Marshawn Kneeland to Visit Lions

A DE from Western Michigan visited Allen Park one week prior to the draft.

This week, Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive end from Western Michigan, is scheduled to visit the Detroit Lions, as per sources.

In addition to going to Green Bay and Buffalo this week, Kneeland will be at Allen Park. This is the last week that teams can host prospects on top-30 visits.

He joins Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Utah S/RB Sione Vaki, and Illinois DT Johnny Newton as the only four players to visit and meet with the Lions prior to the draft at the Combine.

The local product that emerged from the Mid-American Conference is very interesting. He has created excitement to enter the first round as late as possible. In fact, CBS Sports recently made fun of him for being selected by the Lions at No. 29 overall.

Originating from Grand Rapids’ Godwin Heights High School, Kneeland wasn’t always well-known on college campuses. Over his four seasons with the Broncos, he recorded 12.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler states in his Draft guide, “The Beast,” that Kneeland is still a developing prospect in his opinion. In the class, he has the WMU product ranked as the 32nd best player overall.

“Overall, Kneeland is still taking classes in the art of the pass rush, but he is charged up into contact and displays twitch throughout his frame, which allows him to defeat blockers in different ways,” wrote Brugler. “He projects as a starting base end whose best football is yet to come.”

Although Kneeland hasn’t produced much in the pass-rush aspect of the game, he was able to exert some pressure on the quarterbacks on the other team. Despite only recording 4.5 sacks in 10 games with the Broncos last season, he had 37 total pressures.

Though his sack totals may not be jaw-dropping, Kneeland is a disciplined run defender who might be of great assistance to the Lions in that regard. He plays with a strong motor and served as team captain.

The Grand Rapids native, along with players like Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse, and Chop Robinson, is considered one of the class’s top five edge rushers.