Why Detroit Lions coach is 'excited' about Day 3 pick's development
Why Detroit Lions coach is 'excited' about Day 3 pick's development
One of four 2024 NFL Draft trades, the Detroit Lions moved up in the sixth round to take LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, which was also general manager Brad Holmes' final pick of the three-day event.
Wingo will now look to earn his place on the roster and carve out a role for himself in training camp, which begins late in July. But so far, the Lions are pleased with what they've seen from the rookie.
One coach in particular who is high on Wingo is his position coach, Terrell Williams, who noted the first-year defender's explosiveness.
“I don’t want to really compare him, make comparisons because we start thinking that this player should be like that player. The one thing that I’ll say is that he’s an explosive player that understands what his limits are and he also understands what he can use to his advantages," Williams said. "He’s an explosive guy that has extremely quick hands. He can rush the passer and I believe he’ll be a good run defender for us. I’m excited, where we got him and what he’s been able to do so far, I’m super excited about that player.”
Williams didn't stop there, though. He also revealed that Wingo is "really advanced" as compared to most rookies and possesses inside/outside versatility.
“Inside and outside. That’s simply put because, again, when you have guys that have position flex, it makes it tougher on offenses because they don’t always know where those guys are gonna align. He’s done a good job so far and he’s really advanced for a rookie as far as just understanding how to use his hands and pad level and how to rush and where to rush. I think when you’re a guy like his size, you have to play a certain way and he plays that way. We’ve been excited with his development so far.”
Not only does that positional flexibility make it more difficult on opposing offenses, it also gives Wingo a better chance to see the field early in his career.