Detroit Lions Free Agency: 5 Undrafted Free Agents Who Could Fit in Detroit

Now that the 2011 NFL draft is over, the Detroit Lions have a complete team, right?

Hardly.

While the Lions' draft has been almost universally lauded as one of 2011's best, Lions fans know that a number of "need" positions were left untouched, and if anything, the Lions success was primarily based on fortifying positions of relative strength.

But fear not! There is still free agency to take care of those immediate needs. And beyond just veteran free agents, there are also undrafted free agents ready to come in and make an impact for their new NFL teams.

And don't turn your nose up at the UDFA market. Randy Phillips came in last year and made the practice squad, and eventually the 53-man roster. He could be the Lions' primary reserve safety in 2011, and may even earn a starting role soon afterwards.

Lucky for Detroit, it seems this year, in particular, there are quite a few UDFAs fallen from grace that were once considered mid-rounders. Obviously, players fall for a reason, but working out a UDFA is a zero-risk proposition, so why not give these guys a shot?

Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Hollenbach #14 of the Maryland Terrapins is pressured by Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles on November 18, 2006 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defeated Maryland 38-16.

Is Mark Herzlich the best all-around football player left on the board at the conclusion of the draft?

No. But he is very likely the biggest name.

Herzlich is a name well known because he was the only cancer survivor in the NFL draft. And no, I'm not suggesting the Lions pick him up just because he's a great story. If that were the case, they'd bring Caleb Campbell on in a more significant role.

Actually Herzlich can play some linebacker. And he's exactly the kind of high-character, high-motor guy the Lions are building a reputation with.

Herzlich certainly has his flaws, and he's a developmental pick without question. But he could contribute on special teams now, and grow into quality depth later.

Meanwhile, his locker room influence could be right up there with that of Vanden Bosch, Suh and Delmas.

Kris O'Dowd, C/G, USC

While it's generally agreed the Detroit Lions made out like bandits in this year's draft, one area of the team that didn't get the attention it probably should have is the offensive line.

Enter Kristopher O'Dowd, the center from USC who started three games in his freshman season and was a fixture thereafter.

O'Dowd is 6'5", 300 pounds, which means he is already bigger and stronger than the Lions' starting center, Dominic Raiola (6'1", 295). O'Dowd was projected as the third-best center prospect in the draft (behind Stefan Wisniewski, who the Raiders took in the second round) and that suits the Lions just fine.

O'Dowd needs some time to bulk up and fill out his frame, and he needs to stay healthy. Raiola is under contract for three more years. The time frames work.

With a couple of years in an NFL weight-training program and some tutelage under Raiola (who is a master of technique on the offensive line), O'Dowd could not only take over the starting center role for a long time, he could become one of the league's better centers in one of the league's more explosive offenses.

Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 11: Kendric Burney #16 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stops a pass in front of Golden Tate, #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during their game at Kenan Stadiium on October 11, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by

Kendric Burney is a victim of his own inconsistency. Had he declared after his junior year, he would have been a day-two pick.

Instead, he had an atrocious senior season, and fell right off everyone's draft board.

But most scouts agree he has all the tools to be a good cover corner, he just needs to put them all together. Most likely, his stats and performance fell off as a result of half of his team being suspended all year.

With no pass rush and no support, even the best CBs will get beat.

Now where's a place Burney could land where the pass rush will keep the pressure off him for a while?

Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Dane Sanzenbacher #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs after a catch against Isaac Madison #6 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in Ne

And why not?

Sure, I know we got Titus Young, and that expands the Lions' respectable WR depth chart to three. They still have to carry four into the season.

Who's the fourth? Bryant Johnson? Derrick Williams? Tim Toone?

Sanzenbacher has much in common with Toone (size, speed, play style), so it might be redundant to bring him in.

Still, the Lions have a track record of using good players from Ohio State (see: Chris Spielman, Dick LeBeau), so what's the harm in giving the kid a shot?

Jeron Johnson, SS, Boise State

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Joe Halahuni #87 of the Oregon State Beavers is tackled by safety Jeron Johnson #23 of the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

You may argue that the Lions don't need any more safeties. You're not categorically wrong, but Jeron Johnson might be worth taking a flier on anyway.

Johnson was rated as high as a fifth-rounder this year, but ended up going undrafted entirely.

That is to say, the three-time leading tackler for one of the top defenses in the country just went undrafted.

Now, judging a guy based merely on college production can often backfire spectacularly (Matt Millen reference alert!), but hey, how bad can a UDFA really backfire?

Johnson is a little guy, only 5'10", but he's quick, and he will put every one of his 212 pounds on the line to lay the wood on somebody (pictured).

He was a four-year starter and a defensive leader at Boise State, and may well be the 2011 edition of Randy Phillips.

Besides, there is no such thing as too many talented project players in training camp.