When the NFL draft is over,  the fun is just beginning. That’s when NFL teams angle to sign the best of the undrafted rookies.

The Lions signed 11 of them this week and they will join the nine drafted rookies in minicamp May 10-12.

 Included is wide receiver Cody Wilson from Central Michigan, who played on the same offense with first overall draft pick left tackle Eric Fisher.

 Wilson, who played at Rochester Adams, is the son of Dave Wilson who is the long-time Lions’ team chaplain and the founding pastor of Kensington Church in Troy.

 But it’s not his dad that got him in the door. Wilson ranks third in receptions (230) at Central Michigan and fifth in receiving yards (2,729). He tied the longest streak in the NCAA by catching a pass in 42 consecutive games.

 He’s just one of 11 undrafted rookies who signed contracts. The others are: center Skyler Allen (Ohio), defensive tackle Michael Brooks (East Carolina), quarterback Alex Carder (Western Michigan), linebacker Alex Elkins (Oklahoma), tight end Joseph Fauria (UCLA), tackle Austin Holtz (Ball State), running back Steven Miller (Appalachian State), linebacker Jon Morgan (Albany), cornerback Martavius Neloms (Kentucky) and tackle LaAdrian Waddle (Texas Tech).

  Oddly enough with the signing of Miller and the drafting of punter Sam Martin, the Lions have more players on their roster from Appalachian State (two) than they do from either Michigan (none) or Michigan State (none). 

  The Lions also invited a few other players to the rookie minicamp including Richmond quarterback John Laub, a relative of Matt Millen; Kansas center Trevor Marrongelli, Marshall receiver/returner Andre Snipes-Booker and Delaware State receiver/returner Travis Tarpley.

  The rookie minicamp is not open to the public, but the media (including me) will get our first look at all the Lions rookies wearing Honolulu blue and silver.

  (Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)