5 players Detroit Lions should be watching in the 2023 Senior Bowl

The 2023 Senior Bowl game will be played on Saturday, and these five players should particularly be on the Detroit Lions’ radar.

The Detroit Lions coaching staff coached one of the teams at the 2022 Senior Bowl, which was surely a beneficial experience for all involved. A change in coaching format at the event this year sent only defensive assistant Shaun Dion Hamilton to coach the defensive backs on the one of the teams.

The week of practice sessions down in Mobile is over, with the Senior Bowl game to be played on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET, on NFL Network). The Lions notably got some extra time with a late-round quarterback prospect early in the week, but every team was slated to meet with all 125 prospects at the event. So even without every coach being on-site and up close with one of the teams, the Lions got some important early pre-draft intel this week.

But the week is of course not quite over, with you know, an actual game that will be played. For some positions in particular, only so much can be taken from three days of practice with teammates you’ve never practiced with before. A game will be a little more telling.

The Lions should be paying attention to these five players during the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

5 players the Detroit Lions should be watching during the 2023 Senior Bowl

5. North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch

Mauch was a left tackle at NDSU, but he worked at guard and center during the practice week too as he seems destined for interior line at the next level.

The Lions may, or even should, be looking for offensive line depth and guard options in the draft. Mauch’s pure physical and athletic traits aren’t regarded as outstanding, but his motor makes him someone Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley would love to have. During Saturday’s game, Mauch may play multiple spots to further show his versatility potential at the next level.