MOBILE, Ala. – Darius Slay is enjoying the Florida sun in Orlando on his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl. The sixth-year cornerback is considered one of the best playmakers at the position. He leads the league in passes defended (91) since 2013. Slay has totaled 11 interceptions in the past two seasons, tied for the most by a cornerback in that span.
The problem the Lions currently have at the cornerback position is that Slay is the only one making those big plays. Detroit had just seven interceptions this season, second fewest in the league, and Slay was the only cornerback on the roster to record at least one.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn is on the lookout for playmakers, and could potentially look at the cornerback position as one of those areas where adding a playmaker or two could make an immediate impact, whether that's in free agency, the draft or both.
LSU junior Greedy Williams is the consensus No. 1 cornerback available in April's draft by most analysts. That could obviously change over the next couple months. Most peg Georgia's Deandre Baker as the best senior available at the position, but he turned down an invite to this week's Senior Bowl.
There's still a number of highly-touted cornerbacks here in Mobile, and it's a good bet Quinn and the Lions will be keeping close tabs on all of them. This year's Senior Bowl is a one-stop shop for a little bit of everything at the position. There are players with size, physicality, speed and a few playmakers in the bunch, like Temple's Rock Ya-Sin, Penn State's Amani Oruwariye and Texas' Kris Boyd.
"It's very important (to show this week) that I can fit in anywhere and do anything and play the call, whatever the call is," Ya-Sin said.
Ya-Sin (5-11, 189) has shown an ability early on in Senior Bowl practices to be around the football. He forced a fumble in Tuesday's practice and also knocked a couple of passes away from receivers in one-on-one drills.
A former state wrestling champ before picking up football late his junior year of high school, Ya-Sin was one of the five fastest players during Tuesday's South Team practice according to the Zebra Technologies sensors the players wear in their pads.
View photos from the first practice of the 2019 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) drops back to pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) carries the ball as North defensive back Amani Oruwariye of Penn State (21) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North tight end Tommy Sweeney of Boston College (89) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Andy Isabella of UMASS (5) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jaylen Smith of Louisville (12) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Andy Isabella of UMASS (5) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Ryan Finley of North Carolina State (15) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South fullback Trevon Wesco of West Virginia (88) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Andy Isabella of UMASS (5) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Ross Pierschbacher of Alabama (71) and South defensive tackle Daylon Mack of Texas A&M (34) runs blocking drills during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Elgton Jenkins of Mississippi State (74) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jaylen Smith of Louisville (12) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Dax Raymond of Utah State (87) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North center Garrett Bradbury of North Carolina State (65) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North offensive tackle Dalton Risner of Kansas State (71) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South running back Bruce Anderson of North Dakota State (4) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North offensive guard Beau Benzschawel of Wisconsin (66) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Dax Raymond of Utah State (87) catches a pass as South safety Juan Thornhill of Virginia (21) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) talks with South head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South running back Bruce Anderson of North Dakota State (4) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs of Alabama (49) stretches during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North fullback Alec Ingold of Wisconsin (45) carries the ball after a reception during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) stretches with teammates during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South offensive tackle Dennis Daley of South Carolina (78) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Dax Raymond of Utah State (87) catches a pass as South safety Darius West of Kentucky (25) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Tyree Jackson of Buffalo (3) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) throws a pass as South quarterback Jarrett Stidham of Auburn (8) watches during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Tyree Jackson of Buffalo (3) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Terry McLaurin of Ohio State (10) carries the ball after a reception during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Foster Moreau of LSU (18) catches a pass as South safety Darius West of Kentucky (25) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Drew Lock of Missouri (3) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) hands off to South running back Ryquell Armstead of Temple (25) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Ross Pierschbacher of Alabama (71) gets ready to snap the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) catches pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Alex Wesley of Northern Colorado (81) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Ryan Finley of North Carolina State (15) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Josh Oliver of San Jose State (89) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Will Grier of West Virginia (7) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders walks the field during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North running back Karan Higdon of Michigan (22) carries the ball as North outside linebacker Dre Greenlaw of Arkansas (36) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North offensive tackle Kaleb McGary of Washington (58) runs blocking drills with North center Erik McCoy of Texas A&M (78) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Drew Lock of Missouri (3) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Jarrett Stidham of Auburn (8) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) roll out to pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North tight end Drew Sample of Washington (88) catches a pass as North safety Darnell Savage of Maryland (4) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Terry McLaurin of Ohio State (10) carries the ball after a reception during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Ryan Finley of North Carolina State (15) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South wide receiver Hunter Renfrow of Clemson (13) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Ross Pierschbacher of Alabama (71) runs drills with South defensive tackle Daylon Mack of Texas A&M (34) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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Oruwariye, a First Team All-Big Ten and a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, has terrific size (6-1, 205). He recorded seven interceptions over the last two seasons. He was a technician in coverage during Tuesday's North Team practice.
"Instead of thinking of it as a 50-50 ball, see it as 100-0," Oruwariye said. "See it as your ball. Once the ball is in the air, I'm turning into a receiver and going and getting it.
"You see a lot of corners out there that aren't really looking back for the ball and not playing the ball, but that's how you make plays."
Boyd was the most physical of the bunch of cornerbacks. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Texas product had one particular one-on-one rep where he jammed the receiver so hard he ended up on his back. He also gave up some catches to some of the squad's shiftier receivers. He's defended 30 passes over his last two seasons at Texas.
Houston's Isaiah Johnson (6-2, 207) and Kentucky's Lonnie Johnson (6-2, 210) are a couple other names to monitor throughout Senior Bowl week and the pre-draft process.
