Exploring how fourth-round pick OL Giovanni Manu’s skill set will impact the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions continue to be aggressive in acquiring players they perceive to have high developmental ceilings. In the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Lions traded with the New York Jets to acquire pick No. 126 and used the pick to select offensive lineman Giovanni Manu out of the University of British Columbia—becoming the first player ever selected from that university.
Manu checks in at 6-foot-7 1⁄2, 352 pounds with an 8.84 RAS and was a late riser in the draft process. He took a late top “30” visit to Allen Park—he took 11 NFL visits in total—and Manu noted that the Lions took extra time to meet with him, lining up the visit on a Sunday, which is typically their day off. Manu went on to explain how excited the Lions were by his potential—which is reflected in the fact that they traded a 2025 third-round pick to move into the fourth round to acquire him.
Manu was born in Tonga and moved to Canada as a youth, eventually committing to the University of British Columbia. He started all four years on the offensive line, splitting time between left tackle and left guard.
“A lot of teams have asked me what position I see myself playing. I ultimately told them that I’ll play whatever position they want me to play,” Manu told Justin Melo of the Draft Network. “Whatever spot I can get the most playing time at, that’s where I want to play. Some teams loved hearing that and said they can put me at guard or tackle.
“Some of these teams reaching out to me already have a franchise left tackle. In those situations, guard would be a good option for me. I’m open to both guard and left tackle depending on the situation. It really doesn’t matter to me. I just want to play a role that helps the team win games. That’s all that matters to me.”
Manu is not considered to be a player ready to step in and contribute right away, but instead be a developmental prospect with a very high upside. This move is very reminiscent of Detroit’s pick of DT Brodric Martin last year, where the Lions made a strong push to acquire him and get them in their program, knowing he may not contribute for some time.
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