This is the third of our prospect position-by-position preview series for the Detroit Lions heading into the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, which kicks off next week in Indianapolis. Today: Tight ends. Previously:Quarterbacks,Running backs
Need?
Yes. Not the top-of-the-line, most pressing type of need. But Detroit could benefit from an infusion of tight end depth for the short and long term.
Sam LaPorta hopes to be back on the field for the start of training camp. The Lions are expected to be cautious with their star tight end’s recovery from December back surgery. The offense faltered without top tight ends LaPorta and Brock Wright on the field down the stretch. LaPorta’s absence on third down was missed. Now, Wright enters the final year of his contract, and LaPorta faces a lengthy recovery after missing the final seven games.
On top of that, new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s offense relies on tight ends more than most. Trey McBride set the single-season record for receptions by a tight end last year in Arizona under Petzing. The Cardinals also used more jumbo/heavy-set personnel more than anyone else during Petzing’s three seasons as offensive coordinator.
Zach Horton and Thomas Gordon are the other tight ends under contract, meaning the Lions need depth to fill a potential void with LaPorta and to fit Petzing’s offense. Don’t be surprised if they add a veteran option in free agency, while targeting the position in the middle to later rounds in April. Dan Skipper was often utilized as the jumbo tight end in jumbo looks, and he retired, so they need options if the tackle depth isn’t improved.
Top Prospects:
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is likely the only tight end in the mix for the first round in this year’s draft class. And while he’s a wildly intriguing athlete and receiver worthy of the honor, it’s safe to say he’s not in the mix for the Lions at that price.
Sadiq caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in his final campaign in Oregon. His production wasn’t terrible. But his physical traits are what set him apart from the rest of the class. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder made The Athletic’s “Freaks List” with a previous 41.5-inch vertical and for bench pressing 435 pounds. He’s sure to grab some headlines next week in Indianapolis with high expectations for any athletic testing.
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Eli Stowers was a favorite target for Diego Pavia on his way to an All-American season at Vanderbilt. Stowers spent time at Texas A&M and New Mexico State before finishing with two seasons for the Commodores. He caught a career-best 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns. Stowers was listed as a quarterback in 2022 and 2023, so he’s an intriguing prospect at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. He wins with speed more than power at the position, and would infuse any team with a spark there.
Even with the need for depth, I wouldn’t expect the Lions to use a premium pick on a tight end. Stowers is the likely TE2 and well out of logical range for Detroit. He also doesn’t fit the mold of what we’ve been led to believe they are most linked to, as well.
Potential Lions Fits:
Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
Consider me a Tanner Koziol fan heading into this year’s draft. He’s not getting a ton of love as a top prospect and is projected firmly in the middle to later rounds. And that’s a good thing for a team like the Lions. They need depth at tight end, but it isn’t among their vital needs. Koziol’s likely pick range, size, fit and skills make him one to watch here.
Koziol has a massive catch radius at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, not to mention a standing as one of college football’s most productive tight ends over the last two years. After a 94-catch season at Ball State in 2024, Koziol went to Houston, where he thrived. He caught 74 passes for 727 yards and six touchdowns. Koziol had a contested catch rate of 74.1% and a drop rate of only 2.6% on his high-volume targets. He has 14 touchdowns across his final two seasons, while serving as a primary target during that time. Koziol is built for the next level and could be a worthwhile mold to develop, especially with Petzing taking over in 2026.
Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss
Dae’Quan Wright was a big-play threat for Ole Miss’ ride to the playoff last year. He turned 39 receptions into 635 yards for a 16.3-yard per-catch average, not to mention five touchdown catches for the Rebels. Wright is an impressive athlete at that size, and his experience as an H-back backs that up, and would pack a punch with an ability to beat linebackers in coverage. Wright had no contested catches and a sub-par run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. But he added 10.7 yards per catch after the reception, speaking to his YAC ability in space.
Wright isn’t known for his blocking, but his sturdy frame and some NFL coaching could help with that. He could also benefit from learning in a room under Petzing with LaPorta and Wright about how to mask and improve on those weaknesses.
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Max Klare is in the mix for TE2 after an impressive career at Ohio State. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound junior is another impressive athlete at the position. He comes from a program that called on him to play a number of roles, with his blocking looking stronger than the two tight ends thought to be ahead of him at this stage of the process. Klare had four contested catches and was a rock-solid run blocker in his final collegiate season. He’s a well-rounded option with some spark, but could cost a little more than the Lions want to spend on the position.
Sleepers to Watch:
John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
John Michael Gyllenborg was limited to only nine games played in each of his final two seasons at Wyoming. During that time, he caught 54 passes for more than 600 yards with four touchdowns. He’s been eager to show he’s recovered from those injuries and ready to roll for the next level. Gyllenborg competed at the Senior Bowl late last month and will have another chance to build his draft stock at next week’s combine.
His frame at 6-foot-5, 251 pounds makes him built for life in the NFL. He’s also an impressive athlete in his own regard, but just didn’t have a ton of chances to show that for the Cowboys or with his injuries. If he can grow as a blocker and stay on his feet more when making catches in traffic, then there is a role for him in this league. It will take some more work for someone like Gyllenborg. But the Lions are likely in the market for quality depth to grow and foster at the position.
Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
Joe Royer spent three seasons at Ohio State, where he was limited to only four receptions. He transferred to Cincinnati and immediately became a major part of the offense, with 50 catches and 521 yards in 2024. His production slipped this past season, with Royer managing only 29 catches. But the 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end still turned those chances into 416 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
The five -year college player struggled as a blocker, and his production raises eyebrows, though. For Royer, it’s all about proving his willingness as a blocker and that he won’t be a liability in those jumbo looks at the next level. His ceiling feels like a solid depth piece, and for a team that already has a LaPorta, that could fit their needs.