The Detroit Lions got an up-close look at Senior Bowl prospects last season when they coached the American team in the annual college all-star game.
They won’t have the same luxury this season, as the NFL has allocated full coaching staffs to the Shrine Game instead of the Senior Bowl, but Lions assistant Shaun Dion Hamilton is in Mobile, Alabama, this week to work hands-on with the American team cornerbacks.
Last year, the Lions drafted two players from the game: defensive lineman Josh Paschal in Round 2 and safety Kerby Joseph in Round 3.
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Here are 10 players — one at every position — for the Lions to keep close tabs on this week with the draft three months away.
OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
Torrence is the top-ranked guard in the draft, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., and a potential first-round pick. It’s too early to say if the Lions would go offensive line at No. 18 overall, but they need a long-term solution at right guard and Torrence is a plug-and-play starter. He earned All-American honors at Florida in 2022 after starting his first three seasons at Louisiana and he has the temperament as a blocker the Lions need for their run game.
RB Kenny McIntosh, Georgia
The Lions have gotten mixed returns from the last Georgia running back they drafted, D’Andre Swift in 2020, and could be looking for his eventual replacement this offseason. McIntosh became the first back in Georgia history to top 800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a season. He’s one of the best receiving backs in the draft, and he has plenty of tread left after playing behind James Cook, Swift and others in recent seasons. If the Lions re-sign Jamaal Williams in free agency, McIntosh is the type of versatile back they can target in the middle rounds.
CB Anthony Johnson, Virginia
The best cornerbacks in this year’s draft either aren’t in Mobile or aren’t Senior Bowl-eligible, but the Lions have a significant need at the position and will be keeping close tabs on the talent this week. Johnson has the size profile (6 feet 2, 202 pounds) and production (12 pass breakups, two interceptions last season) the Lions like at the position. As a bonus, he’ll play for Hamilton on the American team this week.
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S Sydney Brown, Illinois
The Lions had success drafting a safety with good ball production, Joseph, in the third round of last year’s draft, and Brad Holmes could go back to the same well this spring. Brown, Joseph’s old teammate, tied for third in NCAA football with six interceptions last season, including one returned for a touchdown. He’s not as big (listed at 6-0) or rangy as Joseph, but he’s one of the top safeties in this class and the Lions need depth at the position with DeShon Elliott slated for free agency and Tracy Walker returning from a torn Achilles.
QB Tyson Bagent, Shepherd
The Lions could be in the market for a first-round quarterback, though that seems unlikely given how Jared Goff played this season. If they want to spend a Day 3 pick on a young backup, all six of the quarterbacks playing in the Senior Bowl this week fit that description. Bagent has perhaps the most to gain from his time in Mobile. The 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy winner as the Division II player of the year, Bagent finished his career with 17,034 passing yards and an NCAA all-division-record 159 touchdown passes. If he fares well against a step up in competition, he should cement his status as a draftable prospect.
TE Payne Durham, Purdue
Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave is the top tight end prospect in Mobile, but Durham seems like a fit for the Lions. He’s one of the best blocking tight ends in this draft, and he has receiving upside after catching 101 passes and 14 touchdowns the past two seasons. The Lions are high on last year’s fifth-round pick, James Mitchell, but will be in the market for a tight end this offseason.
DL Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
A Lansing native, Brooks has packed on approximately 80 pounds since his days as a high school linebacker but still has some of the same movement skills. He had 10 sacks last season and 27½ in his five-year career. Like Bagent, he’ll face a step up in competition this week, with scouts looking to see where he fits best in the NFL. If he shines, he could interest the Lions as a three-technique pass rusher.
LB Aubrey Miller, Jackson State
The Lions got one of the steals of last year’s draft in linebacker James Houston, a sixth-round pick from Jackson State. Miller, Houston’s former teammate, comes to the Senior Bowl with a similar pedigree. A Missouri transfer, Miller had 226 tackles the past two seasons while splitting his time between middle and weakside linebacker. He can’t rush the passer like Houston, but Houston’s success could portend well for his future.
WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
The Lions probably won’t draft a receiver high this year, but they need another outside pass catcher to pair with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Hutchinson has the requisite size to play outside at a listed 6-3 and 205 pounds, and he had an accomplished college career with 254 catches the past three seasons for 2,929 yards. He won’t be the fastest or shiftiest receiver in Mobile, but he could leave town firmly in the Day 2 receiver mix.
K Chad Ryland, Maryland
Plagued by kicking woes most of the past two seasons, the Lions could be in the market to draft a kicker this spring. Ryland, an Eastern Michigan transfer, has one of the top legs in the draft. He made 16 of 20 field goals at Maryland last season with a long of 53 yards. Kicking conditions can be tough in Mobile, with unfamiliar snappers and holders and inclement weather to sometimes battle. Ryland is one of three specialists with Michigan ties (along with Michigan kicker Jake Moody and Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer) who could be drafted this year.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.