Lions Hope To Spark Jamal Agnew With Move To Wide Receiver

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Jamal Agnew's career has fallen off since his All-Pro rookie season. Looks like the Lions are trying to revive it with a move to offense. 

Agnew will make the full-time switch from defensive back to wide receiver starting this summer, as reported by the Free Press. His position change was first revealed by Peter King, who noted in his weekly column this Monday that Agnew has been taking part in virtual meetings with Detroit's wide receivers this spring. 

Agnew, who's seen sporadic snaps on offense through his first three seasons, will likely compete for the fifth spot at receiver, behind Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola and fifth-round draft pick Quintez Cephus.

Agnew has proven dangerous with the ball in his hands as a return man. He led the NFL in punt return yards in 2017, when he seemed like a star on the rise. He's been Detroit's primary kick returner, too. 

But injuries, fumbles and ineffectiveness as a cornerback have driven Agnew to the bubble of the Lions roster. And his job at returner isn't guaranteed in 2020 with the arrival of Jason Huntley, the speedy running back Detroit drafted in the fifth round. 

At receiver, Agnew will have the chance to play himself back into the team's long-term plans.