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The Lions have signed former Rutgers wide receiver Andrew Turzilli to a futures deal.

(John Munson | NJ.com)

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions began what is sure to be a busy offseason by signing nine players to futures deals.

Receiver Jared Abbrederis, a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2014, is the only newcomer of the group. The other eight players were on Detroit's practice squad, including: TE Kennard Backman, RB Mike James, TE Khari Lee , LB Steve Longa , OL Matt Rotheram , OL Brandon Thomas, WR Andrew Turzilli and DB Charles Washington.

Futures contracts are just like regular contracts, except they count against the next season's salary cap and roster limit. Teams can begin signing players to such deals once their season is over.

Any player not on a team at the end of a regular season is eligible to be signed to a futures contract, while everybody else is off limits until the start of free agency in March.