The Detroit Lions' preseason opener against the New York Giants on Thursday night featured three undrafted free agents who stood out to head coach Dan Campbell.
The first was wide receiver Isaiah Williams, who led the team with four catches for 35 yards. The Illinois product also contributed in the return game with a pair of 28-yard kickoff returns.
“Isaiah Williams showed up,” Campbell said, per Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire. “I mean, he made some plays out there, and that was clear. That was clear to see. He did some really good things that showed up.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Williams & Mary product Nate Lynn shined in the pass-rush with a team-high five pressures and one sack, according to Pro Football Focus.
“Nate, obviously coming from William & Mary, that was kinda what he was known for — is a rusher," Campbell said, according to Pride of Detroit's Jeremy Reisman. "He’s kind of a crafty guy, understands how to use his hands. So we put him at the SAM linebacker, we put him at defensive end. So he did some things.”
But Lynn wasn't the only undrafted free agent to shine on defense, as fellow edge rusher Isaac Ukwu posted his own sack to go along with two total pressures.
Campbell revealed Ukwu had been coming on strong in practice leading up to the game.
“Ukwu has kind of caught our eye, and I feel like it’s ever since late last week," Campbell said. "You’re starting to feel like, ‘Man, he’s got a little rush ability.’ It seems like every day, he makes something happen on a couple of plays that are pretty big. Sacks, pressures.”
With the Lions having depth spots up for grabs at their positions, all three already had a decent shot to make the roster. Safe to say, they all helped their cause in preseason Week 1.
