Following the 2024 NFL draft, the consensus from most NFL experts is that the Detroit Lions did very well. Lions General Manager Brad Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell earned high praise for concentrating on the team’s weakest positions and drafting up when necessary to get specific players that best met those needs. Sports Illustrated’s NFL staff writer, Matt Verderame, was one of many to award the Lions an “A” on their draft selections.
Round 1 – Cornerback Terrion Arnold
The Lions came roaring out of the gate in the first round, trading their third-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys to move up five spots. Wielding that 24th pick, the Lions selected University of Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.
Ranked the number two cornerback in the draft, the former All-American Crimson Tide recruit exhibits all of the strengths of a Nick Saban-coached defensive back. Arnold possesses the physicality, speed, and field awareness of an elite athlete. In his 2023 All-American college season, he had 63 tackles (six and a half for a loss) and five interceptions.
A four-star prospect from Tallahassee, Florida, Arnold played wide receiver and safety before signing with Alabama as a freshman red shirt. Named to the Freshman All-American team after playing his first year, Arnold was a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
An impact player with the quickness and ability to aggressively disrupt the passing game, Arnold is a terrific addition to DC Aaron Glenn’s secondary. As a rookie, he also has the good fortune to be mentored by his former Crimson Tide teammate and second-year Lions defensive standout, Brian Branch.
Arnold will compete for the starting assignment with fellow rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Carlton Davis and Las Vegas Raiders’ Amik Robertson, both of whom were acquired in free agency, are also expected to compete.
Round 2 – Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, Jr.
Selected with the 61st pick in the second round, Ennis Rakestraw from the University of Missouri is another solid draft choice and a promising addition to the Lions’ defense. Rakestraw possesses the requisite physicality and skill set to be a significant pass threat for opposing teams. Pre-draft assessments highlighted his strength in man-to-man coverage scenarios and breaking up passes.
As a likely future Pro Bowl candidate, the only concern surrounding Rakestraw is a history of serious college injuries, including a torn ACL in his sophomore year and a core muscle injury that required surgery last year. The key to Rakestraw’s success could be bulking up his stature as a way to remain healthy.
Round 4 – OT Giovanni Manu
After trading away their third-round pick to Dallas to acquire Terrion Arnold, the Lions’ next pick was in the fourth round. Selecting University of British Columbia offensive tackle Giovanni Manu with the 126th pick, the first thing that stands out about Manu is his size. Standing 6’7″ and weighing an impressive 352 pounds, Manu is an imposing wall of lean muscle and physical strength. Although Manu may be lacking some of the skills, his physical stature alone makes him an asset that could help the Lions ground game.
Round 4 – RB / Safety -Sione Maki
Although the Lions have arguably the best tandem running back duo in the NFL right now with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, they took a chance in signing Utah running back Sione Vaki. When a team comes across an elite athlete who can play multiple positions and excel in a variety of athletic endeavors, it isn’t easy to pass him up. The Lions took Vaki with the 132nd pick of the draft, and from all accounts, he will be an exciting and explosive addition to Ben Johnson’s offense. Demonstrating quickness and agility in his ground game, Vaki also has strong pass catching ability and scores high on notching those all important yards after the catch. His versatility and efficiency in playing positions other then running back could open up a number of possibilities on how this talented young man can become an immediate impact player.
Round 6 – DT Mekhi Wingo
A team captain at LSU, Wingo clearly has the leadership qualities and character that fit in well with the Lion’s objectives and organizational values.
Round 6 – OG Christian Mahogany
With their final pick of the 2024 draft, the Lions selected offensive guard Christian Mahogany from Boston College. Chosen to the ACC-All Second Team in his sophomore year, Mahogany was viewed as a standout athlete in college.
Mahogany earned second-team all-conference honors in the ACC. However, a torn ACL kept him off the field in his junior year in 2022. But Mahogany fought hard in rehab to regain his former conditioning and came back even stronger. As a senior at BC, Mahogany was name to the All-ACC First Team, along with the All-New England team and was regarded as a contender for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.
At The End of The Day
Despite all the accolades from experts on how well the Detroit Lions did in their 2024 draft, it’s important not to take these opinions too seriously. Remember, this is the same group of sports writers who determined that, at best, the Lions deserved only a “C” grade in their 2023 draft. To many, the signing of Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, with the 12th pick overall, was a reach. Others criticized the selection of Sam LaPorta and viewed other tight ends as a far better choice than LaPorta. Let’s not overlook the fact that in addition to superstar rookies like Gibbs and LaPorta, Holmes, and Campbell also drafted impact players Brian Branch and Jack Campbell in that same class. At the end of the day, it’s a safe bet to rely on the judgement of Brad Homes and Dan Campbell.