With the final order of picks of the 2024 NFL Draft becoming clearer and clearer throughout the playoffs, many NFL fan bases are turning their attention to the NFL Draft. Mock draft season is underway, with executives and fans hoping for their next up-and-coming superstar.
This mock draft will dive into the Detroit Lions, who will pick 29th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. This mock draft was constructed using the PFN Mock Draft Simulator.
Detroit Lions 2024 NFL Draft Picks
The Lions have had their best season in decades in 2023, and their offseason will be all about sustaining their winning ways and fixing enough holes for them to make a Super Bowl run. The Lions have an additional third-rounder courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings, who hold their fourth-round pick in exchange.
- Round 1, Pick 29: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick 61: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
- Round 3, Pick 73: Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College
- Round 3, Pick 92: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
- Round 5, Pick 162: Brenden Rice, WR, USC
- Round 6, Pick 206: Ethan Driskell, OT, Marshall
- Round 7, Pick 246: Lideatrick Griffin, WR, Mississippi State
Detroit Lions 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 29: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
The Lions need a pass rusher to emerge full-time opposite of Hutchinson. James Houston has shown flashes but likely isn’t an every-down answer. If the Lions are going to play a ton of man coverage again, their pass rush simply has to improve.
Chris Braswell is a freak athlete, placing high on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List with his explosiveness, and boasts excellent technique, physicality, and power in his game. I have compared him to Everson Griffen, and he should be drafted pretty quickly.
Round 2, Pick 61: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
The Lions have Emmanuel Moseley and Kindle Vildor set to hit free agency, and no real playmakers have stepped up at cornerback. Jerry Jacobs is tied for the third-most touchdowns allowed in the NFL, while Cameron Sutton has given up the second-most yards in the league. Detroit can’t build a successful defense with this cornerback room.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. plays with the competitiveness that has embodied the Detroit Lions under Dan Campbell. His physicality and ability in press-man makes him an excellent fit with the Lions’ defensive scheme.
Round 3, Pick 73: Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College
Jonah Jackson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and Graham Glasgow are all set to hit free agency, leaving a 2,000-snap hole up front.
While the Lions could certainly opt to try to bring at least one back, Glasgow and Vaitai are both over 31, meaning they would likely just be short-term solutions upfront. Detroit is usually pretty proactive, so I’d expect the Lions to build their guard spots for the future.
Watching Christian Mahogany play football is like watching a CAT bulldozer equipped with NOS go to work. He brings such jaw-dropping power to his game but is a fantastic athlete at 330 pounds. His play style and mentality simply scream Detroit Lion.
Round 3, Pick 92: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
Leaving nothing to chance, the Lions opt to take another cornerback here to give that unit a splash of playmaking.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Cam Hart is a long, smooth mover at the corner who can start right away outside. He is a perfect fit for the Lions’ man-heavy defense.
Round 5, Pick 162: Brenden Rice, WR, USC
We’ll see what happens with Josh Reynolds, who is set to be a free agent. The Lions should continue to build out their wide receiver room, regardless of whether Reynolds is retained or not.
The son of Jerry Rice, Brenden Rice is an athletic receiver who can be an excellent vertical and red-zone threat.
His 6’3 frame is backed up with athletic testing that landed him on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List with a 38′ vertical. The Lions love prospects who test well in the explosives, and Rice fits the bill and gives them a talented “X”-style receiver.
Round 6, Pick 206: Ethan Driskell, OT, Marshall
Both of Detroit’s swing tackles, Matt Nelson and Dan Skipper, are set to hit free agency, and Detroit likely spends elsewhere.
Ethan Driskell has plenty of traits worth banking on as a developmental swing tackle, boasting good athleticism, length, and power in his frame.
Round 7, Pick 246: Lideatrick Griffin, WR, Mississippi State
Much like cornerback, I’m opting to double-dip into boosting the wide receiver room in this mock draft. Detroit needs another boost of speed outside of Jameson Williams.
Lideatrick Griffin has truly game-breaking speed and is a weapon with the ball in his hands. His best trait might be as a returner, as he has been one of the best in the country the last two seasons. Adding more explosiveness to this Lions’ offense and special teams units isn’t a bad option from where I’m standing.
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