Adding a defensive tackle could be a bigger need than expected. But we all know the Lions don’t draft just off needs. They want good football players. Derrick Harmon appears to be just that. He looked fluid at the Scouting Combine and has some very consistent tape.
Starting with the tape, Harmon is a versatile defender that can play anywhere along a defensive front. That is highly valued with how Detroit has built their defense. No matter where Harmon is aligned, he displays plenty of power but his size and length further helps him from being blocked consistently.
He’ll need to work on his pad level as he tends to pop-up out of his stance and that makes it much easier to block him. Hand speed and timing will need some refinement as there are times that he just tries to run through blockers but if Harmon were to land in a place like Detroit, he could contribute right away. At 6′ 4″ and 313 pounds I’d expect him to play as a 5-technique to a 3-technique for the Lions.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Anything can happen but it sure feels as if Donovan Ezeiruaku will be a first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. At the Scouting Combine, he checked into the Combine at 6′ 2″ and 248 pounds with 34″ arms and 9 1/4″ hands. His 3-cone drill time of 6.94 seconds and his short shuttle time of 4.19 seconds were all impressive. In fact, he had the fastest 3-cone drill time of any defensive end that tested at the Combine.
During his on-the-field workouts, Ezeiruaku displayed good fluidity and bend. That matches exactly what he displays on tape. Furthermore on tape, he slips under blocks and is able to turn the corner with ease. He’ll need to get stronger, especially against the run because there are times that he gets moved or washed out of plays but he provides day one help as a pass rusher.
Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Mentioned often on the Detroit Lions Podcast with Scott Bischoff and I, we have discussed the possibility of the Lions adding an offensive lineman in the draft. Whether that be with the first pick or the last pick, getting depth up front should be on the priority list for Detroit. One player that would make sense in the first round is Grey Zabel from North Dakota State.
Checking into the Combine at 6′ 6″ and 312 pounds with 32″ arms, there’s belief that Zabel will move to guard or center in the NFL. He’s shown that he can play offensive tackle but I would agree that a move to the interior is likely for him. When watching him on tape, Zabel moves well laterally when reach blocking and he’s able to seal off linebackers at the second level.
His power in the run game should help him see the field early in his career but his and placement in pass protection will need some work. His hands tend to hit wide but if he were to come to Detroit, that would give him a chance to develop. Whether he was inserted at left or right guard, this would give the Lions another option for the future.
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Somewhat of a shocking development from the Scouting Combine is how well Landon Jackson tested. He checked into the event at 6′ 6″ and 264 pounds with 33 1/2″ arms. Additionally, he posted the best vertical jump at 40.5″ and the second best broad jump at 10′ 9″ for all defensive ends that tested. His 40-yard dash time of 4.68 seconds was right in the middle of the pack but either way, it feels as if Jackson has done enough to at least be in the first round conversation.
On film, Jackson uses his long arms to his advantage consistently. He’ll show that he can long-arm the opposition but he also uses that length to create separation while being able to counter inside and outside. Additionally, he is able to dip and rip under blockers but he lacks consistency when doing so. His lack of explosiveness and high pad level can become problematic at times but his length and athletic ability is intriguing.
Teams will want him to get stronger with his lower half, especially for stopping the run. However, there’s room for that within his frame. If he were to land with a team such as the Lions, he could pair nicely with Za’Darius Smith and Josh Paschal for a role opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. That would also give him time to develop and redefine his overall skill-set.
Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Drafting a cornerback is unlikely for the Detroit Lions with how they selected two of them in last year’s draft. However, if the team isn’t able to retain cornerback Carlton Davis and if they’re not pleased with the development of cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, the Lions could be enticed to take one. Even if that means drafting one in the first round.
If they were to draft a corner in the first round, they could be inclined with what they’ve seen from Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter. Especially after the Scouting Combine. Porter checked in at 6′ 3″ and 195 pounds with 33 1/8″ arms. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.30 seconds and he had the best 10-yard split (1.49 seconds) and 3-cone drill (6.71 seconds). His time in the 40-yard dash was second best of any cornerback that competed.
