7 Takeaways from Dan Campbell's and Brad Holmes' NFL Scouting Combine Press Conferences
The 2022 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis is now upon us, which means it's time for the Detroit Lions to evaluate a myriad of players that they could select in this April's draft (April 28-30).
Before the on-field talent evaluation can kick off, though, NFL teams' head coaches and general managers have to hit the podium to talk to the media, and the Lions did so Tuesday.
Here are seven takeaways from Detroit head coach Dan Campbell's and general manager Brad Holmes' press conferences from the combine.
Jeff Okudah will not be moving to safety
The much-maligned former Ohio State defensive back will not be moving to safety when he returns from a torn Achilles' injury. Okudah suffered the injury in the Lions' 2021 regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
Campbell said as much Tuesday at the NFL combine.
"Right now, we see him as corner. But, there again, a lot of this will be as we continue to discuss and depending on who we add or how we add, you never know," Campbell told reporters at the Indianapolis-based pre-draft event. "We’re constantly talking about our personnel and what’s best for them moving forward. What’s best for us?
"Should this guy go to safety? Should this guy go to nickel? Should we bump this guy back out to corner? How are our injured guys? What do we add? So, we just constantly are going to have dialogue about that. But yeah, we see Jeff out there, and what we need to do is just continue to add pieces that can compete."
Lions are committed to remaining "gritty" in 2022
Campbell has never shied away from being his genuine self with the media, and Tuesday was yet another example of it.
As part of his media session, he delivered this gem to reporters: "We're going to be aggressive, and we don't cower from anybody. We respect all of our opponents, but we don't fear any of them. If you want to come to Detroit, you're going to be gritty, and you're going to be with a bunch of guys that freaking love the game. They're going to give all their heart and soul, and we're going to cut it loose."
Safe to say, Campbell was in midseason form at the podium.
Okudah and Romeo Okwara both on track to be ready for start of 2022 season
Okudah and Okwara both missed the majority of the 2021 campaign with physical ailments.
Okudah's is detailed above, while Okwara similarly tore his Achilles -- came in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears -- and proceeded to miss the remainder of the season.
According to Campbell, both players have a shot at being ready to play come the start of the 2022 season.
"As long as everything stays the course with their recovery, then we should have them hopefully by training camp, at least on a limited basis, which would be good," Campbell told reporters. "So, we're hoping for the season on both of those guys, if they're ready."
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Holmes is not sure whether franchise tag will be used this offseason
If the Lions apply the franchise tag to any player this offseason, it's likely to be to either safety Tracy Walker or EDGE Charles Harris.
But, the likelihood of it happening is rather low.
According to Holmes, the Lions, as an organization, haven't engaged in any kind of conversation yet regarding deploying the tag.
Holmes hopes to get questions answered this week about Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
A significant portion of the Lions fanbase will have its eyes glued to pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson this week in Indy.
And it's not just because he's a local product, having played for Dearborn (Mich.) Divine Child High School and collegiately at the University of Michigan. But, it's also because he's got a great chance of being selected by Holmes & Co. at No. 2 overall in this April's NFL Draft.
Holmes was asked about the former Michigan standout during his media session at the combine.
"Hopefully he comes out here and competes," Holmes said. "From what I know of him, he seems like he's that type of guy. You know, he's a local guy. He's from Detroit. Plays hard, had a very productive year. So, we'll get whatever questions answered out of him throughout this week and moving forward."
Holmes seeks to get "confirmation" of "measurables"
Hand size, height, weight and wingspan are just a few of the notable "measurables" that NFL teams will be seeking info on, as they evaluate players this week in Indianapolis.
It's an ultra important aspect of the combine that talent evaluators spend a multitude of time on during their week-long stay at the combine.
On Tuesday, Holmes talked about getting "confirmation" of prospects' measurables while being in Indy.
"You definitely want to get confirmation on what those measurables are for what you thought you saw on film," Holmes said. "Now some measurables you already have. There's a lot of studies done, in terms of at which position, whether it's offensive tackle with arm length, like what are the subsets of offensive tackles with this sized arm length. What has been the success rate of those guys? Then, it runs through: What is wide receivers and 40(-yard dash) times? Does that really compare?
"That's when you really deep dive the analytics, and we have a great analytics department that we utilize heavily. There's certain trends that you can see start to develop when you start deep diving the measurables."
Holmes calls Kayvon Thibodeaux "a good-looking prospect"
Along with Hutchinson, Thibodeaux is one of the heavy favorites to land with the Lions with the No. 2 selection.
Holmes had the chance to get an up-close-and-personal look at Thibodeaux's game while in California for Detroit's Week 7 road contest with the L.A. Rams.
During the same week, Thibodeaux and the Oregon Ducks took on the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. He recorded nine total tackles, along with two sacks and a forced fumble, in the 34-31 Oregon victory.
"Well, he had a productive game that day," Holmes said regarding Thibodeaux's performance against the Bruins. "I don't know if that's because I timed it up right. But, he had a productive game, and you know, he's a good-looking prospect."
