Ronnell

Lewis

Lewis is smallish at 6'2/253 and had just 5.5 sacks in 10 games as a junior last season, but he’s an explosive athlete. Much like Lions franchise player Cliff Avril, Lewis will be asked to rush the passer from the edge.

Built like franchise player Cliff Avril, Lewis stands just under 6-foot-2 and weighs 253 pounds. Lewis was pegged by most draftniks as a future 3-4 outside ‘backer, but the Lions don’t discriminate against size in pass rushers for their “Wide Nine” scheme. Lewis will fight for scraps on defense as a rookie.

Lewis (6'2/253) will likely have to transition from end to 3-4 outside linebacker in the pros, but he had a solid Combine. He also pumped 225 pounds 36 times. Lewis is a more explosive specimen than his college production indicates, though we suspect he’ll be a middle-round pick. He’s not scheme versatile.

Lewis battled an ankle injury and brief suspension as a junior to rack up 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks on 10 games (nine starts), earning first-team All-Big 12 accolades. A hybrid end/linebacker, Lewis is listed at 6-foot-2, 244 and will likely interest primarily 3-4 teams. CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang currently has a late second- to early third-round grade on Lewis.

He’s undersized for an end at 6-foot-2, 253, but the Lions care most about raw pass-rushing skill in their “Wide Nine” formation. Lewis may have a tough time earning snaps as a rookie, behind Cliff Avril, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Willie Young, and Lawrence Jackson. Lewis is more likely to contribute in 2013.

“My hope is that one of the counts will be dismissed and then we’ll get a deferment on the other two for a short period,” Lewis’ lawyer said. “That’s my expectation.” Lewis is due in court next month. Ticketed for a backup role, the case shouldn’t affect Lewis’ roster spot.

Lewis, a fourth-round rookie out of Oklahoma, found himself buried behind the Lions’ impressive defensive line depth. That could change in 2013 with Cliff Avril and Lawrence Jackson set to become unrestricted free agents. “I think [Lewis] is going to be a factor going forward,” GM Martin Mayhew said. “I think he’ll be a good rotational defensive end/special-teams player for us. He’s got ability, without question.”

The former Oklahoma Sooner is charged with disturbing the peace, public intoxication and interfering with official procedure. It’s a minor incident in the grand scheme of things, but not a good look for a 2012 fourth-rounder who played just one snap on defense as a rookie. Lewis will fight for a rotational role along the Lions’ remade defensive line in training camp.

This comes just two months after Lewis pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of disturbing the peace and public intoxication. The Lions released the 2012 fourth-round pick two weeks ago.

Lewis, last year’s fourth-round pick, wasn’t expected to make the team. The Lions brought in four new defensive ends in the offseason, and Lewis was involved in a bar fight in the spring. Hope is a 12-year veteran.