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Detroit Lions: Ranking the 2017 draft class by rookie-year impact

By Zac Snyder

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell shakes hands with offensive guard Joe Dahl (66) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell shakes hands with offensive guard Joe Dahl (66) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs wide receiver Mikah Holder (85) fails to catch a pass in the end zone while being defended by San Diego Toreros cornerback Jamal Agnew (26) during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs won 37-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs wide receiver Mikah Holder (85) fails to catch a pass in the end zone while being defended by San Diego Toreros cornerback Jamal Agnew (26) during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs won 37-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Jamal Agnew

The Lions have an interesting situation at cornerback. It’s a crowded group – especially after drafting two corners in the 2017 NFL Draft – for 2017 but Nevin Lawson, Johnson Bademosi and D.J. Hayden are all heading for unrestricted free agency after this season.

Fifth round pick Jamal Agnew is positioned to be part of that transition but it likely means his biggest impact will be in 2018 or beyond. The contract the Lions gave Hayden means they at least count on him as part of the team in 2017 and probably as the starter in the slot heading into training camp.

Even then, Quandre Diggs also stands in the way of Agnew’s path to not only playing time but a roster spot as well. There is just too much traffic ahead of Agnew to expect much this season, and that’s reflected in his projected scenarios.

Best-case scenario: Athleticism turns out to be a big plus for the defense as he pushes for playing time as a rookie and looks like a potential solution at nickel cornerback heading into 2018.

Worst-case scenario: Isn’t even ready to hold down a spot on the 53-man roster, leaving the Lions to hope they can retain him on the practice squad.

Next: Number 6

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