With the 2024 NFL Draft now complete, let’s hand out a grade for the Detroit Lions’ entire class.
The Detroit Lions’ fourth NFL Draft under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell was the most different of the previous three. The first year, the front office needed to make some big moves to set the standard and they did, drafting Penei Sewell in the first round, the first piece of their foundation. In 2022, the team continued getting foundational pieces by drafting two first-round picks, Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams. In 2023, despite an improvement in their record, the team still had two first-round picks and they made them count in Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell.
This year, the team no longer had an extra first-round pick. They only held Pick 29 in the opening round. While this team did have needs on the roster, the needs weren’t as pressing as they were in years past due to player development and free-agent acquisition.
We now would see what Holmes and Campbell would do when they aren’t able to pick the cream of the crop of the rookies in the league and when they have to possibly make a move to get who they want. Let’s take a look at how this fourth draft class looks under Holmes and Campbell.
First round (24): CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama)
This pick was easily my favorite of the entire draft class. The secondary was a major weakness in 2022, and while they tried their best to fix it last year, it was still a huge issue. The Lions did have to give up a third-round pick to move up to the 24 spot from 29, but the trade was worthwhile in the end.
Arnold is an instant starter on the outside as the number two cornerback on the team. He is a physical cornerback who can play in the slot if needed but excels as an outside cornerback. He led the SEC in interceptions (five) and pass deflections (17) and somehow he was still on the board at pick 24. Holmes said afterward that Arnold was their number one cornerback on their board and once the Philadelphia Eagles took cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, the Lions needed to make a move up to snag Arnold.
With only one starting capable outside cornerback signed beyond 2024 (Amik Robertson) Arnold gives Detroit long-term security at the position. He could be the team’s top option in 2025 if newly-acquired cornerback Carlton Davis is only around for a year.
Role: Starter (Outside cornerback alongside Carlton Davis)
Second round (61): CB Ennis Rakestraw (Missouri)
As I said earlier, the Lions needed more bodies at cornerback and they got another outside cornerback in Ennis Rakestraw. His injury history likely knocked him down on draft boards, but as we all know, Holmes loves a player who can battle through injuries and come back with intensity.
While Arnold is very confident and vocal about his skillset, Rakestraw is more reserved in his swagger. Holmes said he “just kind of felt ‘dog’ exuding out of him“ when talking to Rakestraw during the draft process. Rakestraw is another physical cornerback who isn’t afraid to get messy and violent with the offense.
If Davis doesn’t re-sign with the Lions, you could see Arnold move to CB1 and Rakestraw as CB2. It gives Detroit plenty of options of who can play and who can sit on the bench at the position. You have Davis, Arnold, Robertson, Gilmore, Rakestraw, Emmanuel Moseley, Khalil Dorsey, Branch, Kindle Vildor, and Craig James. That is a lot of bodies that will battle it out in training camp and preseason.
Role: Backup (Can turn into a starter in 2025)
Fourth round (126): OT Giovanni Manu (University of British Columbia)
This one has me puzzled the most out of all six picks, and it’s not because of the position, as the Lions do need depth at offensive tackle. But trading up to get a player who played against such a low level of competition is a bit of a risk. A third-round investment into Manu is even more significant than the third rounder Detroit spent t move up five spots to get a starting cornerback.
Manu is a big athlete at 6-foot-8 and 350 pounds. For this investment to be worth it, he will need to develop to turn into a possible starting offensive tackle. The Lions will have to figure out what to do with left tackle Taylor Decker in the near future, and while I don’t think Decker would opt to leave—especially after seeing what the team has built and what is ahead—it’s not a bad idea to find a possible replacement in case things go south.
The player itself is fine and the position is logical. I just don’t really care for the trade and what the Lions had to give up to get Manu, when I believe he could have been taken further in the draft, even if he was the best kept secret.
Role: Project (Could be swing tackle, but will most likely be behind Dan Skipper in 2024.)
Fourth round (132): RB/S Sione Vaki (Utah)
The interesting part about this pick is while Vaki played at safety for a majority of his college career, when he met with Detroit during the draft process, he met with the offense instead of the defense. Vaki did play some offense in college, along with special teams, and it seems like the Lions value him more as a running back over a safety.
With Vaki being an unknown on the team, I am not too sure how to feel about him. I know he is a helpful safety and with the team needing depth at the position, it makes more sense to keep him there instead of moving him to offense. Admittedly, Vaki has shown some serious potential as a running back, but I would need to see more examples of how he can be used before I can fully be sold into loving this pick.
Role: Unknown (Drafted as running back, but also has experience on special teams and defense.)
Sixth round (189): DT Mekhi Wingo (LSU)
In the final trade for the Lions in the NFL Draft, the Lions got themselves a top-100 player according to Dane Brugler in The Beast. Detroit needed some help on the defensive line and if they couldn’t get it at the edge position, getting an interior pass rusher is the next best thing. While DJ Reader and Alim McNeill are locked into starting roles, McNeill is due for a contract extension after next season, and if the Lions aren’t able to keep him around, Wingo could be a potential replacement.
If McNeill is able to re-sign, Wingo can still contribute as a third string defensive tackle. Having him develop behind McNeill and Reader is a great succession play to help him develop into a better starter.
Wingo is a pass-rushing defensive tackle who can generate pressure on the inside, something Detroit didn’t have much of last season. If he can do that inside with others on the outside helping, it is going to be a tough day for any opposing offensive line.
Detroit Lions 6th Round Pick LSU DT Mekhi Wingo recording a Pick 6 for Missouri his Sophomore Year in 2021 when he was teammates with Ennis Rakestraw Jr. pic.twitter.com/vHU9Ydzilv
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) April 27, 2024
Not only can he rush the passer, but he has the hands and feet to snag a ball in the air and return it for a touchdown too. Everyone loves it when a defensive tackle can get an interception, but returning one for a touchdown is next-level and a type of athlete Detroit could use on their line.
Role: Backup, rotational player
Sixth round (210): OG Christian Mahogany (Boston College)
Probably my second favorite pick in this class here is guard Christian Mahogany. I was big on the Lions taking a guard early in the draft process, and while I wasn’t happy with that being the last position the team addressed, they still were able to come away with a solid option in Mahogany. He is his style of play is exactly what the Lions want in their linemen.
“He’s got some dirtbag in him,” said Holmes. “He’s one of these Jersey kids who doesn’t take a lot of crap.”
Mahogany comes in with less pressure on him, which gives him an advantage heading into camp. While he isn’t fighting for a starting role, he still needs to prove his worth in being a future starter in the NFL. He will compete with Colby Sorsdal and Kayode Awosika in training camp to see who the backup guard will be on the team. If he can win the backup job and impress the coaches enough, he could potentially be the team’s starting guard in 2025.
Role: Backup (Possible starting guard in 2025.)
Overall Grade: B+
While this class only needs one to two players to turn into starters for the Lions this year, it was still an important class to help shape the future of this franchise. Detroit got two future cornerbacks in Arnold and Rakestraw to help the secondary become a strength instead of a weakness. They have some offensive line depth in Manu and Mahogany who help as reserves in the immediate, but offer starting potential in the future.
Wingo helps the defensive line generate pressure and gives the secondary a little bit of a break. Finally, they have a Swiss army knife in Vaki, who will be able to play offense, defense, and special teams.
Detroit and Holmes had their first test in drafting late, something they hope is a common theme moving forward. With the additions that were made in these six picks, I truly believe the Detroit Lions are a legit Super Bowl threat in 2024. They were a game short of making it last season, and with the additions they made via free agency, trades, and the draft, this team is shaping up to be the best Lions team ever assembled and a true beginning of a championship franchise.
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