What Lions Can Learn from Day 2 of NFL Combine Drills
The Detroit Lions may have been paying close attention to Friday's NFL Combine on-field workouts.
On the second day of drills, cornerbacks and tight ends took the field in an effort to impress NFL scouts. In particular, the Lions could benefit from adding a top-tier cornerback to Aaron Glenn's defense.
Here are five takeaways from the cornerback and tight end workouts Friday in Indianapolis.
Wiggins comes in light, runs blazing 40
One of the top cornerback prospects in this year's draft is Clemson's Nate Wiggins. Expected to dazzle in the 40-yard dash, given his outstanding athleticism, he lived up to expectations with a blazing 4.28 time to finish as the top performer in the drill.
However he appeared to suffer an injury at the end of his run, as he was helped off the field by medical staff. It was a disappointing end to the day for the defender, who suffered a hip flexor injury, according to reports. He expects to be ready for Clemson's April 6 Pro Day.
Another intriguing area for Wiggins is his weight, as he weighed in at just 173 pounds. With that lighter frame, he will face questions about how well he can hold up physically at the NFL level.
Still, his speed is intriguing, and he will undoubtedly remain near the top of draft boards heading into the Pro Day circuit.
Mitchell stands out
After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, there has been plenty of hype surrounding Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell. He's viewed amongst the top crop of prospects, and showed off his skill set Friday.
He ran a 4.33 "40" time, which ranked second behind Wiggins. Additionally, he added a 38" vertical jump and a 10'2" broad jump to further showcase his talents.
Mitchell finished with a 90 overall Next Gen Stats score, via NFL.com, which is the highest amongst cornerbacks and fourth overall among all prospects.
While he could be well off the board by the time the Lions are on the clock, he's looking more and more like an excellent fit for Aaron Glenn's defense.
Up-and-down day for Missouri duo
Missouri's defense boasts two solid cornerback options in this year's draft, with both Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine looking the part of eventual NFL starters. Of the two, Rakestraw is valued higher as a potential first-round pick.
However, an area that was supposed to set Rakestraw apart was his physicality. He weighed in at just four pounds heavier and at the same height as Abrams-Draine, but the showing on tape still gives Rakestraw the leg up.
Abrams-Draine ran the better "40" of the two, finishing with a 4.44 mark ahead of Rakestraw's 4.51. For Rakestraw, Missouri's Pro Day will be a big opportunity to put a forth a faster time.
Rakestraw's initial Relative Athletic Score was just 4.79, a poor athletic grade that ranks near the bottom of cornerbacks. His physicality should still make him highly coveted amongst organizations, but it was a missed opportunity for him to stand out amongst the crowded crop of corners.
King struggles
After a solid 2022 season, Kalen King entered his final college season with high expectations. Yet, his stock fell as he struggled to live up to the standards that were set for him at Penn State.
With this in mind, the combine was a valuable opportunity for him to re-establish himself amongst the top half of players at his position. He struggled to do so Friday, though, running a 4.61 40-yard dash that placed him ahead of only one other cornerback.
The Penn State product has been surpassed by several prospects, and now is viewed as a mid-round pick. King still has plenty of potential, but his Pro Day showing will now be pivotal to his draft stock.
Theo Johnson's big day
With top tight end prospect Brock Bowers not testing, an opportunity was presented for other players to showcase their skills. One of the best athletic performers on Friday was Penn State's Theo Johnson.
Currently, Johnson ranks among the top-five players at his position, and his athletic ability will likely lead to a rise. His Relative Athletic Score graded out as a perfect 10.00, based on his measurables and unofficial performance numbers.
Johnson, who weighed in at 6-foot-6 and 251 pounds, ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. He had an excellent showing in other events, as he posted a 39.5" vertical and a 10'5" broad jump.
The Penn State product produced modest receiving numbers in college, but his athletic profile lends itself to him being capable of having a solid NFL role early in his career.
