ALLEN PARK >> The NFL is not a developmental league.

Professional teams are multimillion-dollar businesses, and they often don’t have time to sit around and wait for a player to improve. There are, of course, exceptions — Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has made it a habit of using mid-round draft picks on perceived projects — but even then, those prospects need to find a way to contribute early in their careers.

“The National Football League is really not about developing players. I hate to say that. I know it may not seem like that, but it’s the truth,” Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said last month. “You can either come in here and help, or you can’t. If you can’t help, there’s no place for you. So, we really don’t have the time to develop you. That being said, there’s a little caveat to that. If you can help right now on special teams, then you can buy yourself some time, and I’ve seen that with a number of players.”

Performing well on special teams will be key for plenty of players on Detroit’s roster, and it’ll be particularly critical for a couple of seventh-round rookies, in safety Dan Jackson and wide receiver Dominic Lovett. Neither player is guaranteed a spot on Detroit’s 53-man roster, and neither is expected to see significant playing time on offense or defense. Making plays on Fipp’s unit during the preseason and training camp is how they can set themselves apart.

Jackson proved to be a consistent piece while at Georgia, appearing on kick return, kick coverage, punt return and punt coverage throughout his college career, as well as field-goal block. More than 600 players in the country received at least 150 snaps on special teams last season. Jackson’s grade from Pro Football Focus when on the field for those plays (88.7) ranked ninth.

Lovett, who also attended Georgia, specialized as a gunner on punt coverage. The Bulldogs allowed 57 punt return yards in 2024, but they didn’t allow a single yard in 2023. Lovett only had eight snaps on special teams through the first two seasons of his collegiate career, but he “found my value” as a special teamer after he transferred to Georgia from Missouri. The Lions already have one strong gunner, in veteran Khalil Dorsey. Adding a second could give them elite punt coverage.

“I feel like special teams is just another way to be on the field, and also another way to compete,” Lovett said during rookie minicamp. “I feel like it’s a one-on-one battle from the man across from you. It’s just you versus him. I told them I’m willing to do whatever to get on the field. So, special teams. You need me on special teams? I’ll do it to the best of my ability and have fun.”

From running back Sione Vaki (fourth-rounder in 2024) to linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (sixth-rounder in 2022), the Lions have seen a number of their recent draft picks make early impacts on special teams. That’s the path for late-round selections to make the roster, and it’s how they can buy themselves time for development, with the hope of one day graduating to the offense or defense.

“I give these rookies this presentation every year, and it’s the undrafted free agents that have been around. They’ve all gone on to make a lot of money and play for a long time, and they’ve all become positional starters and a bunch of them are still playing,” Fipp said. “My point to (the rookies) is (that) they didn’t start off playing offense or defense in the position that these guys know they are playing right now. They started off playing special teams, and then after some time to develop, earn a reputation, get an opportunity to go play and show what they can do. Then when they got that opportunity they stepped up and made some plays, and that took care of the rest.

“Really, it’s through special teams that kind of gives you the chance to do that.”