SPORTS

Ten players for Lions to watch in the Senior Bowl

Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan: Lewis is undersized and there’s no escaping that fact, but if he can pack on some pounds without losing his quickness, his playmaking skills as an inside corner would be valuable to the Lions. Quandre Diggs gave up 34 receptions on 38 targets in 2016.
Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan: Lewis is undersized and there’s no escaping that fact, but if he can pack on some pounds without losing his quickness, his playmaking skills as an inside corner would be valuable to the Lions. Quandre Diggs gave up 34 receptions on 38 targets in 2016.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo: The Lions aren’t desperate for an upgrade at running back, but Hunt could be enticing in the middle rounds. A workhorse at Toledo, the 5-foot-11, 225-pounder has size, a well-rounded skill set, big-play potential and protects the ball well (one fumble in four seasons).
Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo: The Lions aren’t desperate for an upgrade at running back, but Hunt could be enticing in the middle rounds. A workhorse at Toledo, the 5-foot-11, 225-pounder has size, a well-rounded skill set, big-play potential and protects the ball well (one fumble in four seasons).
David Richard, Associated Press
Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State: The Lions lack defensive playmakers, particularly with their front seven. Willis likes to set up shop in the backfield, recording 31 tackles for loss and 20 sacks the past two seasons. He rushed primarily off the right side at Kansas State, which may limit his versatility.
Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State: The Lions lack defensive playmakers, particularly with their front seven. Willis likes to set up shop in the backfield, recording 31 tackles for loss and 20 sacks the past two seasons. He rushed primarily off the right side at Kansas State, which may limit his versatility.
Eric Christian Smith, Associated Press
Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson: Detroit also lacks much of an interior pass rush. Watkins, a likely Day 2 pick, could help in that area. The 305-pounder led Clemson with 10.5 sacks this season. There’s still a lot of potential to be tapped here, with refined technique. That’s a specialty of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.
Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson: Detroit also lacks much of an interior pass rush. Watkins, a likely Day 2 pick, could help in that area. The 305-pounder led Clemson with 10.5 sacks this season. There’s still a lot of potential to be tapped here, with refined technique. That’s a specialty of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.
Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press
Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy: This isn’t viewed as a great offensive tackle class, but the Lions will be in the market for one if free agent Riley Reiff leaves. The 6-7 Garcia might be the best option at the Senior Bowl and he’s the No. 1 prospect overall, according to RotoWorld.
Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy: This isn’t viewed as a great offensive tackle class, but the Lions will be in the market for one if free agent Riley Reiff leaves. The 6-7 Garcia might be the best option at the Senior Bowl and he’s the No. 1 prospect overall, according to RotoWorld.
Troy Athletics
Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida: Mocked to the Lions by ESPN’s Todd McShay, Davis is a versatile, athletic linebacker with a reputation for moving well in space and tackling with efficiency. He’s a high character athlete who can also be a factor on special teams. Davis has opted not to play in the Senior Bowl game.
Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida: Mocked to the Lions by ESPN’s Todd McShay, Davis is a versatile, athletic linebacker with a reputation for moving well in space and tackling with efficiency. He’s a high character athlete who can also be a factor on special teams. Davis has opted not to play in the Senior Bowl game.
Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa: He is noted for his quick first step, important in an attacking front. He’s on the short side at 6-2, but that’s becoming less of a concern with the emergence of playmaking interior linemen like Geno Atkins and Aaron Donald. As a senior, Johnson recorded 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa: He is noted for his quick first step, important in an attacking front. He’s on the short side at 6-2, but that’s becoming less of a concern with the emergence of playmaking interior linemen like Geno Atkins and Aaron Donald. As a senior, Johnson recorded 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
Chris O'Meara, Associated Press
Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington: A wildly productive college receiver, Kupp set subdivision career records for receptions (428), receiving yards (6,464) and touchdowns (73). He has the size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and quickness that should play at the professional level. More importantly to the Lions, he has excellent hands.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington: A wildly productive college receiver, Kupp set subdivision career records for receptions (428), receiving yards (6,464) and touchdowns (73). He has the size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and quickness that should play at the professional level. More importantly to the Lions, he has excellent hands.
Steve Dykes, Getty Images
Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky: A left tackle on one of the nation’s more exciting offenses, Lamp projects as an NFL guard and some analysts argue he could be the class’ best interior option. He’s likely a Day 2 selection and with Larry Warford heading to free agency, Lamp could be a plug-and-play replacement.
Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky: A left tackle on one of the nation’s more exciting offenses, Lamp projects as an NFL guard and some analysts argue he could be the class’ best interior option. He’s likely a Day 2 selection and with Larry Warford heading to free agency, Lamp could be a plug-and-play replacement.
Hans Pennink, Associated Press
Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State: When you play at a lower level of competition, there’s always a level of projection, but Rivers was highly productive, setting the Penguins’ school record with 37.5 sacks, including 14 as a senior. He has an NFL build and this week will be a big opportunity to show he can hang with top talent.
Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State: When you play at a lower level of competition, there’s always a level of projection, but Rivers was highly productive, setting the Penguins’ school record with 37.5 sacks, including 14 as a senior. He has an NFL build and this week will be a big opportunity to show he can hang with top talent.
Tony Gutierrez, AP