The Detroit Lions will coach at the Reese’s Senior Bowl later this month. Here’s an early look at some team needs and some prospects to watch.
The Detroit Lions vice president-general manager, Bob Quinn, and head coach Matt Patricia’s coaching staff, which is currently in flux, will be coaching one of the two teams at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, January 25th.
That gives them better access to the prospects who will be playing in the game and therefore a head start on evaluating those prospects. This week we’ll look at the needs of the roster and a Senior Bowl name to know for each need.
Next week we will dig deeper and profile some target players in more depth to get you ready for the game! Also, we will include quarterbacks that might fit as backups, too.
Detroit Lions needs
It doesn’t take long if you go on any Detroit Lions social media site to know that Lions fans seem to want one of three players to date: Chase Young, Derrick Brown, or Jeffrey Okudah and none of them are seniors; they are a defensive end, a defensive tackle, and a cornerback, respectively, though. All of those positions must be included in a quality assessment of the Lions needs.
So, outside of what the Lions may do in Round One, what other positions might be targeted?
Linebackers
The Detroit Lions linebacker corps has been terribly vulnerable versus the pass and outside of Devon Kennard and rookie Jahlani Tavai, the Lions are in need of answers. Former first-round pick Jarrad Davis was the worst graded linebacker in football for much of the 2019 season. Despite what he offers off of the edge as a pass-rusher, his place on the roster is not secure.
Christian Jones has been re-signed but is more of a situational player or backup. Overall, it is in need of an influx of talent, coverage ability, and versatility, to say nothing of availability; Jones, Davis, and Tavai have all missed time or been on the injured list.
Name to know
You can view a complete list of prospects who’ve said agreed to play in the Senior Bowl here. Other information gathered from Draft Scout’s rankings website, here.
Terrell Lewis, OLB/ edge, Alabama, 6-4, 252, 4.78
The Alabama edge-LB is a possibility if the Lions choose a lineman, cornerback or another non-edge player in Round One. Lewis sat out the Crimson Tide’s bowl victory over Michigan but is ranked as a second-round pick by Drafttek, see their rankings here.