Lions assistant GM looking for 'growth' out of rookie DL Ahmed Hassanein
Lions assistant GM looking for 'growth' out of rookie DL Ahmed Hassanein
Detroit Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew held a news conference on Friday to kick off rookie minicamp and discuss some of the young players the team brought in this season.
"This is one of the most exciting days for me, man," Agnew said. "Just seeing the joy on those kids' faces."
One of the more popular storylines coming into this minicamp is that of 6th-round defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein. The first-ever Egyptian to be drafted, Hassanein is the only edge rusher the Lions drafted at a position of significant need.
Agnew shared his modest expectations for Hassanein ahead of Friday's camp.
'I just think some growth," Agnew said.
"It will be some growing pains on this level because you've got pretty good football players on this level."
Hassanein is projected to land toward the bottom of the EDGE depth chart entering the 2025 season, but given how the Lions' season went last year, there's still a chance he could end up seeing the field in a key moment by season's end.
"I just see him as he gets taught more tools in his toolbelt as far as a pass rusher – using his hands better, learning when to rush with leverage, learning when you have the sweet spot and turn the corner, so just learning some nuances of the game," Agnew said.
Lions rookie minicamp is scheduled to continue through Sunday.
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