The NFL Scouting Combine offers an opportunity for organizations to see and evaluate the best of the best in the incoming class of NFL rookies. Additionally, clubs are offered the opportunity to meet with prospects.

As a result, it will be a crucial week for the Detroit Lions. One place where the squad may stand to improve is on the defensive interior, therefore several elite players at the position could be evaluated by general manager Brad Holmes and colleagues.

The defensive linemen will do their on-field workouts on Feb. 29, which is the first day of on-field activities in Indianapolis. Here are five defensive line candidates that the Lions could investigate at the combine.

Sweat has become a popular target for the Lions in recent weeks after a solid performance at the Senior Bowl. His teammate, Byron Murphy II, is projected as a first-round choice, but Sweat has also earned his way into that debate as of late.

In order to take that next step, the defender could raise his status with a successful week in Indianapolis. His result in the agility tests might go a long way toward solidifying his status toward the top of the class.

Sweat has proven to be powerful with his hands and has power, so going the next step and showing off great footwork would only boost his chances of being picked on Day 1.

Orhorhoro adds a powerful pass-rush presence on the interior, having earned five sacks last season at Clemson and 12 total in his career. At 6-foot-4, he has good size, yet uses it efficiently to maintain low pad level. This makes him difficult to block.  He has strong feet as well, thus he’s able to create advantages against slower offensive linemen.

Orhorhoro might benefit from adding to his variety of pass-rush moves, as he is currently at his best with a bull-rush. His superb footwork will help him progress in this area, though. So, building up his hand strength will aid him immensely.

Formerly a Western Michigan Bronco, Fiske significantly improved his draft chances with a good showing against an outstanding Florida State defense in 2023. After four strong years in the MAC, he demonstrated his toughness with six sacks and nine tackles for loss for the Seminoles.

He was an intriguing prospect coming into the year, but he proved his standing amongst the top in the class with a good year at the Power Five level.

Fiske should do well in the strength components at the combine, but he will be particularly interesting in the agility sections. If his footwork is on point, he’ll make a case to jump up boards.

Like Sweat, Wingo has been overshadowed at periods by a talented colleague with plenty of draft talk. He played next to Maason Smith, who is likely to be an early Day 2 choice.

However, Wingo has enjoyed plenty of success in his own way. He has three sacks for the Tigers in 2023 and produced 14 total pressures. The Missouri transfer was at his finest as a three-technique player and played with a high energy.

Wingo is also a proven leader that would be a solid cultural match, given he wore LSU’s famous No. 18 jersey last season. He has plenty of attributes, but showing off athletic ability during his on-field phases would be big for his draft stock.

Considered one of the greatest defensive line prospects in the class, Newton is seen as a guy with Pro Bowl potential. Though he could have a future as a nose tackle, Newton is at his best as a three-technique.

He was a wrecking ball at Illinois, notching 27.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks over four seasons. The defender moves with light feet and big hands, giving him a challenging challenge for opponents.

He’ll be an interesting examination, as a problem regarding him is his short arm length. However, this can be overcome, as he demonstrated at the college level.

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