Category: nfl draft

Lions training camp: Five thoughts from Taylor Decker

ALLEN PARK — Taylor Decker’s leadership shows through even when he’s sidelined at training camp following shoulder surgery. The veteran Lions left tackle is expected back on the field in a few weeks.

Decker, who is entering his tenth season, shared a few thoughts on Monday, the second day of camp. Five highlights:

ONE — On the retirement of Frank Ragnow: “I mean he’s as close to an irreplaceable guy as you can get. Side note, I’m happy for him. Over the last couple years, him going through what he’s been going through mentally and physically, it could have happened sooner and I think he stuck it out for us. First and foremost, I’m happy for Frank. When he called me I was sad for myself because he’s my best friend and I’ve only played one full season without him so it’s going to be different . For him, I’m relieved for you. I went to see him a couple days after and it was the right decision. That’s what I was expecting. I’m just happy he was able to arrive at that decision and be at peace with it. … The guy had a phenomenal career, for my money, he should be in the Hall of Fame. He was incredible.’’

TWO — On new offensive coordinator John Morton: “No. 1 he’s been here before so we have a little familiarity with him. He’s bringing his own flavor to things, but also he’s not trying to change everything we’re good at. Maybe we’re going to do (things) a little differently here and there, we’ll tweak it here, a new formation, maybe there’s some things he’s talking to Jared about. There’s going to be new concepts and stuff like that. … With every year there’s going to be new guys playing so you might have to play to their strengths a little bit. Maybe we’ll be a little more heavy in a certain run concept or a certain pass concept, maybe there’s some things we did last year based on self-scouting that we’ll do differently or do less of.’’

THREE — On his leadership role: “The standard is the standard. we’re expected to be one of the top offensive lines in the league. You lose big pieces, but we’ve put those expectations on ourselves and put ourselves in a position where we’re expected to perform a certain way and it doesn’t matter. Maybe a guy’s out and a backup is in, maybe there’s a guy who’s never started games before and he’s playing. The expectation is the expectation and that’s really not going to change. For me personally, especially as I’m getting older I can’t let myself waiver from the expectations, especially in practice. Right now I’m not practicing but when I am back out there I need to do things the right way because if I don’t do things the right way that’s setting a bad example for guys who haven’t gotten to play and I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if I didn’t handle things as a professional.’’

FOUR — On the mindset of the team after the playoff upset to end last season: “It’s going to sound boring, we just have to get back to work especially with our schedule this year. We earned the right to play in all these games against these really good teams but now we have to show up, now we have to put the work in, you don’t want to go out there and lay an egg. A couple of years ago nobody wanted to watch the Lions, now everybody wants to watch the Lions. Guys want to play here. That’s a testament to the work we put in when not as many people cared. You can’t lose sight of that you have to keep the main thing the main thing.’’

FIVE — On development of second-year offensive lineman Giovanni Manu who didn’t see action as a rookie. “I think he’s starting to get confidence in himself. He’s obviously incredibly physically gifted. It’s been a step up obviously coming from college not only if you come from college in the United States to the NFL but from Canada (University of British Columbia). It’s a step up in competition, having to learn the playbook against really good competition. It just took a little bit. He’s starting to gain some confidence in that. He was out at my gym in Arizona in the offseason. I think all he needs is reps and he’s going to get a lot of reps. I think he’s going to continue to improve. I’m excited to see him get more opportunities in the preseason.’’

(UP NEXT: Day 3 of training camp is Tuesday. The first preseason game is July 31 against the Los Angeles Rams at the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.)

Lions wrap up weekend by drafting a pair of Georgia Bulldogs

S Dan Jackson and WR Dominic Lovett headed to Detroit

ALLEN PARK — The Lions wrapped up the NFL draft by selecting a pair of Georgia Bulldogs in the seventh round of the NFL draft on Saturday. Safety Dan Jackson was drafted 230th overall while wide receiver Dominic Lovett was the 244th pick.

It was a Georgia kind of draft with guard Tate Ratledge selected in the second round.

Jackson, a walk-on at Georgia, finished with a strong senior season starting opposite Malaki Starks, a first-round pick to the Ravens.

The 6-2, 195-pound safety earned third team All-SEC honors  after recording 64 tackles, three pass break-ups, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and one  blocked field goal. He notched one forced fumble which was huge for the Bulldogs, as it came late in the fourth quarter against Georgia Tech and opened the door for the Bulldogs to beat the Yellow Jackets in eight overtimes.

He’s expected to be able to contribute on special teams. 

“I’m willing to play anywhere, that’s how I got started in Georgia,’’ Jackson said.

He also said that Georgia shaped him into the player he is today. 

In CBS Sports draft profile they wrote: “Dan Jackson is a smart football player and good leader. He is fearless playing downhill in run support, but sometimes runs too hot, which leads to missed tackles in space. Jackson has a high football IQ and good eyes to recognize what is happening in front of him, but lacks the ideal athleticism to recover when he makes a mistake and must do a better job breaking down in space.’’

Lovett, who played two seasons at Georgia after two years at Missouri, led the Bulldogs in receptions with 59 and receiving touchdowns with six in 2024. 

Lovett said he’s looking forward to being in the same wide receiver group with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

“I feel I can learn so much how he plays the game,’’ Lovett said of St. Brown.

Lovett said he’s been a big fan of Jameson Williams since both lived and played near St. Louis in high school.

GM Brad Holmes said he’s been a fan of Lovett’s for a long time and said he’s a really good special teams player. 

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote: “His hands will both dazzle and frustrate. He’s capable and experienced as a gunner and can compete for reps on special teams until he finds his footing as a WR3.’’

Earlier on Saturday, the Lions drafted guard Miles Frazier in the fifth round and EDGE rusher Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round.

Lions draft EDGE Ahmed Hassanein in 6th and G Miles Frazier in 5th round

The Lions finally drafted an EDGE rusher when they selected Ahmed Hassanein from Boise State in the sixth round (196th overall) on Saturday. In the fifth round Detroit moved up to draft guard Miles Frazier out of LSU (171st).

Hassanein (pictured) is the first Egyptian to be drafted and would be the first Egyptian to ever play in the NFL. He started all 14 games in each of the last two seasons when he was first-team All-Mountain West. In 2024 he was tied for the team lead with 15.5 tackles for loss and led the team with 9.5 sacks.

He’s an amazing story as a newcomer who didn’t know anything about the game of football until he arrived in Southern California almost seven years ago. He didn’t even speak English, but eventually hooked up with the perfect scenario and a coach who believed in him at Boise State.

While he impressed the Lions, it’s obvious that coach Dan Campbell hit the perfect note with him.

“Whoever believes in me, that means the world to me, especially Dan Campbell. I would die for that guy, I would run through a wall for him,’’ said Hassanein who is 6-3 and 271 pounds.

He must have done his homework on the Lions because he seemed to have a real feel for the culture and feel of the team. “Super Bowl contenders, culture, family, earning everything — I couldn’t ask for a better team. It’s the perfect fit for me,’’ Hassanein said. “I love the Detroit Lions. I can’t wait to come in and work my butt off and help the team. Whatever they need, I’ll be there.’’

He was an athlete when he moved to California — he had done CrossFit and played other sports in Egypt — but didn’t know anything about football. He learned from his brother and watched YouTube videos. Initially, he wasn’t aware the NFL existed.

“It means the world to me. I can’t describe how I feel right now, it’s a dream come trueI couldn’t pick a better team,’’ Hassanein said. “I’m so honored, and so blessed to be a Detroit Lion. I’m super grateful. It means the world to me, seriously.’’

Earlier on Saturday, the Lions moved up to 171st in the fifth round to draft guard Miles Frazier of LSU. Detroit traded their 182nd and 228th picks to the Patriots to make the pick.

The 6-6, 317-pound offensive lineman started all 13 games in each of the last three seasons at LSU after transferring from Florida International. He allowed just 4 sacks in his collegiate career.  He started mostly at right and left guard, but said he was the backup tackle on both sides. In 2023 he was a finalist for the nation’s top offensive line award.

“I just want to be a part of something greater and I’m ready to compete. At the end of the day competition breeds excellence,’’ Frazier said in a conference call.

He describes himself as “more of a mauler.” 

Frazier said he just met Tate Ratledge (the Lions’ second-round pick) during the pre-draft process and said they have a good relationship. 

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein: “Frazier has things to clean up but carries pro measurables and a play demeanor that gives him a shot to become a starter.’’

Per Zierlein, Frazier compares to Rams guard Jonah Jackson who was drafted by the Lions in 2020.