Looking back on how these Detroit Lions fared at the Scouting Combine

Let’s take a break from focusing on the 2018 NFL Scouting combine, and look back at current Detroit Lions and how they did in their respective combines.

The 2018 NFL combine is almost over with, and with that brings much more draft speculation and mock drafts than any other part of the year. The most wonderful time of the year for draft junkies such as myself is finally upon us.

But once again, fans need to be able to take the results of the mock draft with a grain of salt. It happens every year: a handful of players put up incredible numbers and watch their draft stock skyrocket for simply looking good while running in skin-tight workout clothes.

The Detroit Lions have a good thing going here, as they have either been on the cusp of making the playoffs or have made the playoffs every year the past five years.

The last thing they need right now is to waste high draft picks drafting guys who can simply run really fast in a straight line or look good lifting weights. They need to stay true to Bob Quinn’s tough-guy drafting strategy.

If you look closely at the main skill players for the Detroit Lions, you’ll learn that the combine doesn’t really mean anything. Franchise Quarterback Matthew Stafford is really the only skill player who currently starts for the Lions on offense who was a first round draft pick after his strong combine showing.

Running back and YAC Superstar Theo Riddick was drafted in the sixth round in 2013, and he has transformed from merely a third-down back to potentially this team starting running back. He posted a 118 inch board jump, a 32 inch vertical jump and a 4.68 second forty yard dash at the 2013 combine.

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As impressive as these numbers sound to us normal humans, Riddick didn’t have a strong showing compared to the other running backs. Out of the 33 running backs at the 2013 combine, he placed 28th in the 40 yard dash and 22nd in the vertical jump, proving that a runner doesn’t need to perform well at the combine to earn a starting job in the NFL.

And he’s not the only Detroit starter to have a mediocre showing at the combine. Look no further than Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, Detroit’s top two wide receivers at the moment.

In 2010, Golden Tate placed 21st amongst wide receivers with his 36 inch vertical leap and was also third last in the three cone shuttle. And in 2012, Marvin Jones arguably did worse at the combine, only finishing in 18th amongst receivers with his 4.46 forty yard dash, 33rd with a 112 inch board jump and 20th in the shuttle

While Tate and Jones did both finish in the top 10 in at least one drill, neither of them had strong showings, causing them each to fall down a lot of teams draft boards. Tate fell to the late second round and Jones fell all the way into the fifth round.

When looking at previous combine performances from Riddick, Tate and Jones, it’s safe to say that what a player does at the combine does not necessarily define how long his career will last.

Bob Quinn’s draft strategy has thankfully proven that he doesn’t look too far into the combine stats as well, and cares more about his players being known as tough guys with decorated college careers.

Offensive Tackle Taylor Decker looked like an average athlete among the other tackles at the combine, finishing 15th in the forty yard dash and 20th in the bench press. While defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson finished 6th and 8th in the forty yard dash and the shuttle, he finished outside the top 15 in most of the other drills.

Despite not posting top numbers at the combine, Quinn was confident in drafting both guys, because they both proved to be tough, reliable football player after viewing their whole body of work from there college careers.

Next: Strengthening Detroit's secondary via free agency

So remember that, NFL draft junkies: As fun as the combine can be, some of the more average guys at the combine can turn into some pretty damn good NFL players. Hopefully the Detroit Lions can remember this as the NFL draft slowly approaches.