The Detroit Lions are gearing up for an increase in OTAs next week as “Phase Two” kicks off, marking the first opportunity for the entire team to engage in on-field activities together this offseason, with only rookie minicamp having occurred thus far.
The Lions have made significant investments in several undrafted rookies, including wide receiver Isaiah Williams, who received $225,000 in guaranteed money. This underscores the belief that he likely deserved to be drafted, especially after concluding his career at Illinois with back-to-back seasons of 82 catches each. Last season, he led the Big Ten in receptions and ranked second in receiving yards.
However, Williams is undersized at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds, and posted a 4.63-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. Being small and slower can be a disadvantage, causing NFL teams to overlook on-field performance in college.
According to Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, Williams’ agent indicated that more than 20 teams were interested in signing him as an undrafted free agent.
So why did Williams choose the Lions? The rookie’s reasoning resonates with current trends.
“This culture fits me. I’m not a Hollywood-type dude,” Williams said. “I’m not that type of player. I’m going to go out there and grind with a dog mentality. I feel like that’s Detroit through and through, gritty. That’s how I play the game, that’s my approach to the game. This was the perfect fit.”
If the evaluation of “too small and too slow” sounds familiar, it should. It’s what caused Amon-Ra St. Brown to drop to the fourth round of the 2021 draft, where he was the 17th wide receiver taken. It likely also contributed to fellow Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond going undrafted in 2016.
St. Brown and Raymond are known for their hard work on the Lions’ roster, exemplified by their famous post-practice routine with the JUGS machine, which Williams observed during rookie minicamp.
“Established and accomplished veterans, St. Brown and Raymond weren’t on the field for this weekend’s rookie minicamp. Still, the familiar post-practice whir of the JUGS machine, and the repetitive thud of a football hitting receivers’ hands was present. A half-hour of extra work after his first practice as a member of the Lions, undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams finally left the field.”
Williams’ agent, via Rogers, encouraged him to watch Raymond’s tape to see how an undrafted and undersized receiver can make an impact in the NFL. Williams also draws inspiration from St. Brown’s journey.
“Seeing how Amon-Ra was also a guy that ran a 4.6 — not the tallest guy — but on the field, he obviously plays faster,” Williams said. “He’s a ball player. He got an opportunity here, and because he’s a ball player, he’s flourished here. That’s inspired me a lot.”
As OTAs approach, reporters will be watching to see a new face working with St. Brown and Raymond on the JUGS machine. Williams appears to have a clear path to a spot on the Lions’ 53-man roster, standing out among the team’s undrafted rookies, and his efforts to secure a roster spot will intensify next week.
