When Potential Meets Reality
The Lions had a solid draft, but Brad Holmes wasn’t done working. The undrafted free agent class brought in some intriguing pieces, and none more so than USC edge rusher Anthony Lucas. This is a guy who should have been drafted. The question is whether he can finally put it all together in Honolulu Blue.
I reached out to Los Angeles Times USC beat writer Ryan Kartje to get the real story on Lucas. What I learned is both encouraging and familiar for Lions fans who have watched too many “potential” stories over the years.
The Scouting Report That Says Everything
When asked about Lucas showing flashes but never putting it all together, Kartje was honest. “When you see Lucas up close, you don’t need to be a scouting expert to understand how much potential he has. He somehow looks bigger than his measurables suggest.”
But here’s the catch. “However, he has never quite put it all together on the field. Some of that is due to ill-timed injuries. But he always seemed on the verge of a breakout and never quite got there.”
Sound familiar? This franchise has seen more “on the verge” players than we care to count. The difference now is we have a coaching staff that actually develops talent instead of wasting it.
Run Stopper First, Pass Rusher Maybe
Lucas projects as a solid run defender right away. “I do think his most developed skills as a defensive lineman are against the run, and that’s where he’ll be most useful right away,” Kartje noted. But can he rush the passer at the NFL level?
“I think he’s capable of both. But he hasn’t shown the consistency with his pass rush. Especially when it comes to finishing,” Kartje explained. Lucas had 23 pressures last season and hit the quarterback 11 times, but only managed three sacks.
That’s the classic college production question. Getting there but not finishing. The good news? “With good coaching, I think someone can get the best out of Lucas’ pass rush skills. He’s never going to be a prolific sack artist, though, by any means.”
If anyone can unlock that potential, it’s this coaching staff. They’ve done it before.
The Character Question
Draft analyst Dane Brugler mentioned Lucas could be something if the “care factor” stays high. When I asked Kartje about effort concerns, he provided context.
“I could see how someone would get that impression. Sometimes, he may have come off as a quieter and more aloof personality. But by the end of his time at USC, Lucas seemed to be pretty vocal on USC’s defense — at least at times when I was watching him closely.”
Quiet doesn’t mean lazy. And this Lions culture has a way of bringing out the best in players who want to work.
Why He Fell
Lucas was the only Lions undrafted free agent ranked within draftable parameters. So why didn’t anyone pull the trigger?
“It’s hard to say, but I’m sure the injury concerns and the lack of high-level production don’t help. I still think Lucas deserved to be drafted, if only as a bet on potential,” Kartje said. “The question is whether he can be more than just a good college run defender. If he can, he’ll be more than worth the investment.”
That’s the gamble Holmes made. In a league where edge rushers are gold, finding one as an undrafted free agent could be a massive win. Or it could be another “almost” story.
But here’s the thing about this front office. They don’t just collect potential. They develop it. And if Lucas has the work ethic to match his physical tools, he might just surprise some people in Allen Park.
Think Lucas can crack the 53-man roster or is this just another camp body with good measurables? Let me know in the comments below.
This is exactly the kind of move that gives me hope about what Brad Holmes is building. A guy with physical tools who just needed the right situation to develop them? That’s the smart play. Holmes and Campbell aren’t afraid to take shots on guys who fall through the cracks, and I think Lucas could be a steal.
I want to believe this works out, but the article basically spells out the problem right there – he had chances at USC and couldn’t finish. Injuries happen but the lack of consistency is real. I hope Campbell’s coaching unlocks something, but I’ve seen too many ‘potential’ guys not pan out to get too excited yet.
The difference between now and the bad old days is that we actually have people in charge who know how to develop talent. Back when I was suffering through those years, we’d just hoard these guys and waste them. At least with Campbell and this staff you know Lucas is going to get a real shot to become something.
Undrafted edge rusher who falls for consistency issues but has great tape? If anyone can coach that out of him it’s this staff. We’ve seen them do it already. Lucas could legitimately be a huge pickup if he buys in.