Detroit Lions draft target: LSU edge rusher Arden Key

 The Detroit Lions have shown interest in most of the Draft’s edge defenders. LSU’s Arden Key is a high risk/reward player who inspires a lot of questions.

Over the last two seasons Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn has drafted players that he has met with privately. That makes paying attention to who he meets with during the pre-draft process important for anyone interested in what the draft might hold for the team.

All of us have access to game tape at this point. We can all be our own judge and jury regarding a player’s relative quality. Where team evaluators have a monopoly is sitting down face to face with prospects and asking them questions. Arden Key is a player that I would like to ask a few questions before making any speculation on.

He is a physically gifted prospect. At 6’6″ with 33.5″ arms, Key has all of the length that you could ever want in an edge rusher. He uses that length to create leverage effectively. Key is incredibly flexible, his bend off the edge is elite in his 2016 tape. He has 12 sacks as a sophomore. He had incredible burst off the snap. On many plays Key had already won the moment the play began, it was just a matter of how long the offensive tackle could delay Key’s trip to the quarterback.

Dropping into coverage, as a sophomore, Key looked natural and fluid. He had quick feet, and did not look as stiff as most edge players do moving backwards and sideways.  He is a solid open field tackler, who also hits with force and creates fumbles. However, there is a reason I keep talking about his 2016 tape.

The problem with Key is that in the spring before his junior year he left the team for personal reasons. During that time he had shoulder surgery and gained 25-30 lbs of bad weight. His production dropped: he posted only four sacks in 2017. He lost his burst, fluidity of motion, and flexibility. Teams will ask in situations like this: what will a player do if he has less accountability, more free time, and money?

The 2018 edge rusher class is not very good. Key’s draft spot could land anywhere from round one to three depending on his answers to the questions that Bob Quinn and the other 31 NFL general managers ask. Unfortunately for Key, many teams will already have removed him from their draft boards.

Next: Lions seven-round mock draft 2.0

Bob Quinn has already met with Key at the combine. LSU’s pro day is is April 4. If the Lions meet with Key again, it will be a good indicator that they liked what they heard in Indianapolis. The number of other teams who also meet with key at LSU is particularly relevant in gauging his potential draft slot. According to walterfootball.com Key met formally with only the Lions and 49ers at the NFL scouting combine.