How does Jamal Agnew go about topping a rookie season in which he led the NFL in both punt return average (15.4) and punt return touchdowns (2) while earning an All-Pro nod?
Agnew and Arizona's Budda Baker, who made it as a special teamer, were the only rookies to be honored with All-Pro selections last season.
"I stay motivated," Agnew said after Sunday's first padded practice of training camp. "I'm always trying to get better. Trying to find new roles on the team."
Agnew played a little bit on defense as a slot cornerback last season, and is in the mix of players competing for a larger role at that spot this year in camp. He also played a little bit on offense because he's such a dynamic open-field runner. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to see him play on that side of the ball in certain packages again this season.
However, it's special teams and returning punts where Agnew really made his mark as a rookie. How does he go about improving that area that was already the best in the NFL a year ago?
"I think something that stuck with me that a coach told me was, especially coming into this year, was that you can't do the same thing you did last offseason going into last year," Agnew said.
Agnew knows that because of the season he had last year there won't be any sneaking up on teams in 2018. He was a fifth-round pick as an undersized cornerback out of San Diego last year. It's possible opponents overlooked him, at least early on, until his play forced them not to.
Every special teams coordinator in the league set to play the Detroit Lions this year will have a complete and thorough scouting report on Agnew and a game plan for containing him starting Week 1.
View photos from Day 3 of 2018 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Sylvester Williams (92) warms up before training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (93) warms up before training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steve Longa (54) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback DeShawn Shead (26) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Antwuan Davis (36) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) takes the handoff during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver TJ Jones (13) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (1) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Teo Redding (10) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang (76) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington (36) carries the ball during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) takes the handoff during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive players head to the first drill to start training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Brian Mihalik (72) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kenny Wiggins (79) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Tyrell Crosby (65) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president and general manager Bob Quinn watches training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bellore (43) practices ball security during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) hits running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Tyrell Crosby (65) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Luke Willson (82) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jace Billingsley (16) protects the ball during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington (36) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks with linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defense during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) at the line of scrimmage during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Wesley Johnson (73) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) is wrapped up during a drill in training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang (76) cools off during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) and tackle Taylor Decker (76) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) practices ball security during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans watch Detroit Lions training camp presented by Rocket Mortgage practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Christian Jones (52) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback DeShawn Shead (26) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) is wrapped up during a drill in training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (93) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Corey Robinson (70) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Rick Wagner (71) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (93) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans watch practice at Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Charles Washington (45) breaks up a pass during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty (51) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Stefan McClure (30) breaks up a pass during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) covers wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball off to running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) covers tight end Marcus Lucas (86) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during goal line drills in training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during goal line drills in training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McGrath (85) celebrates a touchdown run with running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) scores on a goal line drill during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans watch practice at Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amari Coleman (34) during training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a field goal at the end of training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford signs autographs following training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater signs autographs with help from his son, Pax following training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. signs autographs following training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans at Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Sunday; July 29; 2018 in Allen Park; Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang spends time with his family after training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford spends time with his daughter following training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel and his family following training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang spends time with his family after training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater plays with his son, Pax after training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
So part of the way Agnew set out to improve his craft this offseason was to do a little scouting of his own. Agnew said he hit the film room.
"I'm trying to find weaknesses in other team's punting units and kickoff units and just little things like that you don't really think of as a rookie," he said. "Coming in as a rookie, you're all over the place trying to learn different things. Definitely coming into the second year, I'm really learning to focus on the smaller details."
It's that attention to detail that has Agnew confident he can be an ever better return man in year two.
"I'm hopeful," he said. "I'm confident I can. I have a lot of work to do. Fortunately, I was blessed with All-Pro (last year), but I have to get even better this year. That's my goal. Come out here and get better at something every day. It ticks me off if I don't get better at something every day.
"I want to be at that great level, so consistency, coming out here every day with a purpose, I think is crucial."
