As has become his custom, Lions GM Brad Holmes made some trades during the 2024 NFL draft. Holmes traded up several times in the draft, including Detroit’s selection in the first round.
Lions fans, as well as the general football analyst community, seem pretty pleased with the players the Lions drafted after the trades. Still, it’s always interesting to take a look at what happened with the picks that Holmes and the Lions traded away to other teams. It’s important to note that Detroit wouldn’t necessarily have selected those same players with the traded picks, but it gives an idea of the opportunity cost of the moves Holmes and the Lions made to get their guys in the draft.
Here’s what happened with all the picks in the 2024 NFL draft that the Lions dealt away in various trades.
First round trade for Terrion Arnold
Terrion Arnold, a cornerback from the University of Alabama, shows off his Detroit Lions jersey with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he was picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft at the NFL draft theater in Detroit on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
The Lions traded up from No. 29 to No. 24, sending that later first-round pick and a seventh-rounder in the 2025 NFL draft to the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit moved up to select Alabama CB Terrion Arnold, who projects to start right away for the Lions.
In exchange for those picks, Dallas acquired No. 29 and No. 73 overall from Detroit. The 73rd pick was originally Minnesota’s and was acquired by Detroit in the T.J. Hockenson trade back in 2022.
At No. 29, the Cowboys selected Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton. He’s something of a developmental prospect with limited experience but a perceived high athletic upside.
At No. 73, Dallas drafted Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe. A polished, powerful lineman, Beebe is expected to start at guard right away for Dallas.
Third round trade for Carlton Davis
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 18: Carlton Davis III #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after an interception during the first quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Lions traded their own third-round pick, No. 92 overall, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier in the offseason to acquire cornerback Carlton Davis. The Bucs kept the pick and used it to select Washington WR Jalen McMillan.
Giovanni Manu trade
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, left, leaves the main theater stage after announcing Giovanni Manu, an offensive tackle from British Columbia, after the Lions traded up for the 126th overall pick in Round 4 of the NFL draft Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Detroit.
This outcome will have to wait until 2025. Detroit traded its third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the New York Jets to jump into the fourth round and select OL Giovanni Manu with the No. 126 overall pick.
Mekhi Wingo trade
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 29: Mekhi Wingo #DL27 of Louisiana State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit packaged two late-round picks and sent them to the Houston Texans to move up and select LSU DT Mekhi Wingo with the No. 189 overall pick in the fifth round.
Houston got back No. 205 in the sixth round and No. 249 near the end of the seventh and final round. With those picks, Houston selected Louisville RB Jawhar Jordan and Michigan OL Ladarius Henderson.
The Day 3 package
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Sione Vaki #DB65 of Utah participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Later on Day 3, the Lions and Eagles made a multi-pick trade. Detroit sent No. 164 in the fight round, No. 201 in the sixth round and a fourth-round pick in 2025 to Philadelphia for No. 132 in the fourth round and No. 210 in the sixth. The Lions selected RB Sione Vaki and OG Christian Mahogany, respectively, with those picks.
The Eagles traded the two picks from the Lions in a different deal. They bundled 164 and 201 and sent them to the Colts for No. 155. Philadelphia moved up to select Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., the son of the long-time Eagles linebacker.
The Colts kept the two Lions picks conveyed by the Eagles and selected Auburn DB Jaylin Simpson and Marshall CB Micah Abraham. Each has size issues; Simpson is a 6-foot safety who weighs just 179 pounds, while Abraham is a 5-foot-9, short-armed outside cornerback.
The long-ago traded fourth round pick
Jun 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Argonauts defensive back Qwan’tez Stiggers (42) reaches up to intercept a pass intended for Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Tim White (12) in the first quarter at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
As part of the 2022 T.J. Hockenson trade, the Lions also sent their 2024 fourth-round pick to Minnesota. That selection was No. 129 overall.
The Vikings traded that pick earlier in the first round, packaging it with No. 11 overall to move up to No. 10 in a deal with the New York Jets in the deal to select Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. New York didn’t keep the 129th pick long, however. They traded it to the San Francisco 49ers for two fifth-round selections, No. 173 and No. 176.
With the 129th pick that originally belonged to Detroit, the 49ers drafted Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo.
The Jets turned those late fifth-round picks into South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis and CFL CB Qwan’tez Stiggers.