The Lions have the next month off as they wait for training camp to begin, but during that time the front office will be busy trying to get all of the team's draft picks signed. The team has put off signing the draft picks until now because the rookies could participate in OTAs and minicamps but didn't count against the roster limit. That is no longer the case going forward, as all rookies must be under contract to participate in training camp.
So far, the Lions have signed two of their six draft picks. Offensive tackle Jason Fox, a fourth-round selection out of Miami (FL), was signed on Friday. Defensive end Willie Young, a seventh-rounder out of North Carolina State, was inked to a deal yesterday. Both players' deals are three years long.
To make room on the roster for Fox, the Lions waived wide receiver Marko Mitchell, who has already been claimed by the Vikings. Along with signing Young, the Lions waived kicker Justin Medlock and offensive guard Kurt Quarterman, perhaps indicating that another draft pick may be inked to a deal sometime soon.
The remaining unsigned draft picks, by the way, are Ndamukong Suh (follow news about his contract negotiations here), Jahvid Best, Amari Spievey and Tim Toone.