The Detroit Lions did not achieve their ultimate objective, facing an early exit in the playoffs last month that left them disappointed. However, life in the NFL is quick-paced, and attention now shifts to making the most of their opportunity to compete.
The Lions and other NFL teams are going to Indianapolis for a week during the scouting combine. They will have the opportunity to converse with and observe numerous prospects take the field for a crucial week of draft preparation.
Brad Holmes, the general manager of the team who has consistently excelled in the draft, holds eight selections in this year’s event, beginning with Pick 28 at the end of the first round.
Media briefings
Tuesday: Starting at 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., most head coaches and general managers in the league will speak to reporters, and this can be viewed on NFL Network. Holmes will address at 1 p.m., followed by head coach Dan Campbell at 3:30 p.m.
Buffalo’s Sean McDermott will address the media Monday afternoon, while several others will conclude their engagements on Wednesday and Thursday following the prospects’ presentations.
Wednesday: From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., defensive linemen and linebackers will address the audience.
Thursday: From 9 a.m. to noon, defensive backs and tight ends will practice.
Friday: From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers.
Saturday: Offensive linemen from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Field exercises and training timetable
The NFL will maintain its comprehensive coverage of the on-field drills at Lucas Oil Stadium, featuring prime-time broadcasts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
From a league-wide viewpoint, the meetings, interviews, and evaluations with players are the most crucial element of the week.
The on-field exercises serve as a validation of what scouts and general managers are already aware of, providing an opportunity to observe these prospects and their movements during play.
Each day features designated position drills. Nonetheless, the conventional on-field exercises include the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical leap, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle.
Thursday: Drills for defensive linemen and linebackers from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: Defensive backs and tight ends from 3 PM to 9 PM.
Saturday: From 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers.
Sunday: Offensive linemen from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Pre-combined mock drafts: Selections for the Lions by Kory Woods and Ben Raven.
Lions require
Both of MLive’s Lions reporters had the Lions selecting edge defenders in their initial mock drafts of the offseason, which is deliberate. The Lions require additional resources for their defense, particularly in the area of pass-rushing depth.
Holmes has selected the top player and the most suitable choice at every draft, and this strategy has proven effective.
However, as the team’s roster keeps improving and becoming more robust, there are fewer opportunities for experimentation, so aligning that approach more closely with particular needs may be the optimal strategy to maximize the team’s Super Bowl window.
That being stated, Holmes has led four drafts, and only four players are not part of the roster in some form, indicating that the general manager has shown considerable reliability.
Additional requirements include the interior defensive line, as Alim McNeill and Mekhi Wingo sustained ACL injuries near the end of the season, while Levi Onwuzurike is set to enter free agency. The cornerback position presents an intriguing topic, especially after selecting players in the first and second rounds last year.
Carlton Davis III is approaching free agency, and the Lions aim to avoid reverting to their previous secondary position. There are also several choices to consider at linebacker, as Derrick Barnes is a free agent awaiting a decision.
On the attacking side of the game, the interior offensive line is still a position where an additional choice wouldn’t be a bad idea. Kevin Zeitler requires a new contract, while Graham Glasgow has one year remaining on his current deal.
Christian Mahogany made a strong impression in his two starts as a rookie last year. Relying on a sixth-round selection who has played only two games is a hard argument to make, regardless of how impressive he appeared in those instances.
The wide receiver position is another subtle group to keep an eye on. New offensive coordinator John Morton has experience coaching and playing the position, and since Tim Patrick requires a new contract and Jameson Williams is nearing the conclusion of his rookie deal, adding more youth and talent to the roster would be a smart move.