This is the final stretch of our prospect positional preview series for the Detroit Lions heading into the NFL combine, which kicks off next week in Indianapolis. Today: Specialists and defensive backs. Previously:Quarterbacks,running backs,tight ends,wide receivers,offensive line,defensive line/EDGE |linebackers
Need?
Nope.
The Lions are in great hands for the short and long term with Jake Bates, Jack Fox and Hogan Hatten forming a rock-solid specialist nucleus. Fox is one of the best punters in the league for a couple of years running. Hatten is dependable, young and adds an athletic element to the team’s punt coverage units.
Bates’ numbers were down this past season. But he’s proven to be the kicker of the present and the future in Detroit, and the Lions have full confidence in the kicker continuing to improve. They have expressed that confidence by not bringing in kicking competition through the last two offseasons. Bates had some low balls that were blocked and missed four more field goals than last year. But he was consistent as the placekicker, as well, and the Lions aren’t thinking twice about their kicking situation.
“I really am not worried about him at all,” Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said late last season. “I think he’s a great player. He’s going to be an incredible player in this league; he’s a tremendous talent. Like I said, we’d be dying to find a guy like him if we didn’t have him. And that doesn’t mean he’s not going to have some ups and downs; he’s going to have that throughout the course of his career. I think, is he growing? Is he getting better?
“I think in hindsight for him, he’ll probably look back at this year, and it’ll be one of the best years he’s ever had just in terms of growth.”
Before we dig into the prospects, it’s worth reiterating that the Lions are set, for sure. But we’re going to highlight some of the names for preview purposes anyway of the seven specialists heading to the combine for the next week.
Top prospects
Trey Smack, K, Florida
Trey Smack was consistent, making at least 80% of his field goals across three straight seasons. He made 18 of 22 field goals last season, and missed only one extra-point try in three seasons. Smack had a long make of 56 yards in 2025, with makes from 55 yards in 2024 and 53 yards out in 2023.
Drew Stevens, K, Iowa
Across four years as Iowa’s primary kicker, Drew Stevens made 124 of 126 point-after attempts and 76 of 95 field goals. He made 22 kicks on a career-high 28 attempts last season, with a long of 58 yards. Stevens is experienced and has a strong leg.
Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
Dominic Zvada was nearly flawless for the Wolverines in 2024, making 21 of 22 field goals including a long hit of 56 yards. The senior kicker missed eight field goals in 2025, nailing all 43 extra points. He had two seasons of making at least 94% of his kicks between Michigan and Arkansas State, not to mention two seasons at 77.3% (2023) and 68% (2025). When he’s hot, he’s an elite kicker.
Others notable prospects heading to Indy
Brett Thorson, P, Georgia
Brett Thorson ranked 15th in net average per punt, and was 27th in the nation with a 45.5-yard average on kicks. Thorson was the primary punter at Georgia for four seasons and has kicked in some big-time games.
Ryan Eckley, P, Michigan State
Ryan Eckley led the nation while averaging 48.5 yards per punt last year. His net average of 40.6 yards dropped well past the top 50 punters. But this is someone who led the Big Ten in punting average in back-to-back seasons.
Kaden Wetjen, potential returner/WR, Iowa
We’ll get out of here with a fun one. Kalif Raymond is a pending free agent, so we might as well highlight one of the best potential return specialists heading to Indianapolis. Kaden Wetjen notched 476 kick-return yards on just 16 attempts for an elite average of 29.8 yards per return for the Hawkeyes. Wetjen had a 100-yard return for a touchdown, adding a nation-leading 563 punt-return yards and three scores in that department.