Assessing the Lions undrafted rookies entering the 1st preseason game

One of the more interesting facets of the first preseason game is seeing the rookies in action against another team for the first time. For the undrafted rookies in Detroit, most fans have no real exposure to what they’re doing in camp or what skills they might offer.

Here’s a primer on the Lions undrafted rookie class and how they’re faring entering Friday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Note that the list here has been pared down with the recent retirements of WR Corey Sutton and OL Zein Obeid.

Obinna Eze

Eze is an easy Lion to spot. The offensive tackle stands a legit 6-foot-8 and might have the longest arms of any Detroit player I’ve ever seen–a notion Lions legend Lomas Brown backed up in a recent practice.

Eze has bounced between both right and left tackle and also between the third-team offense and the second string. Most of his work has come on the third unit at left tackle, and that’s where to expect Eze against Atlanta.

Throughout camp, Eze has improved his ability to land his long punch. He continues to struggle with his length when forced to adjust on the fly; there’s a point of diminishing returns with length and Eze crosses that line too frequently to be considered anything more than a practice squad candidate for 2022.

Kalil Pimpleton

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

He might not be the biggest, but there might not be a more entertaining player on the entire Lions roster to watch in action than Pimpleton. The diminutive (listed at 5-9/172) wideout from Central Michigan is a bundle of speedy kinetic energy and incredible agility with the ball in his hands.

Pimpleton has a tiny catch radius and that limits him when working on the third-team offense, often with QB Tim Boyle and his lack of pinpoint accuracy. To Pimpleton’s credit, he catches anything he can reach and instantly transitions from receiver to runner.

His best chance of making the roster is as a return specialist, and that’s not out of the question. Pimpleton has consistently taken second- and third-team reps at both punt and kick return specialist throughout camp, though the recent addition of USFL standout Maurice Alexander hinders the opportunity there.

Kevin Jarvis

There’s a lot of local fan interest in Jarvis, who played collegiately at nearby Michigan State. Primarily playing either guard spot on the third-team offensive…