Detroit Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp is already circling one undrafted rookie as preseason action approaches.
That player is linebacker Erick Hunter, and Fipp’s early read is that the Morgan State product has shown enough in camp to warrant big expectations when the games start a week from Thursday. With pads on and the Lions pushing practice into more competitive territory, Hunter has stood out in the kinds of drills Fipp says are designed to reveal who can really make plays.
During an interview with 97.1 The Ticket on Thursday morning, Fipp described the approach as a series of pressure-packed reps built around the little things that matter on special teams: getting off blocks, holding blocks and covering returns. In that setting, Hunter has made an impression.
“You just let them really decide who’s making the most plays. Those guys who stand out, like for us, Erick Hunter, linebacker," Fipp said. "I’d be shocked if this guy doesn’t have a million tackles in the preseason."
Hunter arrives with a strong college résumé after five seasons at Morgan State, where he totaled 298 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Now he’s trying to turn that production into a role on Detroit’s 53-man roster.
Fipp also pointed to another name that has popped in those competitive periods: Tay Martin. The Lions’ UFL signing, who led the Colmbus Aviators with 42 receptions and 483 yards last season, has shown versatility in special teams work and earned praise from the coordinator.
"He’s just been super competitive. Guy’s come out of nowhere for us.
So we’ve got a handful of guys that are really shining in some of these drills," Fipp said. "It’s fun to watch, especially young guys you really don’t know a lot about.”
Since taking over the Lions’ special teams units in 2021, Fipp has become an important voice in roster decisions because of how much of the team he gets to evaluate. He can work across the full roster to build out coverage and return groups, which gives him a broad look at who can help in those spots.
His message to players trying to stick is simple: don’t wait around for someone else to decide your fate.
“I tell all these guys, the bottom line is if you’re trying to make the roster, don’t leave it in somebody else’s hands. You just make it clear and obvious," Fipp said. "Don’t let these guys get rid of you, because if they can then they probably will."
He also noted that the formula for making an NFL roster has changed. In the past, he said, there were players who could earn spots almost entirely on special teams. That’s not how it works now, with injuries forcing more players to handle multiple jobs.
“There’s offense and defense, but ultimately with all the injuries, guys end up playing everything," Fipp said. "Nowadays on a roster with the injuries and the way this game’s going, you’ve got to be able to do a lot, and the more you can do the better.
We always used to go in there and say, ‘There’s a couple guys that are gonna make the roster on special teams.’ I say now that’s not the case.
You’re not gonna be able to make it just on special teams. You’ve got to be able to play offense and special teams, or play defense on special teams.”
For Hunter, that means the preseason won’t just be about showing up on coverage units. He’ll need to flash on defense too if he wants to turn a strong camp into a real shot at making the team. Fipp, at least for now, sounds convinced he can.
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