Former Lions edge rusher everyone had high hopes for was selected in the UFL Draft, and could earn another chance in Detroit
It’s worth noting the Detroit Lions lead the league in signing UFL players.
Things don’t always work out the way you hoped they would. Sometimes it appears that a player is ready to take the next step and become a significant part of a team, and it happens.
Other times, it simply doesn’t work out. For the Detroit Lions, that was the case with Mitchell Agude. Sometimes going away and learning a new move can help. Agude is getting that chance in the UFL.
Mitchell Agude was selected by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Free Agent Draft
Everyone thought this guy had the goods when the Lions signed him to their practice squad after the Miami Dolphins reluctantly let him go. He was talked about a lot in 2023, but didn’t make his Lions debut until 2024, when he had a solid preseason and then got some regular-season opportunities. He forced a big fumble against the Bears in the Lions’ Week 16 win of that season.
Before 2025, he got in tremendous shape and was invited to work with Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and other big passing-rushing stars at the 2025 Sack Summit. Everything looked like it was going his way, and he would fight for a 53-man roster spot and more playing time. But he just never took that next step on the field. He played in all four preseason games, but didn’t register a single pressure. He did continue to show he’s a solid tackler, though.
Agude has another chance to show the Lions what he can do. Detroit has been one of the league leaders in finding talent in the spring league and giving them chances to make the roster. It’s worked with guys like Jake Bates, Jacob Saylors, and Nick Whiteside. If Agude can show what he can do this spring, maybe the Lions invite him to camp for another summer. We’ll see what happens.
In addition to Agude, six other former Lions were taken in the draft. Linebacker Da’Ron Gilbert was taken by the Birmingham Stallions, edge rusher Isaiah Thomas was taken by the Columbus Aviators, edge rusher Raymond Johnson III, linebacker Abraham Beauplan, and cornerback Luq Barcoo were taken by the St. Louis Battlehawks, and wide receiver Chase Cota was taken by the Dallas Renegades.
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