The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine invades Indianapolis this coming week. Over 300 prospects aspiring to impress the 32 NFL teams will work out, interview and go through exhaustive medical testing throughout the week.
It’s a big week for the Detroit Lions, like all teams. Most, if not all, of their 2025 draft class will be taking the stage in Indy, and quite a few of their undrafted free agents, too. As I get ready for my 13th combine week, here are some of the players I’ll be keeping a close eye on during workouts and podium interviews as potential Detroit Lions draft targets.
Not all are first-rounders; a couple listed here might not even get drafted. Brad Holmes and this Lions regime focus on football character, intelligence and coachability, as well as athletic accomplishment and potential. These players all appear to fit that mold, though the coming week will help discern just how well they might fit.
Players are listed in alphabetical order
Dec 30, 2023; Tucson, AZ, USA; Toledo Rockets defensive tackle Darius Alexander (9) against the Wyoming Cowboys in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
One of the Senior Bowl stars, Alexander can keep the momentum rolling forward with a strong combine performance. His gap-attacking style and finishing ability appear to be a very nice fit with what the Lions are looking for on the defensive line.
Nov 16, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (13) catches a pass in warmup before the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
A classic Z-receiver with size and physicality, Ayomanor plays with the same passionate style as Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown. The combine workouts will help determine just how limited he was by Stanford’s offensive struggles versus his own straight-line athleticism. If he’s on the board for Detroit’s second pick, it might be more surprising if the Lions don’t take him than if they do.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) runs through Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch (1) during the first half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025.
Burch often gets overshadowed by linemate Derrick Harmon, who is also a player of definite interest for Detroit. It’s very easy to project the 6-foot-6, 295-pound Burch in free agent Levi Onwuzurike’s role as a mobile piece along the Lions line as a heavy base end who can reduce inside in pass-rush packages.
Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter (7) tackles Alabama tight end CJ Dippre (81) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. Tenn.
Dippre proved to be an athletic pass-catching option at Maryland before emerging as more of a blocking specialist at Alabama. It’s that combination of skills and what looks like some intriguing athletic upside that should appeal to the Lions on Day 3.
Oct 5, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery (69) celebrates quarterback Max Brosmer’s (16) touchdown against the USC Trojans during the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
A big, physical left tackle for the Golden Gophers, Ersery is a true people-mover in the run game. He might be a better right tackle in the NFL. Current draft projections have Ersery anywhere between pick 20 and pick 60, which happens to be Detroit’s second-round slot.
Nov 30, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) reacts after a sack against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The Lions projection in The Athletic’s recent beat writer mock draft, Ezeiruaku put up prolific sack numbers in college. He’s smaller (6-2/247) than the Lions have favored at EDGE, which means his athletic testing is critically important for Ezeiruaku. His dynamic athleticism showed on the field.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 28: Riley Leonard #13 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Ashton Gillotte #9 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Cardinal Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Sep 7, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd defensive lineman Mike Green (15) sacks Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Green has risen from being viewed as a marginal first-round candidate to a player now getting some projections well inside the top 20. The interview process will be key for Green, who still faces some scrutiny over his departure from Virginia — which led him to wind up the big fish in a smaller pond at Marshall.
Jan 29, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team wide receiver Jayden Higgins of Iowa State (9) grabs a pass during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
The Lions figure to be in the market for a receiver with some size even if veteran Tim Patrick returns in free agency. Higgins offers size, strength and outstanding hands, though his speed is not a real strength. Pay attention to his 10-yard split and short shuttle (if he runs it); they figure to impact in which round of Day 2 Higgins gets drafted.
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) celebrates a touchdown by running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
Jackson was the first-round projection to the Lions in the latest mock draft, and he certainly fits what Detroit wants with his length, football IQ and mobility. In his late-season fill-in at left tackle, Jackson proved that he’s a worthy first-round talent at both guard and tackle. His athletic testing will have a big say in where teams like the Lions view him playing at the next level.
Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team linebacker Jack Kiser of Notre Dame (20) works through drills during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Kiser was an outstanding all-around off-ball backer for the Fighting Irish, a very natural football culture fit for the Lions at a spot where they could use some long-term depth. His athletic testing will determine how much of his instincts and innate coverage ability can translate to the next level.
Nov 8, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) is brought down by UCLA Bruins linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo (2) for a loss of yardage in the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
For a player coming from a major program, “Femi” Oladejo is a major project as a pass rusher. That’s because he was an oversized off-ball LB until 2024. Given this Lions regime’s nature for taking middle-round chances on positional converts (Barnes, Melifonwu, Vaki, Houston), Oladejo is definitely someone to watch in the on-field drills and athletic testing. The Lions spent time with him during Senior Bowl week, something that made him smile broadly when I asked about it in Mobile.
Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Kaden Prather (1) catchers a pass as Southern California Trojans cornerback Jaylin Smith (2) defends during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Prather was the bigger half of Maryland’s talented WR tandem, along with speedy Tai Felton. His 6-foot-3 frame and ability to make catches away from his body hold some appeal for a team like the Lions who should be in the market for a possession-type receiver in the middle rounds. Testing could bubble Prather up.
Oct 19, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive lineman Caleb Rogers (76) prepares to block against the Baylor Bears in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Rogers played a ton of quality football for the Red Raiders, starting 55 straight games across every OL spot except center. During Senior Bowl week, where Rogers primarily played guard and looked good doing so, he met with the Lions and raised his profile as a guard prospect more than at tackle.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) recovers the ball after it was fumbled by Purdue Boilermakers in the second half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
The most popular first-round projection in contemporary mock drafts for Detroit, Sawyer seems straight out of central casting for the Lions defense. How well he clicks with the coaching staff in interviews will be as important as his athletic testing, which figures to be average relative to the EDGE group in Indy.
Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (4) runs after a catch for a first down during the first quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
TeSlaa brings size, long speed and toughness to the intermediate and deeper range as a receiver. A transfer from D-II Hillsdale, the West Michigan native should test very well and raise his profile, enough to be a possible prospect for one of Detroit’s final picks.
(it’s pronounced teh-SLAAH, not like the Croatian inventor or rock band)
Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen of Ole Miss (3) works through drills during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Umanmielen showed some ability to get to the quarterback with both speed and power at both Florida and Ole Miss. A likely Day 2 prospect, Umanmielen will need to alleviate concerns about his stiffness and balance that reared up during an uneven Senior Bowl week. Agility testing and the on-field positional drills will tell a lot about his draft appeal for Detroit.
Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team offensive lineman Carson Vinson of Alabama A&M (76) spars with American team defensive lineman Kyle Kennard of South Carolina (9) during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Vinson is the only HBCU player at the combine, and he proved during Senior Bowl week that he belongs. A tackle in college, Vinson might project better at guard. His workouts will help clear up how the Lions see the talented small-school mauler. Detroit spent considerable time talking to Vinson in Mobile.
AUBURN, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 07: Defensive back Nohl Williams #3 of the California Golden Bears intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Cam Coleman #8 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
A ballhawking press corner with good size and an aggressive nature, Williams’ game film at Cal has Lions written all over him. The combine will help sort out his athletic upside, which is the difference between Williams being a Day 2 or Day 3 pick.
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Injured Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr (2) against the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Winston fits in the Brad Holmes theme of finding draft value in injured players. A potential top-40 prospect entering the season, Winston tore up his knee and missed 2024. The combine workouts and medical testing will determine if he comes anywhere close to that range. An early safety doesn’t appear to be a need for Detroit, but Holmes chuckles at your preconceived ideas about his Lions.
