The Lions Host Georgia LB Chaz Chambliss for a Top-30 Visit: What It Means for Draft Plans
The NFL draft season is heating up, and teams are making their final evaluations. One name that recently popped up on the Detroit Lions' radar is Georgia linebacker Chaz Chambliss. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, Chambliss was in Detroit this week for an official top-30 visit. While not necessarily a high-profile name, his visit signals that the Lions are doing their due diligence in scouting potential hidden gems for their roster.
Who is Chaz Chambliss?
If you haven't been following Georgia's defense closely, let’s get you up to speed. Chambliss had a breakout season in 2024, leading the Bulldogs with 6.5 sacks while also racking up 41 tackles. His performance on the field, particularly during high-stakes games like the SEC Championship against Texas and the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal against Notre Dame, showed his ability to step up when it matters. In those two crucial games, he recorded one sack and five tackles, proving he can be a disruptive force against top-tier competition.
What Does a Top-30 Visit Mean?
For those unfamiliar, every NFL team is allowed to bring in 30 prospects for pre-draft visits. While it might sound like these are their 30 most coveted players, that's not always the case. Sometimes, teams use these visits to gather additional information—especially on players who weren’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, like Chambliss. These meetings can be used for medical evaluations, in-depth interviews, or simply to gauge a player's personality and football IQ.
The Lions bringing Chambliss in for a visit suggests they see some potential in him, even if he isn’t a household name. It also highlights Detroit's focus on bolstering its pass rush depth behind Aidan Hutchinson. Given that Chambliss wasn’t invited to the Combine, the Lions likely want to do their own evaluations before making any draft decisions.
Chambliss' Draft Stock: Late-Round Sleeper?
Despite his solid college production, Chambliss isn’t widely projected as an early-round pick. In fact, there’s a good chance he could be a late-round selection or even go undrafted. That said, the Lions could view him as a developmental piece—someone who could provide depth and contribute on special teams while refining his skills at the next level.
Detroit has been known to take chances on players with high motor and strong work ethic, and Chambliss fits that mold. His pass-rushing ability, combined with his physicality, makes him an intriguing option for teams looking to add some depth in the later rounds. If he doesn’t hear his name called on draft day, don’t be surprised if the Lions or another team scoop him up as an undrafted free agent.
The Bigger Picture: Lions' Offseason Strategy
The Lions have made it clear that improving their defense is a priority this offseason. While Aidan Hutchinson has been a game-changer for Detroit’s pass rush, the team needs to build depth to keep their front seven competitive for an entire season. Adding a player like Chambliss—whether through the draft or as a free agent—could be part of a larger effort to ensure they have the necessary reinforcements when injuries inevitably happen.
With the NFL Draft quickly approaching, top-30 visits will be a hot topic over the next several weeks. These meetings don’t necessarily mean a team is set on drafting a player, but they do offer valuable insight into what teams are thinking. For Chambliss, this visit is a chance to make a strong impression and potentially secure a future in the NFL.
As draft day gets closer, keep an eye on how the Lions continue to shape their roster. Will Chambliss be part of their future plans? Only time will tell, but his visit to Detroit shows that he’s at least on their radar.
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