There are several ways NFL teams can meet with draft prospects to learn more about their skill set and character, including All-star games like the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, university pro days, scheduled private workouts, prospect visits, and a local workout day.
Today, the Detroit Lions are hosting their local workouts and are allowed to bring in players who grew up in the greater metro-Detroit area or attended a college in close proximity to the team’s facilities, such as Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Wayne State and Toledo.
Here are a few examples of how it works. Defensive lineman Rashan Gary grew up in New Jersey but attended Michigan so he is eligible to attend today’s workout. Cornerback Sean Bunting attended Central Michigan — which is strangely outside the NFL’s proximity range — but he grew up in Macomb, Michigan, which is in range and therefore he can also attend. Corner Justin Layne grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Michigan State, both of which are out of range and therefore he doesn’t qualify.
Dave Birkett of the Free Press recently published a list of almost 20 prospects expected to participate in the Lions local workouts, including four players who are expected to be selected in the first 100 picks, including Gary, Bunting, Chase Winovich (Michigan, DE) and David Long (Michigan, CB).
It was previously reported that potential first-round pick Devin Bush (Michigan, LB) was also expected to attend but was not listed in Birkett’s article. It’s still possible he will attend but nothing has been confirmed at this time.
Here’s an alphabetical list of the remaining players expected to attend today’s workout:
| Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan, DE |
| Berkley Edwards, Michigan, WR |
| Zach Gentry, Michigan, TE |
| Charles Harris, Buffalo, DE |
| Karan Higdon, Michigan, RB |
| Ka’Dar Hollman, Toledo, CB |
| Reggie Howard, Toledo, DT |
| Diontae Johnson, Toledo, WR |
| Cam Lewis, Buffalo, CB |
| Junior McMullen, Miami (Ohio), LB |
| Anthony Pittman, Wayne State, LB |
| Tommy Richardson, Wayne State, OG |
| Cody Thompson, Toledo, WR |
| Tyler Wiegers, Eastern Michigan, QB |
| Brian Williams, Davenport, DB |
