Everyone expects the best from rookies Eric Ebron, the first-round pick, and Kyle Van Noy, the second-round draft pick. But there are undrafted rookies who could step up like Joe Fauria and LaAdrian Waddle did last year.

Here are three undrafted rookies that may surprise:

1. Fullback Chad Abram has been a pleasant surprise. He’ll have to win the battle with veteran Jed Collins, but don’t count him out. Abram attended Florida State, alma mater of general manager Martin Mayhew. 

2. Tackle Cornelius Lucas is a standout because of his size. He’s 6-foot-9 and 328. Not sure he’s ready for a backup role this season, but he could be placed on the practice squad to develop. He was undrafted out of Kansas State.

 3. Kalonji Kashama out of Eastern Michigan is a 6-foot-4 defensive end with NFL bloodlines.  Two of his brothers played in the NFL and CFL while his cousin Tim Biakabutuka was a running back at Michigan and for the Carolina Panthers. He could be a project, possibly a practice squad player.

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