Detroit Lions Tight End Targets at NFL Combine

The Detroit Lions struck gold in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, picking Iowa's Sam LaPorta. 

All LaPorta would go on to do was become a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro selection, quickly becoming a vital part of Detroit's passing attack. He set the regular season record for most receptions by a rookie tight end. 

Still, the Lions will have question marks behind him at the position. Brock Wright is a restricted free agent and James Mitchell has dealt with injuries over his first two seasons in the league. 

With depth uncertain, the Lions could seek out another answer in the NFL Draft. Here are four tight ends the organization should consider scouting at the NFL Scouting Combine, which officially begins this week. 

Brock Bowers, Georgia

Bowers is viewed as the consensus top prospect at the position heading into the Draft. He was a do-it-all prospect for the Bulldogs, amassing 2,538 receiving yards over three seasons. 

The prospect projects as a safety blanket for whichever quarterback he ends up pairing with at the NFL level. He also has athletic ability that will allow him to be a big-play threat. 

The Lions have an elite tight end in LaPorta, but have been aggressive in securing weapons for their offense. 

Bowers is predicted to be among the top players in the Draft and will likely be long gone by Detroit's No. 29 overall selection, but Holmes' propensity to get the players he wants could make it interesting come April. 

Jaheim Bell, Florida State

Bell had three solid years at South Carolina before transferring to spend his final year at Florida State. While he doesn't have the receiving production of a player like Bowers, he was plenty productive and a key part of the offense. 

He served his role well with the Seminoles, as the offense featured two strong wideouts in Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson. 

Bell is a very good athlete who was able to make plays in space. While not serving as a deep threat, he has the ability to get out and move after the catch. He projects as a solid secondary option who can also block. This is a skill set that the Lions may covet as their second tight end to pair with LaPorta. 

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas

Sanders is another versatile, big-bodied player who can line up inline as well as in the slot. Despite having a bigger frame, he established himself as an athletic pass-catching threat with the Longhorns. 

He had 99 receptions over the last two seasons and helped his case with a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Sanders moves well and has crisp route running that allows him to shake defenders in the middle of the field. 

Like Bell, he's also a big threat after the catch. His physicality makes him tough to bring down, and he has the ability to outrun defenders as well. 

Sanders is currently projected to be taken some time on Day Two, but could help his status immensely by testing well in Indianapolis. 

AJ Barner, Michigan

In terms of late-round potential targets, Barner may be among the best options available. He began his career at Indiana, but finished at Michigan in an offensive system that allows tight ends to flourish. 

He wasn't the Wolverines' top option, as he was behind Colston Loveland on the depth chart. However, their offense frequently used two-tight end sets and he was able to contribute in a consistent manner. 

Barner was able to prove his prowess as a blocker, finishing with an 81.4 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade as a result of his efforts. With LaPorta being a top receiving threat, adding a player who is sound in the blocking aspect to serve as a backup option would be a wise move.