The Senior Bowl is the premier college football all-star game, and this year, they feature a diverse group of prospects, several of whom should intrigue the Detroit Lions. This year’s game is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, at 2:30 p.m. ET, and can be watched on NFL Network.
Let’s take a look at the prospects that best fit what the Lions will most likely be looking for at positions of need.
Note: If you want to see the 12 prospects we identified for the East-West Shrine game, you can check out that list here.
Erik: With the David Montgomery situation unsettled, the Lions could be in the market for a Day 3 power back who is capable of contributing as a rookie. Of the five running backs at the Senior Bowl who clear 215 pounds, Washington’s combination of speed, power, vision, and hands makes him the most intriguing. He’s a downhill runner who makes his decisions quickly and is a menace to bring down in the open field, registering 17 runs of 15+ yards in 2025.
Erik: The Lions will likely be in the market for a TE-“Y” who excels as a blocker, and Roush may be the most ideal fit in this draft class. His combination of physical frame, reputation of punishing defenders in the run game, and reliable hands should help him transition into a Lions offensive scheme that is expected to incorporate more three tight end sets. In Detroit, he would be an ideal complement to Sam LaPorta and has enough upside to challenge Brock Wright for a TE2 role as a rookie.
Al: The Nigerian native didn’t begin playing football until the summer of 2021 at the JUCO level, but the athletic, massive lineman has already found himself in Mobile holding his own against the American Team’s loaded defensive end group. He remains inconsistent, but flashes impressive feet in pass protection and real power in the run game, helping pave the way for Cam Skattebo in 2024. The ceiling is sky high for this developmental prospect, who likely won’t make it out of Day 2.
Erik: With a mullet that mirrors Tate Ratledge’s college look, the midwest humor of Graham Glasgow, and the coffee habits of Dan Campbell, it’s no surprise that I have been inundated by Lions fans sending me clips of Dunker on social media. Personality aside, Dunker is also a very solid football player who should garner the Lions’ attention. A powerful run blocker, Dunker has RT skills when moving forward, and has shown the ability to anchor in pass protection. However, his foot speed could give him problems with NFL speed rushers, which is why some evaluators have suggested a move inside to guard could be in his best interest. He performed very well at the Senior Bowl this week, but he’ll need to put up good numbers at the Combine if he wants to shake the “movement issues” label.
Al: The former quarterback—and former teammate of Sam Hecht at Kansas State—transitioned from right to left tackle after transferring to Washington this past season. Despite weighing in around 300 pounds, Willis is an aggressive mover in the run game, firing out of his stance with rapid hands into defenders. The Huskies frequently ran behind him, particularly against Oregon, where he put together strong tape tossing around Matayo Uiagalelei around. Reports from Senior Bowl practices also noted Willis showcasing clean, crisp movement skills in pass protection.
Al: “Big Red” is a tough, thickly built, well-anchored lineman who overcame a severe car accident in December 2023 that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right foot. Rutledge went on to start the final 26 games of his career for the Yellow Jackets. He plays with the mindset of a menacing mauler and finisher, a style that aligns well with the Lions’ identity and Drew Petzing’s power run game. While guard—particularly right guard—is a lesser priority along Detroit’s offensive line, Rutledge also took reps at center during Shrine Bowl practices, adding to his positional versatility.
Erik: There’s some “dirtbag” to his game.
Al: The two-year starting center for the Wildcats has impressed onlookers throughout Shrine Bowl practices, with noted offensive line trainer Duke Manyweather labeling him “OC-1,” and PFF’s Trevor Sikkema pointing out that he was the only lineman to consistently hold his own against Texas Tech’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark rolling boulder” Lee Hunter. Hecht’s game is fluid and fundamentally sound in nearly every aspect, allowing him to overcome less-than-ideal arm length and smaller hands. His body works in unison with ironclad grip strength, excellent core strength, and balance, enabling him to mirror defenders, latch on, and prevent disengagement. Hecht has the profile of a consistent, agile starter for the Lions as early as his second season.
Al: The burly Parker went from a disappointing 2025 season—reflective of much of Clemson’s roster—to becoming the talk of the town in Mobile. Parker’s lethal weapon of a long-arm move flooded social media feeds, and he reportedly used his physicality to consistently put opposing offensive linemen on their heels. Parker profiles as a stout, every-down edge defender. He said on NFL Network this week, “You can’t rush the passer unless you can stop the run,” a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the Lions’ defensive identity. He uses his strength and hands well, attacking pass blockers and saving his best for big games, terrorizing LaNorris Sellers and in-state rival South Carolina in the regular-season finale. The biggest question mark is his increased use of a two-point stance and an unimpressive get-off from it.
Erik: Jacas is quickly becoming one of my favorite prospects in this draft class, and his stock appears to be rising very quickly. When Lions fans have asked me to identify an edge rusher who might be there in the second round for Detroit, Jacas has been my standard response. However, I’m starting to contemplate if he’ll last that long.
Capable of lining up as a standing pass rusher, with his hand in the dirt at the 7-technique, and even at the 4i (as seen above), Jacas has the positional range the Lions prefer opposite Aidan Hutchinson. While mainly a speed-to-power rusher, Jacas also possesses inside counter moves to keep offensive linemen honest. His motor is elite, he is stout at setting the edge, and doesn’t waste movement/energy. Essentially, Jacas has the skills the Lions sought out in Marcus Davenport, without the injuries.
Al: Built from a similar mold of Parker, Young is a power-based defender who bulldozes his way through offensive linemen into the backfield. He immediately stands out on tape with the way he pops pads and uses heavy hands to defend the run. He’s not the most nimble athlete, but he can reliably crush the pocket for the Lions’ pass defense and even flashes a fun four-point stance. Young began heating up as a pass rusher late in the season, relentlessly finding his way into the backfield against Oklahoma and quarterback John Mateer.
Erik: Like most Michigan defensive ends, Moore’s game is based on power, and he’s most well-known for setting a strong edge and earning his stats by outworking the offensive players across from him. He’s not as naturally gifted as some of the other pass rushers in the draft class, but he has a relentless motor and understands how to use his natural physical traits (like arm length: 34.25 inches) to his advantage. While a bit undersized for what the Lions typically prefer on the edge, his overall skill set checks the majority of the boxes for Detroit.
Erik: A complete package at WILL linebacker, Rodriguez should be on the short list of possible replacements for the Lions should Alex Anzalone depart in free agency. While the main criticism of Rodriguez’s game is his speed, his elite instincts and terrific football IQ consistently put him in the right spots when defending the run and in the passing game. Add in his propensity for generating turnovers (15 in the past two seasons), and Rodriguez is sure to draw the attention of Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
To connect those dots a step further. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire traveled to Detroit during the Lions’ 2025 OTAs to meet with coach Dan Campbell. While there, McGuire saw Sheppard’s “punch-out” drill and loved it so much that he brought it back to his program and installed it at their camp. Rodriguez picked up the drill immediately and utilized the “punch-out” move to force seven (!) fumbles in 2025.
Erik: While not ideally sized for a starting linebacker role in the NFL, there is most certainly a spot for him on NFL rosters with his elite coverage skills. Most NFL teams are specializing their linebacker roles in today’s modern defenses, and every one of them will covet a defender who can hang with tight ends and running backs in space. Often called a “Cover-Will,” “Big nickel,” or “Hybrid nickel,” a player with Louis’ skill set (he is also solid slipping blocks and defending the run) could help the Lions in a multitude of ways.
Erik: This safety class features a lot of prospects who have a keen sense for the football, and Clark should be mentioned near the top of that group. Over his career at TCU, he has 15 career interceptions (including four in 2025 and at least two during Senior Bowl practices), while allowing only 11 receiving touchdowns. With nearly four years of starting experience, Clark split his time equally playing a traditional split-safety role (deep/in the box) and as a slot cover option.
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