2023 Senior Bowl: 10 defensive players who fit Lions’ draft needs

This is the third of MLive’s three-part series previewing the 2023 Senior Bowl. Today: Defense. Previously: Quarterbacks | Non-QB offensive players

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes didn’t hold back when asked what position group needed the most work this offseason.

Defense.

Detroit’s defense showed signs of growth down the stretch, getting impactful play from its rookie class. But the Lions could have been more consistent against the run while struggling to defend the pass, get off the field on third down or behind the line of scrimmage. The Lions ranked in the league’s cellar in net passing yards allowed per throw (31st), rushing yards per attempt (30th), on third down (30th), in the red zone (27th), creating tackles for loss (31st) and rushing yards allowed to quarterbacks (32nd). And they head into another offseason with a glaring need at cornerback, not to mention more needed in the trenches.

See below for 10 defensive players to watch for the Detroit Lions at next week’s Senior Bowl:

Washington State LB Daiyan Henley

Daiyan Henley is one of those battle-tested, position-versatile prospects that jump off the page this time of year. Henley started his career with two years at wide receiver for Nevada. He switched to defensive back in 2019, then changed to linebacker for the next two seasons at the school. Henley then transferred to Washington State for his graduate season, where he notched 106 tackles, including 12 for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception. Henley had a monster season in his final year at Nevada, too. He posted 94 tackles with four interceptions and one defensive touchdown in 2021. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Henley 10th among all linebackers. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound defender and has continued to grow at the position. There will be a learning curve at the next level, but it’s OK to expect growth from someone excelling like this at such a new position.

Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly

Kyu Blu Kelly is a long, athletic cornerback who held down a consistent starting role for three years at Stanford. Kelly’s play took a slight step back, but everything seemed to tumble in head coach David Shaw’s final year at the university. Kelly has spent most of his time on the outside. But he’s moved around some, with 105 snaps at nickelback in 2021. Pro Football Focus gives the 6-foot-1 corner props for being a fluid mover and “ultra-quick to read and react from an alignment.” Kelly had three interceptions in three years, returning one for a touchdown. PFF had the senior allowing 22 catches on 44 targets in coverage for 373 yards and two scores. Kelly was an all-state and Nevada state champion track athlete before landing at Stanford. He’s the son of former NFL cornerback Brian Kelly, who spent the final season of his career with the Detroit Lions.

Army EDGE Andre Carter II

While Andre Carter II couldn’t build on his breakout 2021 campaign, the Army edge defender has still shown more than enough to merit attention. Carter, the monster 6-foot-7, 260-pound pass rusher, had 17 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks last season. He played two fewer games this year, notching 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His pressures created dipped from 59 to 23. But Pro Football Focus still likes what they saw in last year’s highest-graded pass rusher at his position. The analytics ranked him 75th among FBS edge defenders with enough snaps to qualify, not to mention 60th in the pass-rushing department.

Carter gets credit for pairing a high motor with his plus athleticism. If someone is patient, there’s something to work with in the 6-foot-7 pass rusher because there have been game-breaking moments. He’ll be allowed to enter the draft, with a chance to be Army’s highest-drafter player in the modern era.

Kansas State CB Julius Brents

Julius Brents was an all-important ball-hawking cornerback for the resurgent Wildcats. The rangy 6-foot-4 defender intercepted four balls, adding 45 tackles, 3.5 for loss and one forced fumble. Brents opened his career with two seasons at Iowa. He ended with 27 straight starts at Kansas State, earning All-Big 12 honors in both years. Brents allowed only 24 receptions on 52 targets for 374 yards and three touchdowns in 2022. The tall defensive back lacks love on positional rankings from the national analysts. But that’s likely due to questions about his speed, scheme and man-coverage chops.

Iowa S Kaevon Merriweather

Safety is a position the Lions should feel better about, with Kerby Joseph flashing as a rookie and Tracy Walker in the fold, recovering from an early-season Achilles injury. But competent depth never hurts, especially with DeShon Elliott without a contract and Ifeatu Melifonwu dealing with another injury-hampered season. Kaevon Merriweather ranked fifth among FBS safeties with enough snaps to qualify in 2022, per PFF. His play in coverage stood out, while every other aspect was considered rock-solid. The 6-foot, 211-pound safety intercepted three passes last season. He added 47 tackles, including two for loss, two defensive touchdowns and one forced fumble. Merriweather looks to have ready-to-go speed while being a willing tackler in the open field. The Athletic ranks him 11th among all safeties.

Coastal Carolina DL Jerrod Clark

Coastal Carolina has enjoyed a strong three-year stretch, boosted by its defense. Jerrod Clark has played a key hand over the previous two seasons from the middle of the defensive line. The 6-foot-4, 345-pounder moved around more in 2022 and delivered impressive pass-rushing numbers. Clark generated 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He had only 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks the previous year. Clark fits well with the roster here, too. Alim McNeill will continue to move around, opening a hole in the middle of the defensive line. Defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs, a favorite inside the locker room, is a pending free agent. This position is a need with or without the defensive tackle back in Detroit.

Auburn EDGE Derick Hall

Derick Hall has posted impressive numbers through three seasons starting in the SEC. Hall hit another these last two years, though, posting 24 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks through his previous 25 games. PFF ranked him in the top 50 of FBS pass rushers at his position. Hall posted five pressures in the finale against Alabama, ending the season with 17 through his final four outings. He’s built for the next level at 6-foot-3, 251 pounds. And The Draft Network notes Hall has an intriguing athletic past, with the edge rusher making the Mississippi high school state finals in the 200-meter sprint.

Alabama DL DJ Dale

It’s admittedly hard to ignore defensive linemen who consistently played for Nick Saban over four years. DJ Dale held things down in the middle, never posting gaudy stats at Alabama. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder’s pass rush hit another level this past season, though, with career highs in tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (2.5). Dale was graded as the 30th-ranked interior defender from PFF, with strong marks on the ground and rushing the passer.

Oregon State CB Rejzohn Wright

And for those wondering why that name sounds familiar, Rejzohn Wright was one of the standouts from the fifth season of Netflix’s “Last Chance U.” Wright is a physical corner who has flashed solid ball skills with an intriguing path here. He’s another tall, lanky corner to keep tabs on next week. The 6-foot-2 cornerback intercepted two passes through each of the previous two seasons. PFF had him allowing only 25 catches on 53 targets in coverage last year. Wright was a first-team All-Pac 12 player to end his career, excelling after transferring from Laney College.

Bowling Green DL Karl Brooks

Karl Brooks was PFF’s top-graded edge defender in 2022. The Bowling Green standout was second in the nation at his position with 69 pressures and 49 hurries created. Brooks’ production this past season is ridiculous, but it’s also worth noting he’s been a consistent contributor while moving around the line for five years. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive end had 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to end his college career. He posted 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks the previous season. Brooks had 15.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks combined through his first three seasons. He dominated the MACtion, and now gets the chance to do it against some of the best at the Senior Bowl.

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