The Detroit Lions were scouting both sides of the ball at Kentucky’s Pro Day, setting up a visit with one of the top players in the draft in EDGE rusher Josh Allen and sending their running backs coach Kyle Caskey to reportedly workout Benny Snell.
Allen is the big draw, so it’s no surprise to see in NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero’s Tweet that the other four teams setting up meetings with Allen are all picking ahead of the Lions at 2, 4, 5 and 6 respectively.
There may not be a player in this class where the combination of talent and scheme fit mesh so perfectly with the Lions, but they will likely need some luck or draft day maneuvering to find a way to make this marriage happen.
Allen isn’t the only talented player on the Wildcats defense and the Lions have also been scouting their secondary, setting up a private workout with cornerback Derrick Baity, and Lonnie Johnson Jr. — who plays at the opposite outside corner spot — is also likely on their radar as well.
On offense, running back Benny Snell is the top prospect, and the fact that the Lions sent Caskey to scout him speaks to their level of interest.
Snell (5-10, 224) is a power runner who has earned every yard (3,873) and touchdown (48) in his 3-year career by outworking the defense. Like Kerryon Johnson, Snell shows above-average patience, balance and vision, which is ideal for the Lions projected offensive run scheme. Snell’s not as athletic as Johnson, but he would an ideal power compliment to him, filling the vacated LeGarrette Blount role.
