INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. >> Reggie Ragland could fill a gap in the Lions defense created when middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch was released.
ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s mock draft has the Lions taking Ragland, who played at Alabama, with the 16th overall pick.
“(Teams) see me as a Mike (linebacker) and making the calls. A lot of teams like me playing off the edge but they’d love to see me being a true Mike and making all the calls,” Ragland said on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Ragland said he also has the ability to drop into coverage and play in open space.
“I know I can do it, I’ve done it this year and showed people I can do it,” Ragland said. “So it’s really just getting out there and keep proving people wrong because I know a lot of people think I might not can do it. I want to show people I have good hips, fluid hips and I’m able to drop in coverage and attack people in space.”
Ragland is a new man since the Senior Bowl last month. He’s dropped 12 pounds and is down to 247.
“I wanted to drop it and get it down so I changed my diet, I still worked out the same, I had a low carb diet and it really helped me shave down the pounds,” Ragland said. “I was eating a lot of chicken and fish, no fried foods, I didn’t eat out. My food was cooked and prepared for me, a lot of fiber.”
He said teams did not suggest that he lose weight.
“They didn’t really tell me but I wanted to get it down for myself. That’s not me to have my weight up like that,” Ragland said. “After the national championship I gave myself a week to sit down and chill and I ended up eating too much. After that I really grinded to get my weight down.”
Work ethic key for Heath
Michigan State defensive tackle Joel Heath is projected as a seventh-round pick or could be an undrafted free agent.
He wants teams to understand his work ethic.
“Just being a hard worker, I think that’s one of the biggest things that a lot of people want in an organization. Just working hard no matter what I do whether it be pursuit after the drill, just the small things, and great technique – being able to have great steps, being able to be fast, physical, all those different components of being a great football player.”
Heath is one of seven Spartans who are participating in the combine.
“I think the biggest thing is this is the only opportunity you have, that’s always been pretty signficant, thinking about this opportunity being in the combine. With this being the opportunity it makes it rewarding coming in for four days and giving it everything you’ve got.”
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