The Detroit Lions hit up Auburn and Central Michigan pro days in search of 2022 NFL draft prospects
The pro day circuit spread out across the country on Tuesday. Even in the midst of the free agency legal tampering period, the Lions still had reps in attendance for at least two of the college workouts.
The first of the day was close to Detroit, a short jaunt to Mt. Pleasant for Central Michigan’s pro day. All 32 teams were in attendance, with OT Bernhard Raimann as the primary attraction.
Raimann is an Austrian native who is often projected as a top-40 pick. The Lions don’t need another offensive tackle, but he’s an intriguing prospect who also met with the team during the Senior Bowl week. Linemate Luke Goedeke, another Senior Bowler, does have some potential to head to Detroit as a versatile reserve lineman in the later rounds. He can play all the OL spots and has some impressive people-moving skills as a run blocker. Both Raimann and Goedeke began their college careers as tight ends.
There were several prospects from D-II programs Ferris State and Saginaw Valley State at the workout as well. Another Chippewa prospect to know: WR Kalil Pimpleton, a lightning-quick but undersized slot receiver who has a lot of juice as a return man too.
Auburn Tigers
The bigger school on Tuesday’s schedule was Auburn, where all 32 teams were also in attendance. The Lions primary focus from the Tigers was likely in the secondary, where CB Roger McCreary and S Smoke Monday are both appealing prospects.
The Lions know McCreary quite well. They coached him on the American team in January’s Senior Bowl. McCreary measured smaller and with shorter arms than expected in Mobile, but he’s working hard to overcome his lack of desired length. His game film against Alabama is one of the best any cornerback in this draft can boast, however. McCreary did improve upon his NFL scouting combine workout numbers in the morning workout. CB in the 32-34 overall range isn’t generally regarded as a priority need for Detroit but McCreary fits the bill if they are looking in that range.
Monday is a hard-hitting safety with size and closing speed. In Detroit’s defense he would function more as an extra linebacker until he proves he can handle coverage assignments down the field, something he struggled with for Auburn. Monday is generally projected in the third or fourth round of most mock drafts.
Other Tigers who could interest the Lions include LB Zacoby McClain and LB Chandler Wooten.
The results of the testing, courtesy of Rivals’ Brian Stultz:
