Rookies who don't make the Lions' 53-man roster or practice squad can still wind up playing in Detroit, here's how

The Detroit Lions walked out of the 2025 NFL Draft with seven drafted rookies and nine undrafted rookies. There's a good shot that maybe eight of these guys make the 53-man roster this year. From there, maybe a couple will make the practice squad.

After that, some of these guys may be out with the Lions altogether, but they may not be done playing football in Detroit. They could stick around and be drafted by the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Draft. 

The draft had previously been held in July, but the league kept having issues with drafting players that would either wind up on NFL rosters or practice squads.

For example, last year, the Panthers drafted Linos edge Isaac Ukwu, and the Birmingham Stallions drafted then Lions receiver Isaiah Williams. Ukwu wound up in the Lions' practice squad, and Williams initially made Detroit's 53-man roster and is now with the Bengals. 

Per the UFL, the league has moved its college draft to just after training camps end on September 2nd.