Lions sign several players to futures deals

With the season over, the Detroit Lions have turned their attention to building up their 90-man offseason roster. To begin this process, they have started signing players to futures deals. Here's a rundown of who has been signed so far:

FB Emil Igwenagu
WR Skye Dawson
WR Andrew Peacock
TE Jordan Thompson
TE Ifeanyi Momah
OT Michael Williams
C Taylor Boggs
C Braxston Cave
DT Kerry Hyder
DT Roy Philon
DT Xavier Proctor
DT Jermelle Cudjo
LB Jerrell Harris
CB Crezdon Butler
S Nate Ness

The majority of these players spent time on the Lions' practice squad during the 2014 season. Only Boggs, Cave and Hyder are completely new to the team.

Also, in addition the players listed above, the Lions are expected to sign offensive tackle Michael Williams, another player who was on the practice squad, to a futures deal at some point soon. I'm sure Williams won't be the last player they add, either. There has been talk about Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne getting a futures deal from the Lions, and there are probably others in the mix to join the team with so many spots to fill as the roster expands to 90 players.

UPDATE: Michael Williams has now been officially signed.

UPDATE II: The Lions have added another player:

The #Lions have signed DB Crezdon Butler to a reserve/futures contract.

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 7, 2015

UPDATE III: Here's another signing:

The Lions signed DT Jermelle Cudjo to a futures deal today, per the NFL transactions wire

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 9, 2015