With just one more game remaining until the official end of the 2023 NFL season, most teams are fully in offseason mode.
That includes the Detroit Lions, whose fans are now looking toward free agency, and the 2024 NFL Draft.
To prepare all 32 fan bases for the upcoming draft, I published my first two-round mock draft of the cycle, in which the Lions landed two potential starters.
Round 1, Pick 29: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
“The Lions came so close to reaching the promised land this year after losing to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. One of the areas that they have to improve for next season is their secondary, which allowed too many big plays in the playoffs. A CB I like for them is Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who may be flying under the radar in the NFL Draft world because of his recent injury, but his talent is undeniable. If the Lions can land a CB prospect with legit potential of becoming their top CB in the future this late in the first, they should pounce.”
The Lions had quite the draft last year, and two offensive players stand above the rest with their selections of RB Jahmyr Gibbs and TE Sam LaPorta. I think they should prioritize the other side of the ball this year. With their first pick, I have them grabbing Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Rakestraw Jr was slated to participate in the Senior Bowl, but an injury pulled him out, which could play into the Lions’ favor. Some believe he could have cemented himself as a top-20 pick if he had gotten to participate and meet with teams in Mobile. But in this mock, one of the top CBs in this class falls into the Lions’ lap at 29, and I think they would pounce.
Round 2, Pick 61: DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke
“In the second round, I have the Lions turning to interior defensive lineman DeWayne Carter out of Duke. Carter is coming off a successful week in Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl, where he turned multiple people’s heads as he was impactful in both the pass and run game during practice. He has a solid balance of strength and speed on the interior that will cause some interior offense lineman trouble at the next level, which would be perfect for Detroit.”
I have the Lions doubling up on defense here as they select DeWayne Carter out of Duke with their second pick. Carter had a great week at the Senior Bowl, where he showed off his strength and speed on the interior. Carter would improve the Lions run game and give them a high-upside pass rusher at DT, which would open up more for a player like Aidan Hutchinson off the edge.