Deeper look: 3 Senior Bowl prospects to help the Detroit Lions offense
Devin Duvernay, WR
Lastly, for this week, the other position that is a likely draft need that we will see during the Reese’s Senior Bowl is wide receiver Devin Duvernay, who we mentioned last week as a name to know. As mentioned Quinn and the Lions could decide to move on from Marvin Jones and would need an agility WR who could play both slot and outside roles. Even if they don’t move on from Jones, Amendola may not be coming back and Jones is a free agent after 2020.
Duvernay, a Texas Longhorn, has a sprinter build standing 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, expected to run a 4.43-second forty-yard dash. The Longhorns speedster is expected to be selected near pick 129, according to Drafttek. The Detroit Lions have pick numbers 99 and 131, in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively.
Duvernay has been used from almost every spot playing out wide, in the slot, and even as a running back in certain packages. The guy just has a knack for big plays and is an ultra-smooth athlete who runs with power after the catch. He reminds us of Deebo Samuel the multi-purpose rookie with the San Francisco 49ers.
Duvernay locates the football with ease but has found it easy to separate from college players due to his NFL speed. He has not usually dealt with tight coverage at Texas but looks like he can cut well enough to separate from slot corners and outside cornerbacks, alike. He makes all kinds of catches, including contested passes, and shows excellent body control when the ball is in the air.
Duvernay has been asked to run a lot of vertical routes out of the slot and has excelled as a deep threat. He also runs short crossing routes and slants often. When you watch him play he has the swagger of a winner and it will suffice to say that he is a favorite under-the-radar prospect of Kick In the Crotch Weekly.
Devin Duvernay can contribute as a receiver from multiple positions, as a runner, and as a return man. That kind of versatility adds to his value and that brings value for the Detroit Lions brain trust. Some websites have him as a mover, meaning he is moving up draft boards according to experts.
Next. The Lions best draft picks by round since 2009. dark
It wouldn’t shock us if he moved up and did not last until the fourth round. Duvernay’s explosive play potential will make him a great addition for whoever selects him in April, as high as possibly Day Two. Next week we’ll do a deep dive into defensive options at the Senior Bowl.