The Pre-Draft Interviews

The Den
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What is it that Brad & Dan look for that other GM’s may overlook with players in the draft?
Everyone wants talent, speed, and character. There are exceptions to this, one just needs to look at Philly as an example.
The RAS score seems to be a trait r staff looks at as a trait that our staff puts some serious weight into, as well as football character.
The other traits that are darn near impossible for us in the den to see are 3 questions I believe play a large role in becoming a draft pick for Brad/Dan. Is player X, Coachable, trainable, and teachable.
It is said by numerous scouts and GM’s, the talent gap in the NFL is very small for most NFL players. What it comes down to in order to play in the NFL is execution and desire on the players part.
I believe those coming in for interviews are for players the staff likes and are in serious consideration, the staff wants to know more about. Some will pass the test, some will not.
Here is a list of LY pre-draft interviews:

Reported Lions visits

QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (Top 30)
QB Anthony Richardson, Florida (NFL Combine)
QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (Top 30)
QB Aidan O’Connell, Purdue (Pro Day)
QB Adrian Martinez, Kansas State (Top 30)
RB Kendre Miller, TCU (Top 30)
RB Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina (Top 30)
RB Evan Hull, Northwestern (Pro Day)
WR Quentin Johnston, TCU (NFL Combine)
WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State (NFL Combine)
WR Ronnie Bell, Michigan (Pro Day)
WR Antoine Green, North Carolina (NFL Combine)
WR Jadon Haselwood, Arkansas (Top 30)
TE Darnell Washington (Top 30)
TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa (NFL Combine)
TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State (NFL Combine)
OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee (NFL Combine, Top 30)
IOL Steve Avila, TCU (Top 30)
OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida (Top 30)
OT Quinton Barrow, Grand Valley State (Pro Day)
T/G Jordan McFadden, Clemson (NFL Combine, Top 30)
G Antonio Mafi, UCLA (Top 30 visit)
G Chandler Zavala, NC State (Top 30 visit)
OL Mark Evans, Arkansas Pine-Bluff (Virtual)
OL Nick Saldiveri, Old Dominion (Virtual)
DL Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern (Pro Day)
DL Karl Brooks, Bowling Green (Top 30 visit)
DL Jalen Carter, Georgia (Top 30 visit)
NT Siaki Ika (Top 30)
DL Desjuan Johnson, Toledo (Top 30)
EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama (Top 30)
EDGE Derrick Hall, Auburn (Virtual)
EDGE Caleb Murphy, Ferris State (Private Meeting)
EDGE Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan (Pro Day)
EDGE BJ Thompson, Stephen F Austin (Top 30)
Pass rushing LB Nick Hampton, Appalachian State (Pro Day)
LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas (Top 30)
LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson (NFL Combine)
LB Noah Sewell, Oregon (NFL Combine)
LB DeMarvion Overshown, Texas (Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard at Pro Day)
CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State (Pro Day, Top 30)
CB Clark Phillips, Utah (Top 30)
CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse (Top 30)
CB Carrington Valenton, Kentucky (Pro Day)
CB Cory Trice, Purdue (Pro Day)
DB Brian Branch, Alabama (Top 30)
DB Quan Martin, Illinois (Top 30)
S Jammie Robinson, Florida State (NFL Combine)
S Daniel Scott, California (Top 30)

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Combination of professionalism and warrior energy (dawg in ‘em).

Warrior energy adds to level of involvement in moments, and commitment in moments. Professionalism leaks into commitment to discipline in the moment, as well as offseason nutrition, etc.

CJGJ and Sewell may be our best pure warriors. CJ doesn’t have a Sewell level professionalism, but his warrior energy is important in bringing more confidence and swagger.

Athleticism and measurables are very important…but it’s not always just how you show up (professionally, focused, etc), but the intensity of the commitment.

That’s one thing I love about LaPorta and Goff…high level professionalism.

Ra ranks very high in both warrior and professionalism too. I think Gibby is right in that ballpark with Ra too.

…and don’t get me started on our biggest over achieving, handsomest guy…the “punter”

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An interesting list. Didn’t see Campbell on the list, but I’m sure they interviewed him as Shep recalled something like “its gonna be hard to top that!”. So, they interviewed four of their top 5 picks, the only one missing is Jah. I don’t see BroMart nor Sorsdal either. Are they keeping these diamonds in the rough (lets hope anyway) a secret?

I think they ask alot of football formation/scheme/assignment questions and the warrior/dog stuff comes out as they go. They are looking for guys who live breathe eat football. Who are in love with the game. Who love their teammates. Who want to go to war and win.

The one guy I’m really glad they picked who seemed to go against the mold to me a little bit anyway is LaPorta. He’s just so easy going and affable. A Cali, Goff-like attitude it seems, which is fine only if its married with supreme football smarts. Which he obviously has.

The thing in my mind that’s really tough to sort out is what you project off the field in an interview and what you project on the field. Take Ra. If you listen to his podcast he seems like a very together guy, smart, but not particularly warrior-like. Yet on the field, I want the ball in HIS hands when we need a first down. He’s freaking relentless. I guess you just watch tape for that stuff.

I’m glad I’m not picking who to draft. Even if i occasionally get one right, it has to be a lifetime of lessons that guys like Brad bring with them.

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100% they are hiding intent. They did the same thing with JaMo

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I thought th is was a great share, man. Only thing I see differently than you is that, I can see the warrior in Ra in interviews. I see the aggressive edge in him pretty clearly.

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they did interview Jah…he was featured on Inside the Den…along w/ Campbell, LaPorta and Branch

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Interesting take Natty. CJGJ comes across to me immature and a bit selfish and hurt the team with dumb penalties a few times in limited action. I’d bet he won’t be back. His best position is Nickel and we have Branch

Sewell of couse is essentially God in my eyes :laughing:

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Definite components of that. This is why Sewell is a better professional. CJ is super high warrior though…just not as professional.

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Yes I do get that man…the aggressiveness … its in a gentlemanly way though. He wants to get to the point very quickly which is prolly a form of it. He’s a unique human being, probably my favorite Lion…maybe ever. Love that he’s on our side.

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