As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine approaches in Indianapolis next week, the Detroit Lions are focusing on strengthening their tight end depth to enhance their roster’s versatility and resilience. While tight end may not be their most urgent need, the Lions recognize the importance of adding quality options behind their current starters to support their offensive scheme and cover injury concerns.
Detroit’s Approach to Tight End Depth and Recovery Challenges
Detroit’s star tight end Sam LaPorta hopes to return by training camp after undergoing back surgery in December. His absence, especially on critical third-down situations late in the previous season, highlighted the team’s vulnerability without him and Brock Wright. Wright will enter the final year of his contract, and with LaPorta still recovering after missing seven consecutive games, depth behind these starters is essential for both short- and long-term success.
Additionally, new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s playbook places a strong emphasis on tight ends. Petzing’s tenure in Arizona showcased this, where Trey McBride set a record for the most receptions by a tight end in a single season. The Cardinals’ frequent use of jumbo or heavy-set formations further underscores the need for reliable tight end personnel capable of filling multiple roles.
Currently, Zach Horton and Thomas Gordon are the only other tight ends under contract, underscoring the Lions’ need to expand this group. The retirement of Dan Skipper, who frequently played the jumbo tight end role, compounds this necessity, particularly if the offensive line depth does not improve. Detroit may look to add a seasoned veteran in free agency while targeting promising prospects in the middle to late rounds of the upcoming draft.
Promising Tight End Prospects to Watch at the Combine
Among the prospects drawing attention, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq stands out as a potential first-round pick. Known for his exceptional athleticism, Sadiq impressed with a 41.5-inch vertical leap and the ability to bench press 435 pounds, earning him a spot on The Athletic’s Freaks List. He finished his collegiate career with 51 receptions, 560 yards, and eight touchdowns, showcasing strong physical traits that are expected to shine in Indianapolis. However, given Detroit’s current approach, pursuing Sadiq at a first-round price appears unlikely.
Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers is another intriguing talent. Stowers, who also spent time at Texas A&M and New Mexico State, excelled as a receiver, recording a career-best 62 catches for 769 yards and four touchdowns in his final season. Listed previously as a quarterback, his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame combines speed and agility rather than brute strength, offering a dynamic playmaker with the potential to energize an offense from the tight end position.
Despite the need for additional depth, Detroit is not expected to spend an early pick on tight ends. Stowers, likely a secondary tight end prospect, is projected to be drafted well beyond the Lions’ expected selection window. Moreover, he does not entirely align with the type of player Detroit has been associated with targeting to fill their roster needs.
Ideal Fits for Detroit’s Middle-to-Late Round Selection Strategy
Tanner Koziol from Houston emerges as one of the most promising middle-to-late round candidates for Detroit’s strategy. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 250 pounds, Koziol boasts a remarkable catch radius and combines size with high productivity. In 2024, after transferring from Ball State where he caught 94 passes, he accumulated 74 receptions for 727 yards and six touchdowns at Houston. His contested catch rate was an impressive 74.1%, alongside a low drop rate of 2.6% on extensive targets. With 14 touchdowns across his last two seasons, Koziol is a dependable target well suited to adapt to Petzing’s system.
Dae’Quan Wright from Ole Miss is recognized for his downfield threat capabilities, amassing 635 yards on 39 receptions, averaging 16.3 yards per catch, and contributing five touchdown receptions during Ole Miss’ playoff run. His experience as an H-back and ability to generate yards after catch add valuable dimensions to his profile. However, Wright’s run-blocking received below-average grades, and he lacks contested catches, indicating areas for development. With NFL coaching, especially alongside veterans like LaPorta and Brock Wright, he has potential to refine his blocking skills and prove an asset in coverage against linebackers.
Max Klare of Ohio State brings versatility and solid blocking to the tight end role. Klare stands 6-foot-5, weighs 243 pounds, and has experience playing multiple roles in a top collegiate program. His blocking is reportedly stronger than most tight ends in this draft class, evidenced by his four contested catches and dependable run blocking in his junior year. While Klare is a well-rounded athlete who could spark the offense, his draft stock might require a higher investment than the Lions prefer for a depth addition.
Additional Prospects for Depth and Development
John Michael Gyllenborg from Wyoming has battled injuries in recent seasons but demonstrated capability with 54 receptions for over 600 yards and four touchdowns over two years. At 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds, Gyllenborg has the size and athleticism needed for the NFL, which he showcased at the Senior Bowl and will further display at the combine. Detroit may see him as a developmental player who, with improved blocking and consistent catching, could grow into a reliable tight end option.
Joe Royer, who transferred to Cincinnati after limited early opportunities at Ohio State, made an immediate impact with 50 catches and 521 yards in 2024. Although his production dipped to 29 receptions last season, he still managed 416 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Royer’s main challenges lie in his blocking effectiveness, which he must improve to avoid being a liability, especially in jumbo personnel packages. His potential role is likely as a dependable backup supporting more prominent starters like LaPorta.
Implications for Detroit’s Offensive Future and Draft Plans
The Lions’ focus on tight end depth speaks to a broader urgency in adapting to new offensive dynamics and addressing vulnerabilities exposed by recent injuries. With Petzing’s offensive philosophy requiring versatile tight ends who can catch, block, and fill multiple roles, Detroit’s additions must blend skill with adaptability. The draft strategy appears to favor selecting value picks with upside rather than investing high selections on tight ends, allowing resources to be allocated to more pressing needs.
As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine unfolds, prospects like Koziol, Wright, and Klare could make compelling cases to join Detroit’s roster, potentially stabilizing the tight end position for years to come. Simultaneously, the Lions may look to free agency for experienced hands, especially to replace key roles once filled by players like Dan Skipper. The success of these moves will heavily influence the team’s ability to maintain offensive consistency and support a promising young quarterback and skill position group in the seasons ahead.
