A closer look at the positions the Detroit Lions could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:
Positions of need: General manager Bob Quinn has already made it clear where he needs to improve the Lions this offseason: at running back and on defense. Though the secondary shouldn't be a big concern for Quinn and new coach Matt Patricia, the front seven needs some work. Detroit's pass rush was poor last season, and the future of two veteran defensive linemen -- end Ezekiel Ansah and tackle Haloti Ngata -- remains unclear. Detroit also had the worst rushing attack in the league last season. The Lions are fairly well set at some positions, including receiver and quarterback. But don't be surprised if this draft ends up -- much like Quinn's first two -- heavy on linemen and players at positions of need.
Three players the Lions should focus on at combine:
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU: He's not Saquon Barkley but Guice is a talented rusher who might be the No. 2 back in the draft. He was Mel Kiper Jr.'s first-round pick for the Lions in Kiper's second mock draft, and it makes sense why. Guice has three-down potential -- or could at least provide solid two-down work with Theo Riddick (or Ameer Abdullah) being the third-down and two-minute option. Guice gains yards in bunches, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and scoring 29 touchdowns in three seasons. He gained 3,074 yards, fifth-most in Tigers history. Not that the Lions need it with Jamal Agnew on the roster, but Guice has experience returning kicks, too.
Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA: Davenport is one of two edge rushers with first-round potential whom the Lions are going to have a large base of knowledge about, along with Boston College's Harold Landry. Why? Their position coaches from last season are on Detroit's staff. New defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni was Landry's coach last season, and Bo Davis, Detroit's new defensive line coach, was Davenport's coach. The 6-foot-7, 255-pound Davenport has the potential to play in a 4-3 or 3-4, which could make him even more intriguing to Patricia and Quinn, who covet versatility. Davenport had 55 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks last season. His frame can handle more weight, too, which could give him more power. The biggest question is if he'll be available at No. 20.
Vita Vea, DT, Washington: This could be any number of players, including Alabama's Da'Ron Payne and Michigan's Maurice Hurst. Vea is a massive human -- 6-5, 340 pounds -- and was a second-team All-American last season along with being the Pac 12 Defensive Player of the Year. His stats won't wow you (44 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss last season) but he is just a good, big player. Kiper Jr. compared him to Ngata, the player he could end up replacing.