The Detroit Lions signed three more members of their 2022 draft class Thursday, first-round pick Jameson Williams, third-rounder Kerby Joseph and fifth-rounder James Mitchell.
Joseph’s agent, Louis Bing, announced his client’s signing on Instagram.
Joseph became the first compensatory draft pick to receive maximum compensation under the current collective bargaining agreement, Bing wrote.
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NFL rookies get slotted four-year contracts. Third-round picks, historically, are the only picks with some wiggle room, depending on the value of their fourth-year year base salary.
Joseph’s deal is worth just over $5 million and includes an $849,200 signing bonus. He is expected to compete for time at safety in the Lions secondary this fall.
Mitchell, a tight end out of Virginia Tech, was due a four-year deal worth $3.9 million with a $285,548 signing bonus, according to OverTheCap.com. He is coming off a torn ACL, but will be the Lions’ No. 2 tight end when healthy.
NFL Network reported Williams and the Lions finalized his deal Thursday.
As the No. 12 pick in the draft, Williams will receive a four-year contract worth about $17.5 million that includes a $9.9 million signing bonus.
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The contracts for all first-round picks include a fifth-year team option.
The Lions signed No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson and seventh-round choice Chase Lucas to standard four-year rookie contracts earlier this week.
The Lions host rookie minicamp Friday-Sunday in Allen Park. They have three remaining unsigned picks — second-rounder Josh Paschal, fifth-rounder James Mitchell and sixth-rounders Malcolm Rodriguez and James Houston — all of whom could finalize their deals before camp.
Briefly
The Lions waived two players Thursday, safety Jalen Elliott and receiver Javon McKinley, to free up roster spots for their undrafted rookie class. The Lions have 79 players currently on their 90-man roster and are expected to sign 11 UDFAs.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.