In the aftermath of the annual NFL draft, teams often reshuffle their front office and scouting departments to better prepare for the upcoming season. This year, the Detroit Lions have seen notable departures, with Lance Newmark moving on to the Washington Commanders and Dave Sears taking up a new role with the Arizona Cardinals as their assistant general manager.
However, the Lions have quickly turned these departures into an opportunity to fortify their front office team by bringing in two highly esteemed talent evaluators, according to various reports. Neil Stratton was the first to break the news, with confirmation from notable sources like Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that Tom Roth and Dwayne Joseph are heading to Detroit in roles that have yet to be officially announced.
Roth comes with an extensive scouting background, having dedicated twenty years to the profession. He boasts 14 years of experience as a college scout for the Buffalo Bills before spending the last six years scrutinizing talent across the nation as an area scout for the Tennessee Titans.
On the other hand, Joseph enters the Lions’ den with a rich history in player development and scouting, commencing his career back in 1998 with the Chicago Bears. His journey included a significant stint with the Miami Dolphins as a scout, where he worked alongside current Lions head coach Dan Campbell from 2010-2011.
He would then return to the Bears, taking on the role of assistant director of pro scouting in 2012, before assuming the position of director of pro personnel with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, and later, director of pro scouting for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019. His tenure with the Raiders came under scrutiny during the recent general manager change, making his move to Detroit somewhat anticipated among league circles.
Joseph’s vast experience and near-miss with the general manager position with the Raiders, coupled with a previous interview for the Lions’ top job, underscore his reputation in the NFL’s scouting and personnel community. Alongside Tom Roth, the pair are set to bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to the Lions’ front office.
Their arrival heralds a potentially strategic move for the Lions, especially as speculation around assistant general manager Ray Agnew’s future looms. Commentators like Erik Schlitt of Pride of Detroit suggest that Joseph, in particular, could play a crucial role in filling any emerging gaps within the Lions’ management structure, should Agnew depart for a general manager position elsewhere.
As the Lions embark on this new chapter, the additions of Roth and Joseph represent significant milestones in the team’s relentless pursuit of talent and a competitive edge in the NFL landscape.
