The likely No. 1 pick in this year's NFL Draft will take the stage Monday night in the College Football Playoff national championship. But the Lions won't be eyeing Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Their eyes will be trained on the trenches, where both Indiana and Miami boast players who could suit Detroit in the early rounds of the draft and boost the team next season.
On offense, that includes Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa, considered by many the top offensive lineman in the draft. Mauigoa will likely be gone before the Lions' first pick at No. 17, but he's a name to watch if they make a move up the board. Brad Holmes said he'll take an "urgent" approach this offseason to reestablishing Detroit's offensive line as a strength.
On Indiana's offensive line, center Pat Koogan and left tackle Carter Smith bear watching. The Lions still have a huge hole to fill at center after the sudden retirement last offseason of Frank Ragnow, who's not expected to attempt another comeback. And with Taylor Decker contemplating retirement himself, Detroit's current succession plan at left tackle doesn't inspire much optimism.
But offensive linemen are only so much "fun" to watch, especially in a game with so many other great players. With that in mind, here are three defensive standouts for Miami who deserve your attention Monday night as potential draft fits for Detroit.
Rueben Bain Jr., edge
Probably the best defensive end in the draft, Bain is almost certain to be picked before No. 17. Like Mauigoa, Miami's right tackle, the Lions would have to go get him. He'd be worth it. Bain is the full package on the edge, powerful as a pass-rusher and stout against the run. He'd be an ideal complement to Aidan Hutchinson, a role the Lions have been trying (and failing) to fill from basically the moment Hutchinson showed up. The main knock on Bain, who has four sacks in the playoffs, is his arm length, but that didn't stop the Lions from drafting Hutchinson second overall in 2022.
Akheem Mesidor, edge
Bain's running mate, Mesidor is much more likely to be on the board at No. 17. He doesn't boast the same elite traits as Bain, but plays the same complete game and had even more production this season with 10.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. Nothing wrong with benefiting from playing opposite a top-tier defensive end, which is exactly what Mesidor would be doing in Detroit. Of note: Mesidor is completing his sixth college season and turns 25 in April, so it's fair to wonder how much more upside exists here.
Zechariah Poyser
In 2024, the Lions had the top safety tandem in the NFL. A year later, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch played just a handful of games together and now face injuries that could impact them next season and potentially beyond, especially in the case of Joseph's chronic knee issue. Safety suddenly feels like it could be a position of need for the Lions. Poyser is a good one, and will get a great opportunity to show it against Mendoza and Indiana's elite passing attack. Like Branch, he lines up everywhere in the secondary and will likely be a Day 2 pick in the draft.