7 Tight Ends for Lions to Watch at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

The Detroit Lions parted ways with a former top-10 pick at the tight end position during the 2022 season’s trade deadline.

In trading T.J. Hockenson, the Lions lost a valuable piece of the passing game. Yet, a trio of his backups rose to the occasion, and provided the offense with a spark over the season’s final half.

Moving forward, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes and company need to decide whether to commit to the trio of Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell or look elsewhere for help.

There are many tight ends to choose from in the 2023 NFL Draft, with the best of the group set to take center stage during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., starting on Feb. 28.

Here are seven tight end prospects for the Lions to watch during the combine.

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Considered to be among the draft’s best prospects, Mayer is an athletic, pass-catching tight end who will be an asset to whichever team selects him. He’s posted back-to-back seasons of 800-plus receiving yards, including during a 2022 campaign that saw the Fighting Irish struggle at the quarterback position.

He moves very well for his 6-foot-4 frame, and has all the necessary skills to be an impact player. If the Lions decide to seek out a true replacement for Hockenson, this is their most likely answer.

Luke Musgrave, Oregon State

Injuries marred Musgrave’s final season with the Beavers, as he played in just two games before missing the remainder of the year. In that two-game stretch, though, he caught a total of 11 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.

The Senior Bowl offered him his first chance to get back on the field in front of scouts, with the combine now giving him a chance to show off his athleticism in a more individualized setting.

Even with the injury, he’s valued among the best at his position. A strong combine would only help his case to be considered with Mayer as a top-tier tight end prospect in the 2023 draft class.

Darnell Washington, Georgia

Washington was part of a loaded tight ends room at Georgia, with 2024 top prospect Brock Bowers leading the way. However, Washington beat out former top recruit Arik Gilbert to become a top option in the Bulldogs’ offense.

Washington's numbers aren’t awe-inspiring, but his physical and athletic traits are. He set the bar high with his hurdle of an Oregon defender in the season-opener, and delivered several exciting highlights throughout the 2022 campaign.

Another intriguing aspect of his game is his performance as a run blocker. Pro Football Focus assigned him an 81.3 run-blocking grade, which ranked sixth among all college tight ends.

Based on pure athleticism, Washington is near the top of his class. However, he’ll need to prove that the technical aspects of his game, such as route running and blocking, are solid before he can truly establish himself among the group’s best prospects.

Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State

Kraft is an intriguing small-school prospect. His numbers weren’t outstanding. He finished with just 27 catches for 348 yards and three scores, while battling an ankle injury in his final collegiate season.

The combine offers him an opportunity to showcase his abilities in front of a large audience of scouts. Scouts will be intrigued with his physical intangibles, and he still could prove that he’s one of the more polished options at his position.

Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan

Tight ends are often big parts of the passing game at Michigan, and Schoonmaker was no different in 2022. After beginning his career as a contributor mostly in the run game, he had a career year in his final season with the Wolverines.

He finished last season with 35 catches for 418 yards, nearly doubling his previous career totals in both categories. He was already highly thought of for his abilities as a run blocker, but this added element of pass-catching boosted his stock.

Josh Whyle, Cincinnati

Whyle had NFL interest after the 2021 campaign, in which the Bearcats reached the College Football Playoff. But, he elected to return for another season. A year later, he’s still considered among the better tight ends in the draft.

He’s an imposing figure at 6-foot-6, with the physical skills necessary to excel as both a receiver and blocker. He needs improvement in both areas, but could be a solid developmental piece.

Whyle profiles as a solid red-zone threat who could be an asset as a blocker. He should get plenty of opportunities in Indianapolis to show off the athleticism that made him so intimidating near the goal line in college.

Payne Durham, Purdue

Durham was one of the better performers at the Senior Bowl, making highlight-reel catches and winning multiple one-on-one reps. A diving catch made in the team portion of practices was one of the week’s best highlights.

The Purdue product needs fine-tuning, but there’s plenty to like about what he’s put on tape. He comes from an "Air-Raid" style scheme, so there are questions -- and rightfully so -- about his blocking expertise. Those could go away with a solid showing in the strength portion of the combine.