6 Players Lions Should Watch in 2021 Senior Bowl
In most offseasons for Detroit Lions fans, the Senior Bowl is a huge event for evaluating NFL prospects.
This year, it’s been a little different.
For the most part, the Lions have had a complete overhaul of their coaching staff and front office. The main storylines have all been focused on the new hires and the potential trade of longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Naturally, the Senior Bowl has taken a back seat to everything going on in Detroit. That’s not to say the All-Star Game and the practice week aren’t vitally important for the upcoming NFL Draft.
In an odd year like this due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it gives a great opportunity to get a look at 130-or-so seniors.
Here are six draft prospects the Lions should be paying close attention to this weekend.
1.) Quarterback Mac Jones, Alabama
Jones may not be in that top tier of this vaunted quarterback class, but his stats while at Alabama rival former quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s gaudy numbers.
However, stats can lie. It’s well known that Tagovailoa went No. 5 overall in last year’s draft, while Jones may be an early day two selection.
If the Lions were to pass on a franchise quarterback in the top of the first round, Jones could be in play for the organization.
During Senior Bowl practices this week, Jones has been widely considered one of the most consistent signal-callers.
In saying this, Jones will not wow anybody with his arm strength.
The big question will be if he was just a product of his environment at Alabama.
The Senior Bowl will give him ample opportunity to show what he can do, with a little more of a level playing field.
His status on gameday may be a bit up in the air due to an ankle injury, however.
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2.) EDGE Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest
From the looks of it, the Lions will likely transition to more of a 4-3 or 4-2-5 base defense under new defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Basham is another player who is trending toward being a late first-rounder or day two selection.
At 6-foot-4, 281 pounds, he is on the bigger side of the defensive end scale. Yet, he can move like someone a lot smaller.
However, he also plays the run like someone much smaller, as well.
As a prototypical 4-3 end, Basham would be a major boost to the Lions' anemic pass rush. Even with his size, he almost exclusively lined up on the outside of the tackle in his last two years at Wake Forest.
3.) Linebacker Jabril Cox, LSU
Cox is more in the mold of today’s NFL linebackers.
Make no mistake, despite having some length, the former North Dakota State transfer would be a horrible fit in the old Lions defense.
Those Matt Patricia "gap-stuffers" are a thing of the past, fortunately.
The 6-foot-3, 233-pounder showed some great pass-coverage ability on film, and his week at the Senior Bowl wasn’t much different.
The true test will come when he is in live game action and trying to stop the run. Given his ability in coverage -- which is a major need for Detroit -- the Lions likely could overlook some of his flaws against the run.
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4.) Safety Richie Grant, UCF
The Lions have a pair of former third-round safeties under contract for the 2021 season in Will Harris and Tracy Walker.
Harris has shown very little promise two years into his career, while Walker has at least shown some flashes.
Yes, there may be other more pressing positions of need, but Grant stood out for most of the week and made himself some money.
In one-on-one coverage drills -- where safeties typically struggle -- Grant held his own. He got his hands on plenty of passes.
Grant is not a big safety. He stands at 6'0, 200 pounds, and plays physical while possessing great anticipation.
His testing numbers will be critical throughout this process.
In looking at new general manager Brad Holmes' draft history with the Los Angeles Rams, it can be said he prioritizes instincts -- and Grant appears to have those.
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5.) Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, Florida
With the Lions' top three wideouts all being impending free agents, Detroit has some real homework to do with this receiver class.
Fortunately, like seemingly every draft class nowadays, the receivers are a strong group.
Toney is small-statured, but explosive and can easily create separation -- something the Lions currently sorely lack.
As more of a slot option, it may limit how high Toney gets drafted.
No matter the case, though, he has the looks of a true playmaker that the Lions could definitely benefit from.
Detroit could target this position in the second round this year.
6.) Wide receiver D'Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
Eskridge, a local product, possesses strengths that are similar to Toney's.
Eskridge hasn't had the same draft hype as Toney, but definitely helped his cause during the first two days of Senior Bowl practice.
He showed some elite quickness that seems like it could translate well to the next level.
When it’s all said and done, Eskridge may also be a day two pick.
The Lions certainly have a need at wide receiver, and there will be plenty of options via the draft.
