The Lions signed fourth-round draft pick Manuel Ramirez yesterday to a 3-year deal, marking another rookie being signed in time for training camp. Here is some background on Ramirez from the Lions' official website:
Ramirez (6-3, 326), was taken by the Lions in the fourth-round (117th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech. Detroit traded two fifth-round choices (139th and 154th overall) to St. Louis to move back up into the fourth round and draft Ramirez, who started all four years of his collegiate career for the Red Raiders.
As a senior last season, Ramirez led a Texas Tech offensive line that only allowed 19 sacks while powering a top-10 offense. He was named a member of the All-Big 12 Conference first team by The NFL Draft Report and the Austin American Statesmen, as well as being named a second-team selection by the Dallas Morning News and honorable mention by the league's coaches.
If I remember correctly, this is the third draft picks the Lions have signed, which leaves five without a contract still. The most important one that will have to get signed is Calvin Johnson, the #2 overall pick from the draft. I have a feeling we may be waiting on that since only two other first-rounders have signed as of right now, so we'll just have to wait and see. In comparison to last year, most draft picks were signed the night before training camp began. Daniel Bullocks, the second round pick from last year, signed right after training camp started, and then Ernie Sims, the first round pick, signed during the first weekend of training camp.