Darius Slay

Cornerback Darius Slay was one of three players drafted by the Detroit Lions last season who had a pre-draft visit with the team.

(AP File Photo)

The Detroit Lions have wrapped up their 2014 pre-draft visits. But exactly how important are those visits and what can we glean from who the team hosted at its practice facility the past two months?

Truthfully, not much. Going back over the past four years, a consistent correlation hasn't formed between which players the Lions draft based on these visits.

Last year, the Lions brought in three of their eventual draft picks -- Darius Slay (2nd), Sam Martin (5th) and Michael Williams (7th). The team also signed offensive tackle LaAdrian Waddle and running back Steven Miller as undrafted free agents.

It's worth noting, the team also had extensive interaction with Ezekiel Ansah and Larry Warford while coaching the Senior Bowl, eliminating the need for additional interaction before the draft.

The year before, 26 of Detroit's 30 visits were reported, but the team did not select any of those prospects. J.C. Oram, Braylon Broughton and Conroy Black all signed as undrafted free agents, although Black originally signed with the Raiders.

In 2011, the Lions actually hosted four of the team's five draft picks. Nick Fairley, Mikel Leshoure Doug Hogue and Johnny Culbreath all made the trip to Allen Park. Wide receiver Titus Young was the exception.

The data for 2010 is limited. Only 17 visits were reported, and of those, Ndamukong Suh was the only player the franchise selected.

This year, the Lions focused heavily on wide receivers and defensive backs. The team used 16 of their 30 alloted visits on those two position groups, including nearly a dozen prospects projected to be taken in the first three rounds.

The team also brought in three players expected to go top-five overall in Sammy Watkins, Khalil Mack and Jadeveon Clowney, fueling speculation the Lions are actively looking to move up from No. 10.

Below is the complete list of 2014 pre-draft visits:

Wide receiver (8)

Davante Adams, Fresno State

John Brown, Pittsburg State

Martavius Bryant, Clemson

Cody Latimer, Indiana

Marqise Lee, USC

Erik Lora, Eastern Illinois

Sammy Watkins, Clemson

Unknown eighth receiver

Tight ends (3)

Eric Ebron, North Carolina

C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington

Running backs (1)

Dri Archer, Kent State

Offensive linemen (2)

Taylor Lewan, Michigan

Marcus Martin, USC

Defensive linemen (3)

Denico Autry, Mississippi State

Jadaveon Clowney, South Carolina

Larry Webster, Bloomsburg

Defensive backs (8)

Deone Bucannon, Washington State

Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Alabama

Jerome Couplin, William and Mary

Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State

Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska

Dexter McDougal, Maryland

Bradley Roby, Ohio State

Linebackers (4)

Khairi Fortt, California

Khalil Mack, Buffalo

Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College

Kyle Van Noy, BYU

Kickers (1)

Nate Freese, Boston College