After selecting linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and tight end, Michael Roberts, with their two picks in the fourth round, the Detroit Lions added cornerback Jamal Agnew in the fifth round. It’s the second corner the Lions have drafted thus far, but he’s a very different type of player than Teez Tabor.
Jamal Agnew – San Diego
Position: Defensive Back
Size: 5-foot-9,185 lbs
Why He Fits in Detroit: The Lions visited with Agnew, and have been consistently going after those players with whom they’ve spent time with. Yes, Detroit added Teez Tabor in the second round, but they felt the extremely fast Agnew was too good to pass up (4.34 40-yard-dash).
Secondary has been a weakness for Detroit over the past few seasons. Agnew is probably a slot/nickel corner at best but has good upside. He doesn’t have the size to play on the outside (5-foot-9, 185 lbs), however, after signing D.J. Hayden and drafting Tabor, that’s not necessarily the area they needed to address.
The Lions have had good success taking corners late in the draft the past few years, acquiring Nevin Lawson and Quandre Diggs in 2014 and 2015. What does this mean for Lawson and Diggs? Hard to tell at this point, yet Agnew is another potential playmaker added to this young Detroit secondary.
Agnew had 11 interceptions and 118 solo tackles in four years at San Diego. He has good ball skills and won’t be expected to do much other than special teams work and adding depth in 2017.
Check out his 2016 college highlights below!
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