One of the biggest standouts from the first day of on-field workouts and athletic testing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is a player who should definitely intrigue the Detroit Lions. Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland turned in an athletic performance here in Indianapolis that showcased a great deal of what Lions GM Brad Holmes typically looks for in a pass rusher.
Kneeland is a name every Lions fan should be aware of now, if they weren’t already. He performed very well in Senior Bowl week in January, often dominating 1-on-1s but also standing out in team drills. Despite playing in the MAC, he’s arguably the most impressive pound-for-pound athlete at his position, if not overall, in the entire draft. Kneeland, who has met with the Lions both here at the combine and in Mobile, proved that on Thursday inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
WMU’s 6-3, 267-pound edge Marshawn Kneeland–No. 26 Combine Freaks List–ran a faster 3-cone (7.02) and shuttle (4.18) than all the DLs AND LBs at in Indy. He also vertical jumped 35.5 inches and had a 1.66 10-yard split. Impressive day for the Bronco. https://t.co/xAjTDnWNX3
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) March 1, 2024
His rep in the hoop drill, designed to showcase balance, bend and explosion, was impressive, too. No sign at all of the calf injury that caused Kneland to miss a few games for the Broncos last fall:
Marshawn Kneeland Hoop Drill#NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/c9KrIk9lhH
— WalkTheMock (@WalkTheMock) February 29, 2024
Heading into the combine, Kneeland was generally projected in the 75-100 overall range. Based on the athletic testing, it’s now debatable that the 22-year-old Grand Rapids native lasts until the Lions’ second-round pick at No. 61 overall near the end of the second round. Expect a lot of speculation in the coming weeks about that potential pairing.