Lions scouts and coaches are preparing to hit the road to Indianapolis for the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine.
There they'll have a chance to get to know some of the top draft prospects on and off the field. It's an important part of the pre-draft evaluation process.
View photos of Lions players at previous NFL Scouting Combines. Photos: Associated Press.
"I think in terms of the drills, to have that comparable number and be able to go back and plug that in and see where those guys figured in, is very important," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said in a conference call this week. "Those numbers do determine a lot about how effective a player is."
While the Combine is important, players like Lions cornerback and return man Jamal Agnew, are proving you don't necessarily need an invite to the Combine to make a career in the NFL.
"I was a little upset (I wasn't invited)," Agnew said in a phone interview with Detroitlions.com. "Every football player wants to get to the NFL Combine. But I saw it as an opportunity to get a little more training.
"I wanted to see where I was in my training, and what the other guys were doing," he said. "I kind of compared it to where I was in my training – seeing where I needed to get better, and what I felt my strengths were.
Agnew put up impressive numbers at his Pro Day, and was ultimately drafted by the Lions in the 5th round. He went on to lead the league in punt return yards as a rookie in 2017.
COMBINE PREVIEW
Take a position by position look at some of the top prospects who will be participating in this year's Combine:
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
- The Lions are tied with the New Orleans Saints for the second toughest strength of schedule in 2018.
- Tim Twentyman takes a look at who the experts have the Lions selecting with the 20th overall pick.
- The Lions announced Tuesday that they have added Brian Picucci to the coaching staff as an offensive assistant/quality control.
