Exploring how Jamal Agnew’s position switch from defensive back to wide receiver impacts the Detroit Lions 2020 roster.
Speculation about Detroit Lions Jamal Agnew possibly making a position switch came to the surface in a Pro Football Talk’s Peter King report on Monday. And now today, Dave Birkett of the Free Press is reporting that Agnew is indeed making a position switch from defensive back to wide receiver.
“Agnew has been attending virtual meetings with both the wide receivers and cornerbacks this spring,” Birkett said, “but the Lions plan to transition him exclusively to offense when they return to the field this summer.”
While Agnew is primarily known for his special teams return ability — he was the only player in the NFL to have a punt and kick return for a touchdown in 2019 — he has been featured on offense as a gadget player a handful of times (32 total) over his three-year career.
Last season Agnew saw 16 snaps on offense — 10 in the final week of the regular season — and all at wide receiver. The Lions apparently liked what they saw because according to Birkett, “the Lions approached him about making the conversion full time this spring.”
Agnew has shown the ability to be a weapon on special teams, but with the league moving away from special teams in the name of player safety, Agnew needed to show he can do more to get on the field.
If he can also perform as a reliable gadget option — as well as an emergency defensive back — he will make himself very valuable to a team who prioritizes versatility.
So how does Agnew’s switch impact the roster?
The first name that jumps to mind is fifth-round pick Jason Huntly, as he and Agnew are capable of being gadget players in the backfield, as well as slot options at wide receiver. But there are three things that cause me to pause in saying these two are in a pure head to head matchup. First, they play different positions, second, the Lions are desperate for speed on offense, and third, they planned on switching Agnew in the spring and still drafted Huntley, indicating they may have a plan for both.
The next name that comes to mind is the Lions other fifth-round pick wide receiver Quintez Cephus. While Agnew and Cephus play the same position, they are very different players and win in different ways — there’s also point three from above that still remains true.
But if Agnew is going to make the Lions 53-man roster on offense, it’ll be an offensive player that will have to be squeezed out.
In my latest 53-man roster projection, I examined the benefits of keeping a sixth wide receiver versus a fourth tight end and came away with undrafted rookie Hunter Bryant as my winner — based on the fact that he was an offensive weapon in the slot.
If Agnew can also prove to be an offensive weapon in the slot, while also contributing on special teams, he would push ahead of Bryant in my eyes.
With Bryant off my projection and Agnew switching sides of the ball, that creates a slot on defense — and this is an easy choice for me — as it now opens the door for safety/gunner C.J. Moore to jump back in the 53.
The opportunity is there for Agnew to expand his role and solidify a spot on the 53-man roster — now he just has to execute the plan.
