NFL Scouting Combine 2025: Prospective Lions who performed better in the testing exercises

The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most important events on the annual NFL Draft calendar. For college football players hoping to transition to the professional level, it serves as a stage to showcase their athleticism, skills, and potential in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers. For the Detroit Lions, the Combine provides a unique opportunity to assess potential prospects that could fit their team needs. The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine promises to be particularly exciting for the Lions as they look to further solidify their roster after a promising 2024 season.

In this article, we will highlight some of the key athletes in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine whose performances have particularly stood out, specifically those who could potentially be the right fit for the Lions. We’ll also break down why certain metrics—such as speed, strength, agility, and positional drills—are critical for Detroit’s needs, as well as which players showcased superior skills during the Combine.

Introduction to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine has evolved into a highly anticipated event for college football players as it allows them to showcase their physical attributes and football IQ in an official capacity. Coaches, general managers, and team decision-makers observe how athletes perform in a variety of tests, drills, and on-field exercises. While the interviews, psychological evaluations, and on-field drills like 40-yard dashes, vertical jumps, broad jumps, and shuttle drills are important, the Combine serves as one piece of the puzzle in determining how ready a player is for the NFL.

The Lions, under head coach Dan Campbell, have been in a rebuilding phase, but the team’s 2024 performance showed significant promise. They made a major push for a playoff spot, and they now need to continue bolstering their roster to achieve sustained success. Detroit’s success in 2024 was largely due to their offense, but the defense is still an area in need of improvement. This is where the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine could prove to be pivotal. The Lions have several key positional needs, including secondary help, edge rusher, and wide receiver depth. Let’s dive into the prospects who performed exceptionally well in their respective tests during the Combine and could potentially be the right fit for Detroit.

Key Combine Metrics and How They Relate to the Lions’ Needs

Before we look at specific prospects, it’s important to understand the key metrics that the Lions will likely prioritize when evaluating players at the Combine:

1. 40-Yard Dash: This is one of the most iconic tests at the Combine, giving scouts an indication of a player’s straight-line speed. For the Lions, who have a young and talented secondary and are looking to revamp their pass rush, players with explosive speed could be crucial additions.
2. Vertical Jump: A higher vertical jump showcases a player’s explosiveness and ability to leap, making this a key metric for wide receivers, defensive backs, and linebackers. The Lions will want explosive athletes in the secondary who can make plays on the ball.
3. Broad Jump: Similar to the vertical jump, this test evaluates lower-body strength and explosiveness. It can be important for edge rushers, linebackers, and running backs. For Detroit, adding players who can create disruption at the line of scrimmage will be a major goal.
4. 3-Cone Drill and Shuttle Drill: These tests evaluate a player’s agility and ability to change direction quickly. Detroit’s defense, which is still growing, needs players who can track the ball and cover a lot of ground quickly, particularly in their cornerbacks and linebackers.
5. Bench Press: This exercise measures upper-body strength, which is vital for offensive and defensive linemen. The Lions are looking for toughness in the trenches, particularly to bolster their offensive line and defensive line depth.

Now, let’s move on to the standout prospects who excelled in these tests and may fit the Lions’ needs.

1. Edge Rusher: Nolan Smith, Georgia

One of the biggest needs for the Lions is a dynamic pass rusher to complement their defensive line. In 2024, the Lions struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which impacted their ability to stop high-powered offenses. A player like Nolan Smith, the standout edge rusher from Georgia, could help address this issue.

Smith, at the 2025 Combine, posted remarkable numbers. His 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds was one of the fastest for an edge rusher in recent memory. His 10-yard split (1.55 seconds) was equally impressive, which shows that he’s not just fast but also quick off the line of scrimmage. These numbers highlight his explosiveness and ability to get around the corner quickly.

Additionally, Smith posted a 40-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 11 feet. These numbers reflect his incredible lower-body explosiveness and his ability to leap to contest passes or bat down throws. Detroit’s defense needs more players like Smith who can be a constant threat in the backfield, applying pressure to quarterbacks while also maintaining the athleticism to cover ground in the open field.

2. Cornerback: Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

The Lions have a promising young secondary, but they still need to solidify the cornerback position with a true No. 1 talent. Joey Porter Jr. from Penn State is one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2025 draft and had an impressive showing at the Combine.

Porter posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.43 seconds, which is solid for a cornerback of his size (6’2″, 200 pounds). What stood out most was his ability to move fluidly in the 3-cone drill, posting a 6.72-second time, which is excellent for a player of his height. Porter’s agility and quickness allow him to mirror wide receivers, and his long arms make him an excellent option for press coverage.

At the Combine, Porter’s athleticism and football IQ were evident in positional drills, and his physical attributes suggest that he could thrive in Dan Campbell’s defensive scheme. A player like Porter would help strengthen Detroit’s secondary and could allow the Lions to focus on other areas with their early picks.

3. Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

While the Lions have a solid receiving corps, adding another explosive wide receiver could open up their offense even further. Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 draft class, and his Combine performance did not disappoint.

Harrison ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, showcasing excellent speed for a wide receiver. His 41-inch vertical jump, combined with a broad jump of 10 feet 8 inches, highlighted his ability to get off the ground and make spectacular catches in tight spaces. His ability to separate from defenders, along with his strong route-running skills, makes him a perfect fit for a Lions offense that thrives on high-powered, dynamic plays.

What makes Harrison particularly appealing to the Lions is his polished route tree and his ability to win in multiple areas of the field. His combination of size, speed, and agility could make him a primary target for quarterback Jared Goff, creating a dynamic duo with Amon-Ra St. Brown.

4. Defensive Tackle: Jalen Carter, Georgia

The Lions need to improve their interior defensive line to stop the run and create pressure in the middle of the defense. Jalen Carter, another Georgia standout, is one of the top prospects at defensive tackle and showcased incredible strength and agility at the Combine.

Carter, who measured in at 6’3″ and 310 pounds, ran a 4.88-second 40-yard dash, which is impressive for a player of his size. He also posted 29 reps on the bench press, demonstrating his immense upper-body strength. Detroit’s defensive line could use a player like Carter who can clog running lanes and collapse the pocket from the inside.

Carter’s athleticism and ability to move laterally make him a potential game-changer for Detroit’s defensive front. His ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line could allow him to be a versatile piece in the Lions’ defensive schemes.

5. Linebacker: Jack Campbell, Iowa

The Lions are looking to strengthen their linebacker corps, particularly in coverage and run defense. Jack Campbell from Iowa had a standout performance at the Combine and may be an excellent fit for Detroit. At 6’5″ and 246 pounds, Campbell displayed impressive athleticism, running a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, which is fast for a linebacker of his size.

Campbell’s vertical jump of 39 inches showcased his explosiveness, while his broad jump of 10 feet 6 inches demonstrated his power. But what sets Campbell apart is his ability to read offenses and make plays in both the running and passing game. His quickness in lateral drills and his football IQ make him a valuable asset for any team looking to bolster their linebacker unit, especially in coverage situations.

For the Lions, Campbell could fill a vital role in the middle of their defense, helping to stop the run and cover tight ends in pass coverage.

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has presented several top prospects who could be great fits for the Detroit Lions. As the Lions continue their rebuilding process and look to challenge for playoff spots in future seasons, they will need to make calculated decisions at the draft. Players like Nolan Smith, Joey Porter Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., Jalen Carter, and Jack Campbell have demonstrated the skills and athleticism that could help take the Lions to the next level. If Detroit is able to capitalize on these prospects and add talent at key positions like edge rusher, cornerback, wide receiver, and linebacker, they will be well-positioned to compete in a tough NFC North division.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes will be on the Lions and how they leverage their opportunities to further bolster their roster, continuing their ascension under head coach Dan Campbell. With the right selections, the future looks bright for Detroit.