Detroit Lions: 5 lessons learned in latest loss to Bucs

#5 – Agnew is an important part of the team

The Lions only score of the game came on a punt return from Jamal Agnew who ran the ball 74 yards to the end zone. This was Agnew’s fourth punt return touchdown since he entered the league for years ago.

Since Agnew made his debut, he’s been the Lions primary returner on both kick and punt returns in which he has done an excellent job at doing so and was even named to the First-Team All Pro as a returner in his rookie season.

In his career, he’s returned 72 punts for 835 yards for an average of 11.6 yards a return. This season, he’s averaged 13 yards per return on 12 returns for a total of 156 yards. On kick returns this season, he’s gotten 689 yards on 26 returns for an average of 26.5 yards per return.

Being a returner isn’t the only role he has though. He’s played a bit of a role on the offensive side of the ball as he has 89 yards on 13 catches and has ran the ball six times for 33 yards and three first downs.

Prior to this season, he was a cornerback which was the position he played in college although the Lions decided to transition him into an offensive piece for the 2020 season.

The fact that Agnew can do a bit of everything makes him a valuable asset to the Lions as not many players possess the versatility that he has. Agnew is a free agent at the end of the season and whoever the Lions new regime is should make it a priority to re-sign him.