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Undrafted Free Agents: Preston Dial Agrees To Deal With Detroit Lions

By Sean Yuille
TUSCALOOSA AL - OCTOBER 16: Preston Dial #85 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16 2010 in Tuscaloosa Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA AL - OCTOBER 16: Preston Dial #85 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16 2010 in Tuscaloosa Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Getty Images

No undrafted free agents are allowed to sign with NFL teams until Tuesday morning, but already deals are being made in advance of the opening of the signing period.

The Detroit Lions' first deal with an undrafted free agent appears to be with Alabama tight end Preston Dial. According to BamaOnLine's Chris Walsh, Dial tweeted that he has verbally committed to join the Lions. (It's like college football recruiting all over again for this year's UDFAs.)

Dial played at Alabama from 2007-2010. He only had one reception in each of his first two seasons and three in his third season. In 2010, he had 25 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns. It was by far his best season as a member of the Crimson Tide.

The Lions are pretty stacked at tight end already with Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler and Will Heller set to return. They also have Joe Jon Finley, a member of last year's practice squad, and Richard Dickson, who spent last year on the injured reserve. As a result, Dial's chances of making the 53-man roster aren't very good. In fact, he will have to compete just to land a spot on the practice squad.

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