The NFL Scouting Combine starts this week and by the end of the event the 32 teams in the NFL will have all the medical data and on-field testing numbers for the 324 draft-eligible participants here in Indianapolis. This is a big step in the pre-draft process.
Here's a look at five things to watch as the Lions front office and coaching staff prepare for the annual evaluation of this year's NFL Draft prospects.
1. Holmes and Campbell availability
Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell are expected to speak to the media in Indianapolis.
Detroit's first task this offseason was to focus on coaching and the evaluations at the Senior Bowl in early February. They got an up-close look at a lot of the senior prospects there.
Now the focus turns to the Combine. What do they view as the strengths in this draft? Where do they think the roster needs the most help this offseason? These are usually informative sessions on a wide range of topics.
View photos of the running back prospects who were invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
South Dakota State running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) runs for yardage against Sam Houston State during the first half of the NCAA college FCS Football Championship in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26) runs for a touchdown against Oregon during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Diego State Aztecs running back Greg Bell (22) runs with the ball during the NCAA college football game against the Nevada Wolf Pack, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates scoringt a touchdown against Miami during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept 18, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
UTSA running back Sincere McCormick (3) scores a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
North Carolina running back Ty Chandler (19) plays in an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
West Virginia running back Leddie Brown (4) rushes for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/William Wotring)
Oklahoma State running back Jaylen Warren runs into the end zone with a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Georgia running back Zamir White (3) dives over the goal line to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce (27) rushes for a 17-yard touchdown in front of Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
South Carolina running back ZaQuandre White (11) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Baylor running back Abram Smith (7) looks for running back looks for running room during an NCAA college football game against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Arizona State running back Rachaad White (3) runs for a touchdown against Southern Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Mississippi running back Jerrion Ealy (9) carries the ball against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Oregon's CJ Verdell, right, leaps away from Stanford's Malik Antoine during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Texas running back Keaontay Ingram (26) leaps over Utah defensive back Tareke Lewis (5) during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) during warmup before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) rushes for a 60-yard touchdown after breaking away from UTSA safety Rashad Wisdom (39) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
North Carolina State running back Zonovan Knight catches a pass during warms up before an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Wake Forest won 44-10. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price (3) carries the ball for a 4-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Baylor running back Trestan Ebner (25) makes the catch on a touchdown reception as Oklahoma cornerback Tre Brown (6) and linebacker Kenneth Murray (9) defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Big 12 Conference championship, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
BYU running back Tyler Allgeier dives for a touchdown as Navy defensive back Cameron Kinley (3) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Tommy Gilligan)
South Carolina running back Kevin Harris (20) catches a lateral during their game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Missouri running back Tyler Badie (1) escapes from Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Michigan running back Hassan Haskins (25) leaps over Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman (11) as he is tackled by linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, bottom right, in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. Michigan won 45-14. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Southeastern Louisiana defensive backs Dejion Lynch (6) and Derek Turner II (18) tackle Mississippi running back Snoop Conner (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Mississippi won 40-29. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) dives for a touchdown while defended West Virginia safety Sean Mahone (29) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)
Iowa running back Tyler Goodson (15) dives toward the end zone ahead of Middle Tennessee safety Gregory Grate Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. Goodson was ruled out of bounds short of the end zone. Iowa won 48-3. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Washington State running back Max Borghi, center, runs with the ball in front of New Mexico State defensive lineman Cedric Wilcots II, left, and linebacker Jonathan Hood during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. (24) breaks loose against New Mexico State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Georgia running back James Cook (6) runs up field against Austin Peay during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
FIU running back D'Vonte Price runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami won 31-17. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers (20) dives for the end zone for a touchdown with in Houston safety Terrell Williams, top, holding on to him in the second half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Honolulu. The play was called back because Rivers stepped out of bounds on the play. Fresno State beat Houston 33-27. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Texas A&M kick returner Jashaun Corbin (7) celebrates in the end zone after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
2. Hutchinson vs. Thibodeaux
The Lions had the second worst pass-rush win rate in the NFL last season, and their 30 sacks were the third fewest in the NFL. They expect to get Romeo Okwara back from an Achilles injury, but they could certainly look to add an edge rusher or two in this draft cycle.
Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson and Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux are the consensus top two best edge rushers in the draft, and the two names most commonly mocked to Detroit at No. 2.
Hutchinson has the size and production to make him one of the top prospects in this draft. Thibodeaux is an explosive athlete with a really big upside. Who tests better this week? Who impresses the most in their interview with the Lions brass?
3. Can Kyle Hamilton make a case at No. 2?
The Notre Dame safety has terrific size (6-4, 220), length and range. He's the kind of hybrid defender NFL teams love to employ these days. He's expected to test really well this week and start to make a case for being the best pure player in this class.
The Lions have a big need at safety, and they put a lot on their safeties in Aaron Glenn's defense. Will Hamilton put himself into the mix at No. 2 with a good week in Indy?
4. Wide receiver shuffle
This isn't as stout a wide receiver class as last year, when three players went in the Top 10 picks, but it's still a pretty good class deep with talent.
The Lions are obviously on the lookout to add to that room this offseason. Lions receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said at the Senior Bowl he'd like the team to sign a free agent receiver and potentially draft two more to increase competition.
There's a lot of potential for movement at receiver this week as the speed and agility testing begins. Which receivers will impress the most and move up draft boards?
View photos of the offensive line prospects who were invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
American Team offensive lineman Dylan Parham of Memphis (56) snaps the ball in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Ed Ingram of LSU (70) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Cade Mays of Tennessee (75) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Spencer Burford of UTSA (74) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Cole Strange of Tennessee-Chattanooga (69) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Chasen Hines of LSU (67) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Zion Johnson of Boston College (77) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Max Mitchell of Louisiana (73) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Marquis Hayes of Oklahoma (54) sets a block at the snap during the first half of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Matt Waletzko of North Dakota (73) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Braxton Jones of Southern Utah (77) sets a block at the snap during the third quarter of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Ja'Tyre Carter of Southern (65) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Nick Zakelj of Fordham (75) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
West offensive lineman Kellen Diesch, of Arizona State, (74) blocks East linebacker Big Kat Bryant, of UCF, (5) during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
National Team offensive lineman Abraham Lucas of Washington State runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Central Michigan offensive lineman Bernhard Raimann plays during an NCAA college football game against Eastern Michigan, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
North Dakota State offensive tackle Cordell Volson (67) lines up against Montana State during the second half of the NCAA college FCS Football Championship in Frisco, Texas, Saturday Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Illinois offensive lineman Vederian Lowe (79) looks make a block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
FILE - Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum (65) looks to make a block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Nov. 20, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum announced Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, he'll skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Minnesota offensive lineman Daniel Faalele (78) during the first half of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl NCAA college football game against West Virginia Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Georgia offensive lineman Justin Shaffer (54) celebrates after a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
San Diego State Aztecs offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (76) in an offensive stance during the NCAA college football game against the Nevada Wolf Pack, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Arizona State offensive lineman Dohnovan West (61) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) blocks against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal (73) sets up on the line during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu prepares to block a player during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Wake Forest offensive lineman Zach Tom (50) defends against Army during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in West Point, N.Y. Wake Forest won 70-56. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Kentucky offensive lineman Dare Rosenthal (51) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov.13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Kentucky offensive tackle Darian Kinnard (70) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Northern Iowa offensive lineman Trevor Penning (70) gets set for a play during an NCAA college football game against Southern Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Boston College offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom (72) points out the defense during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson Saturday, Oct.2, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2021, file photo, Ohio State offensive lineman Thayer Munford (75) plays against Oregon during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. Munford wanted to give himself his best chance to make it to the NFL. So a star who already had been invited to the Senior Bowl decided to return and become a "Super Senior." (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith (56) dives on the ball to recover a fumble in front of Houston linebacker Deontay Anderson (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Georgia offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (69) warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi offensive lineman Ben Brown (55) looks to block Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Nebraska's Cam Jurgens plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Kentucky guard Luke Fortner (79) celebrates a touchdown to put Kentucky up 35-28 during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green (55) setups up for a play against Kent State of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
TCU offensive tackle Obinna Eze (55) faces off against California defensive end JH Tevis (47) during an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Virginia Tech's Lecitus Smith #54 is seen pre-game against West Virginia during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Morgantown,W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Ohio State offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere plays against Tulsa during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker (53) looks to block Ball State linebacker Christian Albright (9) during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept.11, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota offensive lineman Blaise Andries (77)blocks against Ohio State in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. Ohio State won 45-31. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Michigan offensive lineman Andrew Stueber (71) goes up against Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Pittsburgh place kicker Alex Kessman (97), center, hits a field goal as Virginia Tech's Luke Tenuta (69) leaps in an effort to block it during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tulsa Golden Hurricane offensive lineman Chris Paul (71) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
North Carolina's Dyami Brown (2) celebrates a touchdown against North Carolina State with teammates Joshua Ezeudu (75) and Javonte Williams (25) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyrese Robinson (52) protects quarterback Spencer Rattler during an NCAA college football game against TCU, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Oklahoma won 33-14. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
San Diego State Aztecs offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (76) and William Dunkle (73) await at the line of scrimmage as Fresno State Bulldogs defensive tackle Kevin Atkins (90) rushes during the second half of the NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, in San Diego. The Aztecs won 17-7. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)
UCLA offensive lineman Sean Rhyan (74) blocks Utah defensive tackle Viane Moala (98) in the second half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Central Michigan's Luke Goedeke is shown against Eastern Michigan during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Arkansas offensive lineman Myron Cunningham sets up to block against San Jose State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis (24) tries to get past LSU offensive lineman Austin Deculus (76) in the second half of an NCAA football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Tuscaloosa , Ala. LSU won 46-41. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Texas Tech center Dawson Deaton (73) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Washington's Luke Wattenberg in action against Eastern Washington in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Logan Bruss (60) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
5. NFC North news
Brian Gutekunst (Packers GM), Matt LaFleur (Packers HC), Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Vikings GM), Kevin O'Connell (Vikings HC) and Matt Eberflus (Bears HC) are all scheduled to speak the media assembled at the Combine.
This will be a good first look for Lions fans into the philosophies for new regimes in Chicago and Minnesota. I'm sure Aaron Rodgers and the tough spot the Packers are in when it comes to their salary cap will be topics of discussion in the media sessions with Gutekunst and LaFleur.
It's always good to stay on top of what's happening in the division, so we'll be sure to keep everyone up to date.
