Marshawn Kneeland to Visit Lions

Western Michigan DE visiting Allen Park during week before the Draft.

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Michigan defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (DL41). / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions will host Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland on a visit this week, according to reports.

Kneeland will visit Allen Park along with trips to Green Bay and Buffalo this week, which is the final week that teams can host prospects on top-30 visits.

He is one of four players to have a pre-draft visit and formal meeting with the Lions at the Combine, joining Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Utah S/RB Sione Vaki and Illinois DT Johnny Newton.

The local product is intriguing coming out of the Mid-American Conference. He has generated buzz to go as early as late in the first round. In fact, he was recently mocked to the Lions at No. 29 overall by CBS Sports.

Hailing from Godwin Heights High School in Grand Rapids, Kneeland was not always a known commodity at the collegiate level. He finished his career with the Broncos with 12.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss over four seasons.

In his Draft guide, 'The Beast,' The Athletic's Dane Brugler explains that he believes Kneeland is a still-blossoming prospect. He has the WMU product ranked as the 32nd overall player in the class.

"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," Brugler wrote. "He projects as a starting base end whose best football is yet to come."

Kneeland has not had a ton of production in the pass-rush element of the game, but he was able to put some heat on opposing passers. He posted just 4.5 sacks last season for the Broncos, but had 37 total pressures in 10 games.

While not possessing eye-popping sack totals, Kneeland is a disciplined run defender who could help the Lions plenty in that area. He was also a team captain and plays with a high motor.

The Grand Rapids native is viewed as a top-five edge rusher in the class, along with the likes of Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse and Chop Robinson.