With the Senior Bowl offering a first look at how draft prospects stack up against NFL-level competition, three players in Mobile are emerging as fits for a Detroit Lions team built around physicality in the trenches.
As NFL teams zero in on Mobile, Alabama, for the Panini Senior Bowl, several prospects have stood out as intriguing fits for the Detroit Lions. Among them: Gabe Jacas (Illinois), Derrick Moore (Michigan) and Sam Hecht (Kansas State). Each has shown traits this week — from physical dominance in drills to consistent positional play — that could translate to the Lions’ roster as the 2026 NFL Draft nears.
Illinois’ Gabe Jacas – EDGE/LB
Jacas enters the Senior Bowl with a strong resume as one of the most productive Edge players in the Big Ten. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound pass rusher finished his college career second in program history with 27 sacks, including 11 in 2025, and was a disruptive force off the edge. He’s shown an ability to convert speed to power, maintain leverage and finish plays — traits that have carried over into Senior Bowl practices, where he’s impressed in one-on-one pass-rush drills and shown versatility lining up in multiple positions.
NFL draft evaluators project Jacas as a Day 2 pick, most commonly in the second to third round of the 2026 draft. Some boards have him near the top of Round 3, around the No. 67 overall range, with others placing him late in Round 2 or early Round 3 depending on his Senior Bowl performance.
For Detroit, Jacas’ blend of power, effort and pass-rush savvy would add depth behind starters like Aidan Hutchinson and potentially slide into a rotational role early. His ability to play both outside and on the strong side gives the Lions flexibility, helping them generate pressure in sub-packages or as part of a line rotation that keeps starters fresh throughout the game.
Michigan’s Derrick Moore – EDGE
Moore has been one of the more talked-about players this week in Mobile. The Michigan edge defender dominated early Senior Bowl drills, bulldozing blockers with a violent bull rush and displaying elite strength and burst. His performance turned heads and has helped elevate his draft buzz as teams assess his ability to sustain power at the next level.
Though Moore’s draft projection varies, mock drafts often peg him as an early Day 3 pick, around the fourth round — with some projections falling in the mid-Round 4 range — based on tape that shows high production and physical traits that could translate in a rotational role at the NFL level.
Detroit could pair Moore with Hutchinson to create a diverse pass rush. While Hutchinson brings high-end pressure and pursuit, Moore’s strength and power could excel as a situational threat — perhaps on early downs or in short-yardage pass rush packages — giving the Lions a multi-dimensional front that complicates blocking schemes for opposing offenses.
Kansas State’s Sam Hecht – Center
Offensive line help has been a priority for Detroit in recent years, and Sam Hecht could be the type of dependable interior lineman the Lions covet. A sturdy and consistent center at Kansas State, Hecht has been praised for his strong base, solid hand placement and clear decision-making on each snap. Reports from Senior Bowl practices highlight his ability to hold his ground against top defenders and anchor blocks in pass protection.
Hecht’s draft range is generally projected in the mid to late rounds — roughly Rounds 5 to 7 — with his steady play and intelligence in the middle of the line making him an appealing developmental center or potential early backup starter.
For the Lions, Hecht offers competition and depth at a position where reliability is critical. He’s the type of player who could step in as a rotational center early and develop into a long-term starter with proper coaching and technique refinement.
Why They Fit Detroit
Detroit’s roster already features elite talent up front — particularly on defense — but adding complementary pieces such as Jacas and Moore could deepen the pass rush and help sustain pressure across a full game. Meanwhile, bolstering the offensive line with a smart, sturdy center like Hecht would provide stability for the Lions’ offense, protecting the quarterback and helping in run schemes.
As Senior Bowl week progresses, these three prospects are staking their cases not just as draft picks, but as potential contributors on a Lions roster aiming for sustained success.