback a wide target vs. zone and on contested catches
• More of an occupier than a finisher as a blocker but does enough to be effective
• Mature, demeanor with two young children at home

Weaknesses:

• Average speed (4.77 40-yard dash) limits ability to make an impact downfield
• Average agility limits YAC, blocking in space
• Will turn 26 during his rookie season (Seven years in college after transfer/COVID years)

Zach Horton, TE/FB, Indiana

6-foot-3 ¹⁄₂, 251 pounds

After three seasons at James Madison (18 starts over 28 games), Horton transferred to Indiana in 2024 and produced 21 receptions for 189 yards and four touchdowns. While he has experience lining up inline and in the slot, Horton’s body type matches that of an H-back/fullback, where he also has some experience.

Strengths

• Experience as an H-B/FB, TE-Y, inline, and will split out in bunch sets
• Solid first step to get open in the flat or on a quick seem
• Good run blocker (PFF run blocking grade: 66.3) with solid technique and drive
• Can easily reach second level on blocks
• Tough and physical player overall with high effort in all phases

Weaknesses

• Lacks ideal playing height for tight end. He plays very low.
• Decent skills in pass protection (PFF pass blocking grade: 61.9) but could struggle in NFL
• Needs to improve receiving skills/route running, even though he will make occasional highlight catch

Mason Miller, OL, North Dakota State

6-foot-6 ¹⁄₂, 306 pounds
Contract guarantees: $10,000 signing bonus and $20,000 of his base salary (source )

Over his five years at North Dakota State, Miller started 42 of his 57 games played, including starts at right tackle (30) and left guard (12). Miller spent four years (2020-23) developing under then-offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl, who is currently the Lions tight end coach. In 2024, Miller started every game at right tackle and earned PFF grades of 79.9 (pass blocking) and 74.9 (run blocking), as well as an 8.07 RAS during offseason training.

Strengths

• Experience playing tackle and guard will help him find the right positional fit in NFL
• Played all five spots at College Gridiron Showcase All-Star game to show versatility
• Hard-nosed and experienced lineman
• Finishes blocks with authority in run game, wants to bury people
• Disciplined footwork and strength enable him to effectively anchor in pass-pro

Weaknesses

• Difficult to ascertain with limited film, will learn more with in-person scouting

Leif Fautanu, C, Arizona State

6-foot-1, 298 pounds

After starting two and a half years at UNLV starting at center, Fautanu transferred to Arizona State and started another two seasons at center for the Sun Devils. With 54 starts at center under his belt, he is the second most experienced player in this draft class at the pivot. Fautanu’s career is full of accolades, including being ASU’s offensive MVP in 2023 (ahead of Cam Skattebo, who won in 2024), a 2024 second-team Walter Camp All-American , and was a 2024 Finalist for Polynesian College Player of the Year .

Strengths

• Multiple years of experience calling protections and adjusting blocking pre-snap
• Quick first step that allows him to get out in front on outside zone and pulls
• Unusual length (34-inch arm length) for a center, helps him recover from mistakes
• Didn’t allow a sack in 2024
• Leadership, character, work ethic, and resilience are exceptional – “The leadership Leif brings is bar none,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham told NFL Network … “He’s everything you want in a center, from an intangible standpoint. On top of that, if you’re a good athlete, like he is, and have the arm length as a recovery tool, I think that has helped him become a leader (who) can perform well on Saturdays. He put in the work.”

Weaknesses

• Difficult to ascertain with limited film, will learn more with in-person scouting

Keith Cooper Jr., EDGE, Houston

6-foot-3, 280 pounds
Contract guarantees: $20,000 signing bonus and $125,000 of his base salary (source )

After three years at Tulane, Cooper followed his defensive coordinator to Houston for his senior season. Cooper was a high school linebacker turned pass rusher-to-defensive tackle convert before settling in as a big edge rusher in 2024. Throughout his college career, Cooper played 12 games at outside linebacker, 13 at defensive tackle (three starts), and 26 at defensive end (25 starts). In 2024, Cooper accounted for 46 tackles (career high), 29 pressures, four sacks (team lead), 9 TFL, and 25 “run stops.”

Strengths

• Big frame is loaded with power, which he unleashes via his bull rush
• Doesn’t get stuck on blocks, allowing him to stay free against the run
• Could provide a spark as an interior pass rusher
• Consistent developer who is still growing as a player
• Blocked field goal on special teams

Weaknesses

• Lacks the athleticism of most DEs (RAS: 3.30)
• Sized himself out of OLB range (just one cover snap in 2024)
• Lacks options for pass rush moves

Gavin Holmes, CB, Texas

5-foot-11 ¹⁄₄, 178 pounds

After three seasons at Wake Forest (14 starts over 27 games), Holmes transferred to Texas for his final two years of eligibility—though he would only play in a reserve role, starting just two of his 30 games played for the Longhorns.

Strengths

• Legitimate long speed, plays even faster than his 4.45 40-yard dash
• Press-man and off-man experience
• Speed and confidence allows him to play on an island
• Experience playing in both outside corner spots
• Trusted by his teammates: “He’s a heck of a ballplayer,” Broncos first-round pick Jahdae Barron said in September . “We were doing some drills today at practice and stuff like that, and I’m trying to do some releases against him. And he’s really a heck of a ballplayer. He’s always dialed in. Gavin Holmes is somebody I can trust beside me.”

Weaknesses

• Outside-only skill set, agility skills are average at best
• Unrefined ball skills, only two career interceptions, with most recent coming in 2021
• Lacks punt coverage experience (only saw snaps on punt return and kick coverage/return), making earning a gunner role an uphill battle

Ian Kennelly, S, Grand Valley State

6-foot-2, 209 pounds

From Macomb, Michigan, Kennelly spent his entire collegiate career at GVSU, playing in 49 games. Along the way, Kennelly was recognized as GVSU’s 2024 Player of the Year, First-Team All-GLIAC (2023 and 2024), and a 2024 DIV-2 All-American (Elite 100). Kennelly attended the Lions’ local pro day, and his performance earned additional meeting time with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.

“It’d be a dream come true,” Kennelly told the OLV Raiders Network about potentially ending up with the Lions. “You couldn’t draw it up any better. And playing for Coach Campbell, right? He seems like such a football guy; how would you not want to play for that guy? And then the way their season ended last year, going 15-2 and losing in the first round of the playoffs—that team (feels like) they have a lot left to prove, and to be a part of that would be special.”

Strengths

• Experience playing at single-high, in two-deep, and in the slot
• Rangy athlete (RAS: 9.06) with terrific agility
• Super ball skills, eight career interceptions, 19 PBU, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and a blocked kick
• Downhill run defender with 180 career tackles
• A “football player” with NFL Bloodlines: Nephew of Stuart Schweigert, who played for the Lions in 2008.

Weaknesses

• Lower level of competition
• Slow developer, may need time to acclimate to the NFL level of play