Following the 2024 NFL Draft, most NFL experts agree that the Detroit Lions did very well. Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell received high praise for focusing on the team’s weakest positions and, when necessary, bringing up players who best fit those needs. Matt Verderame, NFL editor at Sports Illustrated, was one of many who gave the Lions an “A” for their draft selection.
Round 1 – Cornerback Terrion Arnold
The Lions started the first round full steam ahead, trading their third-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys to move up five spots. With that 24th pick, the Lions selected cornerback Terrion Arnold from the University of Alabama.
The former All-American Crimson Tide recruit, who was rated as the No. 2 cornerback in the draft, has all the strengths of a Nick Saban-coached defensive back. Arnold has 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.
Arnold, a four-star prospect from Tallahassee, Florida, played wide receiver and safety before signing with Alabama as a redshirt freshman. Arnold was named to the Freshman All-American team after his freshman year and was a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
An impact player with the speed and ability to aggressively disrupt the passing game, Arnold is a great addition to DC Aaron Glenn’s secondary. As a rookie, he is also fortunate to be mentored by former Crimson Tide teammate and second-year Lions defensive star Brian Branch.
Arnold will compete with fellow rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw for the starting job. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson of the Las Vegas Raiders, both signed as free agents, are also expected to compete.
Round 2 – Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, Jr.
Ennis Rakestraw of the University of Missouri, selected 61st in the second round, is another solid draft choice and a promising addition to the Lions’ defense. Rakestraw has the physicality and skill needed to be a serious passing threat for opposing teams. Pre-draft evaluations highlighted his strength in man coverage scenarios and in breaking up passes.
A likely future Pro Bowl candidate, the only concern Rakestraw faces is a history of serious college injuries, including a torn ACL in his sophomore year and a core injury that required surgery last year. The key to Rakestraw’s success could be improving his frame to stay healthy.
Round 4 – OT Giovanni Manu
After trading their third-round pick to Dallas to get Terrion Arnold, the Lions’ next pick was in the fourth round. When they selected offensive tackle Giovanni Manu out of the University of British Columbia with the 126th pick, the first thing that stood out about Manu was his size. At 6’1″ tall and weighing an impressive 350 pounds, Manu is an imposing wall of lean muscle and physical strength. While Manu may lack some of the skills, his physical stature alone makes him an asset that could help the Lions’ running game.
Round 4 – RB / Safety – Sione Maki
Although the Lions currently have arguably the best running back duo in the NFL in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, they took a risk by 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 areas, it’s not easy to pass him up. The Lions drafted Vaki 132nd overall, and by all accounts he will be an exciting and explosive addition to Ben Johnson’s offense. Vaki shows speed and agility in his running game, is also a strong pass catcher and gains all-important yards after the catch. His versatility and efficiency in positions other than running back could open up many opportunities for this talented young man to develop into an impact player immediately.
Round 6 – DT Mekhi Wingo
DT Mekhi Wingo was selected by the Lions in the 6th round with the 169th overall pick and could be a nice addition to the Lions’ defense. Described as powerful and quick despite his small and stocky appearance, Wingo recorded 46 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks in 14 games for LSU during the 2022 season.
As LSU’s team captain, Wingo clearly possesses the leadership qualities and character that align well with the Lions’ goals and organizational values.
Round 6 – OG Christian Mahogany
With their last pick in the 2024 draft, the Lions selected offensive guard Christian Mahogany from Boston College. Mahogany was named to the ACC All Second Team in his sophomore year and was considered an outstanding athlete in college.
Mahogany was named to the All-Conference second team in the ACC. However, a torn ACL kept him off the field during 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 named to the All-ACC First Team as well as the All-New England team and was considered a contender for the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy.
At the end of the day
Despite all the praise pundits have given to the Detroit Lions’ performance in the 2024 draft, it’s important not to take these opinions too seriously. Remember, this is the same group of sportswriters who decided the Lions deserved a “C” grade at best in the 2023 draft. For many, the first-round draft of Jahmyr Gibbs, 12th overall, was too high. Others criticized the selection of Sam LaPorta, and considered other tight ends to be far better choices than LaPorta. We must not overlook the fact that Holmes and Campbell drafted superstar rookies like Gibbs and LaPorta, as well as influential players Brian Branch and Jack Campbell in the same class. Ultimately, Brad Homes and Dan Campbell’s judgment can be trusted.
Main image: Junfu Han – USA Today Sports
