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On the final day of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions had their coordinators and position coaches break down their picks. Below is a recap of their comments.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin
On how fourth-round pick Gabe Wright will fit in the defense:
Teryl Austin calls Wright a hard competitor who fits mold of what Lions like at DT -- a penetrator who attacks.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) May 2, 2015
Wright will open as part of the DT rotation, but Lions expect him to develop into a starter.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) May 2, 2015
Austin said Lions want Wright to play 25-30 plays a game as a rotational guy.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015
On his desire for the Lions to pick Wright:
Teryl Austin said he was stumping for Gabe Wright. #Lions #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 2, 2015
On Wright's motor:
Teryl Austin says Wright has an "outstanding"motor.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) May 2, 2015
On the defensive line as a whole:
Austin on DL: "I think it'll have to take shape during camp, but I think we have pieces in place."
— Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) May 2, 2015
On third-round pick Alex Carter:
Teryl Austin on Lions CB Alex Carter: We anticipate that he’ll be able to help us at some point this year.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi
On the Lions' familiarity with fifth-round pick Michael Burton:
The #Lions had familiarity with Michael Burton because of TE coach Ron Prince, who was at #Rutgers. #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 2, 2015
On when the Lions first noticed Burton:
Joe Lombardi said new #Lions fullback Michael Burton caught GM Martin Mayhew's eye at the bowl game in Detroit at Ford Field
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015
On his desire to utilize the fullback position:
Lombardi said FBs may be a dying breed but he loves to have one. Burton has great hands out of backfield.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 2, 2015
On Burton's role and how the Lions' draft class will impact the running game:
Lombardi said Burton is a player who can come in and help right away.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 2, 2015
Lombardi: "We definitely want to and need to run the ball better than we did last year and these guys will help us do that."
— Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) May 2, 2015
On first-round pick Laken Tomlinson and second-round pick Ameer Abdullah:
Lomardi on Tomlinson: He's what I like in guards: big, stout players
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015
#Lions OC Joe Lombardi on Abdullah: He's just such a good individual. ... Decisive runner, very efficient runner, ability to hit home run.
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 2, 2015
Cornerbacks coach Tony Oden
On sixth-round pick Quandre Diggs' biggest strengths:
Lions CBs coach Tony Oden said Diggs can play inside/outside and is "smart beyond his years."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015
Oden said Diggs uses anticipation to make up for his middle-of-the-road long speed.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015
#Lions CB Tony Oden said Quandre Diggs is a four corps special teams player. #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 2, 2015
On the Lions' pre-draft contact with Diggs:
Oden called and checked in on Diggs last week. Lions also talked to him at the Senior Bowl and combine
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015
On if Diggs will ultimately play nickel or outside cornerback:
Diggs obviously has the size of an inside guy, but Oden said Lions will train him to play outside, too.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015
On Diggs' transition to the NFL:
#Lions CB coach Tony Oden said he thinks it'll be a smooth transition for Quandre Diggs in part due to his brother being Quentin Jammer.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 2, 2015
On Carter:
#Lions CB coach Tony Oden called Alex Carter's length "special." #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 2, 2015
Offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn
On seventh-round pick Corey Robinson's similarities to some current Lions offensive tackles:
Jeremiah Washburn says Corey Robinson somewhat similar to Waddle and Lucas.
— Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) May 2, 2015
Jeremiah Washburn said there is little differences between Corey Robinson and Waddle and Lucas. Asked what? "Haircuts." #Lions #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 2, 2015
On Robinson's size:
Washburn on Robinson: "He gets out of bed big .. He's a North Carolina native as am I. Those are good things."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015
On when the Lions worked out Robinson:
Jeremiah Washington said he worked out both Robinson and A.J. Cann last month, is excited about adding depth at the OT spot
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015
On where Robinson will play on the O-line:
Washburn says Robinson played LT at South Carolina but "every young tackle's gotta play both sides."
— Tori Petry (@sportstori) May 2, 2015
On the Lions' added offensive line depth:
#Lions O-line coach Jeremiah Washburn: "I'm excited about the infusion of depth.'' Added 2 O-linemen in draft plus acquired Manny Ramirez.
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 2, 2015
On focusing on durability:
Washburn on how Lions evaluated OL this year: We are definitely looking at the durability stuff because that was a theme last year.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015
On putting more of an emphasis on running the ball:
Washburn on if the Lions will be more of a power team, like Warford indicated this year: "He needs to keep that stuff in the room." So, yes
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015