ALLEN PARK — It’s early in the process and no pads are allowed yet during offseason workouts, but Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepard likes what he sees from the edge rusher group.
One of the first things he sees is that they are tall. Tall is good.
“That’s something that we attacked, we saw we needed. Like always, we mentioned it and the front office did a great job and went out and kind of attracted some of it, barring what we could do, some of the guys we were looking for,’’ Shepard said on Thursday before the team’s ninth OTA workout.
Of the seven edge rushers on the current roster four of them are 6-foot-5 or taller. That includes Aidan Hutchinson (6-foot-7), free agent signee Payton Turner (6-foot-6), undrafted free agent Anthony Lucas (6-foot-5) and free agent D.J. Wonnum (6-foot-5).
The EDGE roster fills out with rookie Derrick Moore (6-foot-3), Eric O’Neill (6-foot-2) and second-year Ahmed Hassanein (6-foot-2).
“It is a good mix and blend. We have some long, we have some shorter, powerful, so to say, type players. The first thing I think is there’s going to be a lot of competition come training camp with that unit,’’ Shepard said. “There’s six to seven guys I’m looking at and they all look like they can play and have potential. It’s just a matter of when the pads come on and what that looks like.’’
Shepard said some of the talent is obvious like signing veteran free agent Wonnum and drafting Moore (Michigan) in the second round.
He also pointed out that Turner, in his sixth NFL season, is a former first-round pick and Hassanein was on the practice squad all last season and is looking to make a push.
Even though undrafted, Lucas was a “game-wrecker” at USC per Shepard.
“We’re very excited for the group. When it comes to the length – it’s what you look for on the edge nowadays, especially what complements the
werewolf (Hutchinson) we have, what does that look like,’’ said Shepard who is in his second season as defensive coordinator.
“A lot of guys want this juiced up, speedball type player but does that truly complement what that player does well? That’s something that we have to sit back as a staff, as a front office and look at,’’ Shepard added. “We’re all on the same page as far as what we’re looking for to complement that player.’’
What’s next: Veteran minicamp next week and then players are off until training camp.
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