The annual East-West Shrine game, which features some of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, will be played on Tuesday, January 27th at 7 p.m. ET and can be watched on NFL Network. In this piece, we’ll take a look at which prospects the Detroit Lions could be interested in adding to their roster.
While all-star events like this (and the Senior Bowl) are designed to showcase top players, several scouts gather most of their information during practices and typically don’t stay for the game. As a result, players sometimes drop out of the game, opting to focus on the NFL Combine rather than risk injury. With that in mind, it’s possible that not all of the players listed below will play in the game, but it’s still worth taking note of why the Lions may be interested in them.
Note: For nearly 100 years, this event has raised money for the Shriners Children’s, a charity organization dedicated to providing assistance for children with specialized medical needs.
Erik: While Claiborne doesn’t quite possess Jahmyr Gibbs’ elite speed, there are a lot of traits that the two share. When watching Claiborne’s game film, you can quickly see how, despite having elite feet, the rest of his body remains firmly under control, which leads to terrific contact balance, lateral agility, and the ability to hit maximum speed very quickly. His vision is above-average, he wastes little time getting through the hole to the second level, and he has the speed to make a house call on most plays.
Erik: If Kalif Raymond doesn’t return to Detroit in 2026, Wetjen would be a terrific WR4 and kick/punt returner option to consider. While quicker than fast, Wetjen has the skills to get open early in his routes, but lacks home run skills… on offense. On special teams, he’s arguably the most dynamic kick returner college football has seen in some time, and is the reigning back-to-back Jet Award winner, given to college football’s best returner.
Erik: Heidenreich doesn’t possess the frame of a traditional NFL H-back, but it’s hard to argue with his production at Navy. Simply put, he lined up everywhere, taking snaps in the back field, in-line, in the slot, and split out wide. At the next level, he’ll have a chance to contribute at several positions, but he’ll likely make his living on special teams, similarly to Lions running back Sione Vaki.
Erik: For a more traditional fullback/H-back, Bredeson (brother of Bucs’ guard Ben) fits the bill to a tee and is arguably the best blocker in this draft class. The running storyline during Bredeson’s time in Ann Arbor was, if you want to see which way the running play is designed, just watch No. 44. And while that held true the majority of the time, it often didn’t matter if defenses knew the play because Bredeson was still finding ways to clear rushing lanes. Bredeson’s ability to line up in the backfield and as a tight end makes him a terrific candidate for the anticipated introduction of 13 personnel.
Al: With Mitchell Evans off to the Carolina Panthers, Eli Raridon stepped in as Notre Dame’s starting tight end after averaging 25 snaps per game as the TE2 over the previous two seasons. His presence was felt immediately, opening the year with five catches for 97 yards against Miami, followed by four catches for 85 yards the next week against Texas A&M—two strong performances against eventual College Football Playoff teams.
Raridon was deployed all over the formation for the Fighting Irish: inline (often as a wing), in the slot, split out as an X, and frequently in motion. He threatened defenses up the seam against linebackers and safeties, but also showed value on urgent, short-yardage routes despite his stork-like 6-foot-6 frame. Once the ball was in his hands, he was a consistent yards-after-catch producer.
His large 10 5/8-inch hands show up both at the catch point and when engaging defenders in the run game. His run blocking can be inconsistent, as his 244-pound frame will likely need additional mass at the next level. He was often asked to block on the move, sometimes resorting to shoulder contact in the hole, but also showed the ability to seal the edge from the wing and dig out second-level defenders from the slot.
Al: A three-year starter at Duke with 37 career starts at both tackle spots (primarily right tackle), Parker projects best as an interior offensive lineman at the next level. Originally recruited as a center, he interestingly took reps at the pivot throughout Shrine Bowl practices.
Parker’s shorter arms (32.25 inches) showed up on the edge, where defenders could occasionally corner him or convert speed to power and get into his frame with length. Even so, he was a strong overall pass protector on an island. There’s plenty to like on tape: physical hand strikes, impressive grip strength, typewriter feet in the run game, and quick mobility in space. His awareness to sort out blitzers and stunts would translate well to being the tip of the spear along an NFL offensive line. The Lions will also appreciate the competitive edge he plays with through the whistle.
Erik: As an undersized interior defender, Proctor wasn’t on my radar before this week. But watching him flash in practice highlights (he has a wicked first step and active hands) and conducting some of my own research, I’m intrigued by whether he could fill the Lions’ 4i-technique role on the defensive line.
Al: Shrine Bowl director Eric Galko noted before practices that Lawrence was one of the players NFL scouts, and even assistant GMs and directors, asked about most and believes he has a legitimate chance to bump up into Day 2. If the Lions want to lean further into adding players who can generate quick pressure, Lawrence is someone to consider despite hovering around 250 pounds.
Lawrence aligns primarily in a two-point stance, rushes from both sides of the formation, and can rapidly turn the corner. His quick get-off, fast hands at the strike point, and adequate arm length consistently work in his favor. He’s particularly effective with a chop-rip, has flashed a euro-step, and plays with a motor that shows up on tape. His inside spin move needs refinement, as he currently lacks a reliable counter back inside. He’s active on the backside but would likely benefit from a developmental year as a run defender in Detroit.
Erik: Perkins has been on NFL radars for a few years now, as he is a dynamic athlete who frequently rushed the passer at LSU. While his frame will make it difficult for him to live on the edge in the NFL, he returned to school to improve his off-the-ball skills and illustrate his value. While he’s still developing his off-ball skills, his athleticism is unique enough that coaches will find a role for him at the next level.
Erik: Capable of playing MIKE or SAM, Barton has some Trevor Nowaske vibes to his game, which will surely appeal to the Lions. There’s a lot of balance to his game, and his instincts help him navigate through tricky spots easily, which makes him a player who could out-kick his draft value. Barton looks like a player capable of making contributions as a rookie, with the upside to develop into a starter.
Al: The mature, sixth-year Wisniewski—married for over two years—has extensive experience on tape at both linebacker and safety. He won two national championships and earned All-American honors at North Dakota State before transferring to Texas Tech, where he became a true jack-of-all-trades, middle-of-the-field defender. If the Lions’ defense wants to evolve further into a modern three-safety look, Wisniewski profiles as an ideal jumbo big nickel given his skill set and size.
He’s comfortable living in the box near the line of scrimmage, where he can thump in the run game and quickly diagnose and trigger downhill. That was especially evident in his disruptive performance against BYU in November. His instincts consistently show up, and he’s also a problem for offenses in the screen game. He wasn’t tested as much as a free safety at Texas Tech, but his range and ball skills were on full display during his final healthy season at NDSU in 2023, when he recorded eight interceptions.
Erik: A three-year starter split between NC State and USC, Fitzgerald has 10 interceptions over that time (another six as a JUCO the season prior), making him one of this class’s best ballhawks. With questions surrounding Kerby Joseph’s knee and the potential for the Lions to need a rangy center fielder as a reserve, Fitzgerald should be on Detroit’s radar.
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