Detroit Lions finish signing 2021 draft class by inking Ifeatu Melifonwu

The Detroit Lions now have their entirely 2021 draft class under contract. The team announced on Friday morning that they have signed the one remaining draft pick that had been unsigned, third-round pick Ifeatu Melifonwu. All other rookies were signed prior to breaking from OTAs this summer.

The signing comes just a day before rookies are expected to report to Allen Park for training camp. Veterans are expected to report on Tuesday, July 27 with the very first training camp practice scheduled a day later on Wednesday.

Details of Melifonwu’s contract are not out yet. If you’re wondering why it took so long for Melifonwu to sign his rookie deal, it’s because late third-round picks have some wiggle room in contract negotiations, whereas contracts for other draft picks are fairly straightforward. We saw a similar delay back in 2017 with Kenny Golladay’s rookie deal. Golladay was taken 96th overall, while Melifonwu was taken 101st.

Detroit now has all 89 players under contract as we head into the final weekend of the offseason and towards the beginning of the preseason.