The hypothetical rearranged order of R1 Arnold, R2 Rakestraw, R3 Mahogany, R5 Wingo, R6 Vaki and R7 Manu reads like a prototypical 2024 Lions online mock draft. Focus on CB, get OL bolstering, and then fill in depth cracks.
Except nobody would expect wed get to land Arnold.
I was ready to settle on Kool Aid or Rakestraw in the first it's crazy how Arnold fell to 24
I still cannot believe we got Arnold AND Rakestraw I cannot wait to see our new look secondary
Secondary went from being a glaring hole to having maybe the most competition of any position in an off-season
Amen.... A+ men ..... eman-em.... anyway you arrange it folks our prayers have been answered and Brad Holmes rocks
I love this. Take your weakness and turn it into a strength. Couldn't ask for more.
Huge fan here too. It’s how I live my life these days tbh
i see that, and dark horse than mosely will be strong
If you told me that we'd get Terrion Arnold in the 1st Round, I would have assumed we had to trade up to the teens.
Our Run Defense is so good that we were VERY good at getting opposing teams into 3rd and Longs... and our secondary was so catastrophically bad that we allowed a distressing number of 3rd and Long Conversions. If our revamped secondary cuts the number of 3rd and Long Conversions down, that's all I need to see.
The one area our run defense needs to improve upon is containing a running QB. All three division rivals could make this tough if we don’t figure it out.
The third and longs werent just on the players. AG has some major schematic issues he needs to fix this year.
You are right! CTE Sutton and Balls to the Face Vildor have nothing to do with our historically bad secondary.
And we got rakestraw anyway
Yeah funny enough I was playing games and watching the draft with friends and no joke 4 picks before we picked Manu one of my friends asked who I hope the lions would take in the 6th and I said "I've seen stuff about Manu dude is an absolute monster" hell, idgaf if it's 4th or 6th I love that pick dude looks like he'd develop into a beast
At this point this feels kinda like how Brad drafts, not sure how he does it but I'm impressed. Similar situation to last year; if you swapped our first 4 picks around (Branch #12, Gibbs #18, Campbell #34, LaPorta #45) not a soul would've been angry at the time of
Not really true, though it’s probably more palatable that way. People would’ve been furious that the Lions took a safety in the top-15 and a non-Bijan RB in the first-round at all still.
A 6’8 350 OT who runs a 4.92 and has a 33.5 inch vert who looks like he doesn’t have much fat would NOT have been there round 6. Vaki maybe but I don’t think so either he fills too many roles in one player even if he’s a depth guy. So I get what you are saying value wise but Brad got the guys round 6 for a reason they were available lol
Overall I'm reasonably happy. Fewer & Later picks than we usually have but we focused on an area of need (secondary) & picked up some interesting project players.
I can’t lie brother all I see are 6 immediate impact players joining the team.
I'm sorry, but a Canadian university lineman is not going to have an immediate impact in the NFL. He's a project and it'll take a couple of years to see him bear fruit. I'm Canadian and I really want him to succeed, so don't think I'm knocking the player at all.
Even Brad said as much in his press conference today. He said he views him the same as Broderic Martin where they did not draft him because of the player he is now, and that he will be a down the line project.
He will be an excellent replacement for Decker in a few years
I'd think of him more as an eventual Dan Skipper replacement and backup swing tackle. If he ends up more than that, great, but he's like three years away from that.
They’re doing their version of the Jordan Mailata project. Take a giant athletic freak without much experience and have him learn behind some of the best tackles in the league and your top end lineman coach. Worked out beautifully for the Eagles and Manu is much further ahead than Mailata was.
I think he’ll start off as a Skipper type player but I have to imagine their goal is to have this guy be the Decker replacement after a couple years learning from him and Hank Fraley.
If he ends up being 80% as good as mailata that will be one of the biggest steals in the draft.
Yeah obviously a lot has to go right but this is the absolute best situation for him to come into. He gets to learn behind the best tackle duo in the NFL and arguably the best offensive line coach in the league.
I think that's the hope. Be a while before he can play NFL football other than as a tackle eligible, though. Skipper on the other side of that line would be unfair.
For sure, it will be a multiyear project and there’s a chance a year from now he’s not making progress and we need to pivot away. I was more backing up the initial guy who got downvoted as I think he is 100% correct. They drafted this guy to be the Decker replacement and are using what Philly did as the model.
If he doesn't work out, that was a steep price we paid for him. Two picks, basically.
I was just gonna say Skip is safe for 2 years
At least a couple. We could have a monster when he's done, though.
It's okay, many of us have blue kool-aid coursing through our veins so we need a realist like you to snap us out of our trance. lol
Wait, you mean a day 3 international player isn't an immediate superstar? I dunno, sounds pretty nuts to me.
I kind of expect to see him in some jumbo package super-specialty plays this year. Dude's an absolutely absurd specimen of humanity.
Maybe but I'd be really surprised. Maybe if the games are totally out of reach or something, but I cannot stress enough how low level Canadian university football really is. It's on par with mid-tier high school football.
And if a mid-tier highschool football lineman was 6'8 350 and ran a sub 5 40, i'd like to see him get at least 3-4 snaps a game regardless of scoring just to see if he plays up to the challenge, even if it's all specialty packages.
Wrong. Even the Canadian lineman will immediately be a monster on the goal line and in the run game. 6 future all pro’s by my count.
You say that now but wait until he reports as eligible four times a game starting after the bye 😂
The difference in competition between CIAU and NFL is astronomical. Most CIAU football players don't even make the CFL, let alone the NFL. And this guy has played only 38 games between 2019 and 2023, and the entire 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID. All of them were against Canadian universities under CFL rules and all of them on a fairly subpar UBC Thunderbirds team.
Not only is the competition light years more intense then what he's ever experienced before, he'll also have to adjust to the NFL neutral zone rules, which means his first game will be the first time he'll have a defensive lineman line up right in his face. CFL and CIAU use a one yard neutral zone and that makes the offensive lineman's job much easier.
He's never caught a pass in competitive play in his entire life and expecting him to lineup as an eligible lineman is crazy. Especially since the CFL ruleset he played under means no one ever does that. Ever. It's just pointless due to the 12 men on the field and it's always better to just put out a 5th receiver since that receiver can be in motion and in ANY DIRECTION before the snap. There's just no point to having an eligible down lineman in Canadian football rules. Hell, there are basically no tight ends at all in the CFL and CIAU, let alone eligible linemen formations.
There is a significant probability he'll never see the field next season and maybe even the following season as well.
He's verrrrry similar to the Brodric Martin pick last year. Personality fit with an elite physical profile, but so raw there should be no expectation for a few years.
The best part is he doesn't have to be this year. He gets to learn from two of the best OT in the league in year one. And then whatever happens with Decker next year happens.
I just wish we had gotten a Center to back up Ragnone.
I agree with you, hewon't make an immediate impact
I only see 4 that are going to get playing time.
Look drink the koolaid, but players fall into the late rounds for a reason. If even one of them ends up a starter in 3 years it would be a successful draft. Vaiki will be our kick returner so he will be impactful, but the other 3 being impact players this years is crazy talk.
It's all dawg up in this mug
We are apparently very sold on Jamo breaking out.
Always have been
🌎👨🚀🔫🧑🚀
Along with having DPJ fill the void left by Reynolds
Maybe a bigger role for Kalif or Antoine Greene.
That's what I'm saying. Lif goes into Jamo's old role and Greene is our new Lif.
How Kalif has been playing, I'm very okay with him and DPJ essentially sharing the WR3 role. I know this is purely headcannon, but I see Amon and Jamo being WR1a and 1b, LaPorta WR2, and Lif and DPJ in a WR3a and 3b. Greene taking the backend.
what has jamo done that makes you believe he will be a WR1?
Realistically, he's on his 3rd year with the team, 2nd longest tenured WR on the roster. I don't think he'll be the gadget player he's been.
He's gonna get 6+ touches a game, and I guarantee with how our offense switches up our lineup, there will be at least 3-5 games this year BJ will have Jamo as the main guy.
We'll look back and say, "Remember the Jamo game?" And everyone's gonna reply "What one? The Greenbay game, where he had 4 receptions for 4 TDs and made Jaire Alexander cry? Or the Vikings game where he outperformed JJ in U.S. Bank Stadium?" And then you're gonna reply "No! Duh I'm talking about the Superbowl we won where Jamo put the team on his back!"
I might of went a little crazy there, but seriously, like I seen someone say recently: we didn't draft a single WR. Our coaches know what they got.
but based on what? you are just going off a "feeling" not "he has had steadily increased production and had a breakout game of 7+ catches and 100+ yards!"
Hes been in the league for 2 years now, all he has ever done is have 1 splash play in a game and thats kind of it... I struggle to see why this sub still believes he is a WR1.
I believe he will be good and get better this year and hopefully start filling that WR2 role.... but he hasnt done anything yet that shows hes anywhere near the level of a St Brown, or ceedee lamb etc.
Yeah, honestly, it's not based on much other than what I said at the beginning of my response. Realistically, he's a bonified WR2. Who else on our roster can fill that role? I think he's poised for a breakout. Amon Ra is the WR1.
I'm basing this alot off the skill sets of both WR's. ARSB is a slot god, and Jamo can be a downfield hog. So that's to why I say I can see them being WR1a and 1b. Also, I'm basing this on how BJ runs our RB's. I see something similar able to work with the WR's.
If you watch the tape from last year on him, he was getting open a lot he just wasn't getting the looks. I think with another year of practice, he and Goff can get down the timing, and he might have a serious breakout year.
I was very please with his NFCCG performance. He made the impact we all hoped he would. I expect him to breakout for sure.
He was amazing. Feels like it’s get lost a little in the final score
Can you blame them? The guy works hard, is a great teammate and absolutely electric with the ball in his hands, and is a dawg when it's not.
Well they spent a 12th overall pick on him so... yeah.
Not necessarily. Brad just didn't want to force a WR pick if there wasnt a guy he wanted.
And their offense is quite frankly loaded with weapons already, a 3/4 receiver just isn't worth much to a team with so many weapons and a decent receiver room already.
They need to give him the ball more
Home run. Vaki is the one I understand the least, I love the rest of the picks.
Edit Vaki not Baki fucking autocorrect
So, with the way the new kickoffs will be. I think he's going to be a gadget special teams player like JRM.
They are building for all 3 phases of the game. So I think that pick is reflective of the special teams phase. My opinion at least
I see Vaki as a CJ Moore replacement with more upside. A guy who can be elite in all phases of ST and in a pinch can do a little more on D as a 4th safety and be a gadget 4th RB.
I also see him as a guy that cam play offense or defense in a pinch so he'd a guy that may free up a roster spot
Completed the answer ...... RB 5, safety 4, special teamer 1...
From what I’ve seen, better instincts would’ve put him near the top of the safety class. Hard to concentrate on the little nuances of the game at 1 position when you’re watching tape for 4 or 5 positions but I have no clue what I’m talking about either soo there’s that lol
No clue either but it makes sense though. How's he know which direction a RB favors if he's too busy studying the defense for his own carries
Yea like I have zero idea where they plan on putting him besides he’s probably gonna play a big part on special teams atleast early on, but they had him playing all over the damn place on defense and had him studying RB, Slot, and even ran him as a wildcat QB a handful of times. That alone will fuck with the instincts facet I feel. Like if the guy didn’t have an insane football IQ and intelligent af they’d have never played him all over like that. Giving him a designated role that he can pour it all into could easily be the one thing that unlocks the BOSS in him - one of the dumbest/most confident armchair GMs of all time
He could be the eventual Monty replacement. Dude looks like a bruiser and already has good running instincts even though he didn’t really get coached up as much as a traditional RB.
Once Monty’s contract is up, we’re looking at a 29 year old RB with 7 seasons in the league and over 200 carries every season. That’s a ton of mileage.
With the new return rules I expect him to be utilized a ton there.
Brad Holmes basically said exactly this in his press conference today. They think Vaki can be an impact special teams player this year and they also think he may be able to develop more as a RB based on performing relatively well with little prep last year. And they know he can play S too.
Incase you missed it; he also played Safety in college. Ideally he plays more of that for us & maybe punt returning on occasion?
In Brad's presser today he stated that the idea behind drafting Vaki is seeing how far he can improve with having the ball in his hands (i.e. at RB/returner). If we get injuries at safety he'll likely be moved there.
I really think the new kick return rules had a major factor in this. I think they really focusing on making that an impact play for us.
I think other teams are sleeping on this rule and they'll be clamouring for players like this in next year's draft.
From the safety standpoint it makes sense, it sounds like he’s projected most as a special teamer. Hopefully he does good.
The vaki pick I find the most interesting. I also understand it the least but he’s a DB/RB/WR. I get drafting special teamers but in the 4th? They’ve gotta view this kid as a starter at one of those roles? Heard they like him as a RB which makes a lot of sense, DMo is getting older and this could be the last year of his deal(they can cut him next year if they want) potential replacement? I donno?!? Or is he another Kerby Joseph?
I’m guessing seeing as how he was pretty decent at all of those, if they focus on one he will probably be exceptional
Holmes and Campbell know more than me, so I’ll just sit back and watch, see what he does.
I was a coach for 30 years. Players with versatility like Vaki make teams work over the course of a season.
Injuries happen. Teams that win championships manage to keep winning even when they are down players. The NFL has very restrictive roster rules, and a crazy number of injuries. Sometimes in the middle of a game, a team will suddenly have to play someone who has not practiced a position in a long time.
Vaki will be good at RB, Safety & Special teams. He flashed really good receiving skills. I bet he could play LB in a pinch. On top of all that, he's a GREAT culture guy.
Vaki will give the Lions a chance to win a game when we're down multiple players at a position when another team will lose that game because they don't have someone like that.
New kickoff return rules. Depth plus instant impact with the new kickoffs.
Vaki is our new kick returner, they are going to matter with the new rules.
He will be our kick returner for the new rules.
Like any draft it will live and die by the performance of the top players. The two 4th round picks will either elevate it to elite or drop it down a huge peg depending on how they go.
It will probably be extremely hard to evaluate until a few years out I feel like it could be one of those drafts where you suddenly realize the lower draft picks are all off the team or all starters/impact players a few years down the line
I don’t really follow college ball, so really I am reading into these guys profiles as they are picked. Ultimately I trust the front office above all else but I am loving this draft.
Obviously two dawgs at corner which was a huge need. I am almost certain we won’t be playing 3-4 ft off of receivers anymore considering Davis and Armstead as well.
Manu at OT with huge upside. He can sit and learn behind two of the most talented OTs in the league.
Vaki is the only one I was really scratching my head about, but after Brads presser I feel better about how they intend to use him.
Wingo and Mahogany in the 6th round are absolute steals.
This was a great draft imo.
Love them all, I do wish we would have had a rotational edge rusher drafted in the later rounds, but last year showed me I just need to sit back and watch how it unfolds
All tho Trey Hendrickson still available 👀
Wingo can rush inside and out.
Looks like all steals to me
Looks like 6 future hall of famers until proven otherwise
I like the attention paid to the secondary and OL. I did not like Rakesteaw as a 1st rounder, but I am pumped for him as a 2nd rounder. Mitchell was my preferred option at CB in the 1st, but im more than happy with Arnold. We should be able to bully the shit out of receivers at the line.
Mahogany is a fantastic pick. He should be our top interior reserve and step into a starting role next season at the latest, if not sometime this year. I dont know shit about Manu, but he's a mountain, and Hank Fraley has a fun new toy to play with, and I look forward to seeing what he becomes.
Wingo will hopefully be a nice backup for McNeil. Vaki should be an interesting special teamer at worst. I dont really know what to expect from him
For Manu, I really think he is going into the best possible situation. That’s an oline incubator over there. Couldn’t ask for a better place to develop
Would love to have hard knocks this year with some focus on him like they did with EZ. The most intriguing prospect we’ve had as far as ceiling.
Yeah I had the same thought. He has a fantastic coach to work with and a very steady presence in Decker, and the best fucking tackle in the god damn universe in Penei to learn from.
I said more about Vaki in a comment below, but he will be a great special teamer at worst. New kickoff rules has just increased the value of special teams. He will contribute strongly to all phases of special teams. That's not common.
This year is Brad's "Smartest guy in the room" draft. We've had three years in a row of consistent hit after consistent hit; If this draft only produces two full time roster players it will be upsetting but not crippling. But, if the team hits on either 4th rounder and gets consistent playtime out of at least two of the defensive players, it'll move Brad Holmes into historic legend status.
I think this draft is one that will have little immediate value outside of the first two rounds but is likely the one that will help decide how long the Lion’s window is open for.
The project picks from last year (Colby, Martin and Hooker) and the later round draft picks this year could be the players who keep the window open past the 3ish years it’s currently looking like.
I’m so fired up to see this defense with DJ Reader and the new secondary
In the early rounds, the Lions took surefire-playmakers - arguably the two very best corners the draft had to offer. These guys immediately compliment each others' play, too, with one shining in press-man coverage while the other shines in zone. Both are prolific tacklers with bad intentions. They hit to ruin receivers' days. They're also two of the stickiest guys off the line, and excel in disrupting routes and just making life as difficult as possible for opposing receivers. Tough, physical, explosive and relentless - that's what our coaches want our defense to be, and that's what these two dudes already are. They'll be even better once our coaches train them further.
In the mid and late rounds, the Lions took a combination of raw, freak athletic talent and versatile, relentlessly driven players. Manu is a player few people (myself included) had heard of prior to the draft, but he has the physical traits necessary to be molded into a star. At 6'8" and 352lbs, he still managed to run an explosive 40 and has a RAS of 8.8+. It's going to take time for him to learn the techniques he's going to need to deal with NFL veteran defenders, but if anyone can teach them, it'll be our offensive line coaches. Contrast Vaki, who already has enough technique and versatility to be a day-one special teams ace, and turn into a potent weapon on both offense and defense. Wingo is another one of those a-little-undersized-to-be-a-dtackle defensive tackles who could become an explosive interior pass rusher on obvious passing downs, and who has the technique and motor to be effective on running plays, too. LSU would occasionally line him up as a defensive end as well, so the Lions defensive line gets that much more powerful. Mahogany has starting potential on most teams, but he'll sit behind guys like Glasgow and Zeitler for awhile. He addresses a slight worry I had at an interior line with a still very raw Sorsdal and Awosika. He is a solid guard who fell due to injury - something Brad Holmes loves to take advantgage of.
All in all, it was a signature Brad Holmes draft, which makes me very excited for the final roster once he's done cooking. This roster has improved by leaps and bounds each time Brad simmers it during the offseason. I'm very, very excited to see what our new secondary is going to look like, and what guys like Gibbs and LaPorta will look like in year 2.
Great names
We going to the Superbowl
I'm a complete casual and haven't got a fucking clue, ask me again in 12 months 🤷♂️😂
I think our 6th round was pretty damn insane
No idea how Mahogany fell to 210. Guy should’ve been a 3rd rounder. Huge pick up at the end
Martin , Sorsdal, Manu, and Vaki all have very similar “out of left field” profiles and I look forward to Brad brining the recipients for at least a 2 or 3 of the 4.
What are we doing receiver wise? Is DPJ our 3rd option. Feel like we need a big tall receiver to go with St.Brown and Jamo
He is, but there are still free agents out there. Maybe bring DJ Chark back.
My thoughts? Brad Holmes. That’s it. Thanks for asking.
Our CBs bad. We get CBs. I'm happy
6 Dan Campbell guys. A++
Mind is still blown that we were able to get our first and last picks when we did. The amount of mock draft simulators I did of Arnold going stupid early and passing on Mahogany in the 3rd only for him to not be there in the 4th. We got both. I've heard alot of great things about the Utah Safety too.
An absolutely bookend banger.
First and second rounds were incredible. CBs fell so hard and that was our biggest need so we took advantage. Some mock drafts had us taking rakestraw… at 29.
The 6th round is really where I think Brad cooked the hardest. Both those dudes were projected top 100. If he can turn a 6th rounder into even a rotational depth piece that’s a huge W and he’s got two great potentials here.
I’m floored that the first two and the last two were available when they were. What a beautiful draft.
I really hoped we'd get a kicker somewhere along the way lol
We can just pick up Jake Bates! 😅
He did miss two FG's this weekend. Though its tough to be mad at missing a 58 and a 62 outdoors!
Lions just signed one and hopefully they can get the Michigan Panthers guy in too
University of British Columbia?
Probably the only Canadian from a Canadian school drafted this weekend
He is. It's always a big moment for CIAU football when one of their players gets picked in the NFL draft.
There's has been 75 Canadian football players drafted since 1966 ( not sure if this year was added)
There's gonna be some tough discussions come roster cut down.
Mahogany and wingo feel like steals that late
What I like best is that all the picks make sense. You see how Wingo is the backup to Alim. You see you Mahogany is a backup to Zeitler. You see how Vaki can backup all the secondary positions AND play both sides of special teams. Even the big tackle plays a project role. We need a tackle prospect who can be OT3 in a year.
Holy crap I keep forgetting we signed Zeitler.... I love our OL depth!
I judge draft classes based on how cool the names are, and the Lions did excellent this season. And now they've also signed a UDFA named Steele Chambers.
6 hall of famers
At least 6
Manu’s left and right sides will be inducted separately.
B+/A-
I really like it. BH went for positions of need, as well as planning for the future with the offensive line picks
Depth, this is a playoff team for years to come. After that it’s any given Sunday. This is a machine now. Redzone defense improved dramatically imo. We were 30th last season btw. Sure our corners run 4.5s but when it’s 20 yards to go it doesn’t matter how fast they are. Lots of fgs against this defense. Lions score 4 touchdowns this season it’s going to be hard to lose.
I love it. All positions of need imo.
I love the Draft class this year and the undrafted free agents we signed.. We're going to be a Juggernaut this season boys! Its gonna be beautiful!
Very disappointed. Only 2 cornerbacks? Why not 6?
TJ Tampa was right there!
I was hoping Stiggers would last until 205.
Is it because of Atlanta’s pick? If they go defense, do we get Arnold?
I think all of them must be pretty happy to land in Detroit. I can't remember the player Washington drafted but his face looked of dread and shame. Could possibly have misread him though not sure.
Christian mccaffreys younger brother
Forget the costs of the trades and flip the 4th with the 6th and this is one of the best drafts on paper that I can remember. Bangers all the way down.
I'm still trying to figure out a guy grading team drafts I saw that had his highest grade for the lions as a b+ and had a D in there, but graded the overall draft an A
this will be a mystery for me for the rest of my life
Probably because, like a lot of people here, they trust Brad Holmes to know something they don’t but still want to put their opinions on overall players out there
I’m from utah so seeing vaki go to the lions is crazy!
Filled needs. Got 4 CBs this off season.
Didn't have that many picks, but we filled position needs and from my understanding selected the best player that was available at that position in each round so I'm happy and trust Brad and the whole front office.
Top 5 corners, we got 2 of em ........ trenches got thick ....... and true Tommy Brookens utility special teamer. We are All In on Jamison Williams now. They gotta teach him to track long balls better. His drops are getting better....
My thoughts are we might have one or two actually start this year depending on how camp goes. And I’m good with that. Our roster is stacked enough that we are starting to hit the point where we are drafting for the future instead of draft now start now like we have for decades. It’s weird to see and get used to but I like it. Take those guys and let them develop a year or so and then we have a pipeline for talent and succession plans. I love this front office and coaching staff. I think if everyone can stay relatively healthy, it’s going to be a fun season
Me the rational minded person: Let Brad cook. What he’s done has earned my trust, and I’m just gonna enjoy the fruits of his labor in the fall.
Me the armchair GM: I would have liked to see a higher draft pick on the line of scrimmage on either side. Going back to back on corners is certainly a choice with the other positions to sure up, but they obviously like their guys.
Overall I’d give it a 6/10 for how much I, the obviously world’s smartest GM, am pumped about the secondary additions, but the rest of the picks seem to be heavily developmental guys. If they hit on 2/3 of those guys for reliable depth we’ll be real solid for the future. In Hank Fraley we trust.
Brad Holmes cooked
I am not sure how many make the team? 4 maybe.
Competition this year is going to be a lot different than past years.
I think this is missed a lot. They’ve got a roster of NFL talent finally, so when they draft in the later rounds, they’re going for high ceilings. It’s kinda like the mid-2000’s chargers. They’d draft guys knowing full well only the first rounder could even make the team.
I'm very happy with Picks 1&2.... the rest I'm not too familiar with so I can't really say. I feel like we could have done better than taking Gambles in the 4th. I know most players are gambles I just mean the one hasn't played NFL caliber players (sorry Canada) and the next while athletic swapped between RB and S.... so they very well could end up being amazing but most likely not next season... I would have preferred a better edge that high BUT AGAIN I don't know these guys and I would LOVE to be just terribly wrong lol and they are awesome! We got who we needed tho that's the important thing. Everything else is a learning position and a back up!
Great draft! I will say this years seemed quieter, if you all know what I mean. Maybe because we went a few rounds without picking
I could go for a kicker
!remindme 23 months
I will be messaging you in 1 year on 2026-03-28 09:29:54 UTC to remind you of this link
CLICK THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.
Parent commenter can delete this message to hide from others.
I watched TA interview and if he washes as Corner Back, he could easily become Detroit Lions spokesperson. The man is such a smooth talker....very charismatic, personable.
Little confused by 3/4 picks. Didn’t see the point in trading up, but it’s who they wanted.. happy with first 2. Wish we got a big athletic wideout
Thoughts on the complete 2024 draft class?
I would have liked a defensive lineman to help out Hutchinson but if there wasn't one available, then I have to trust Brad Holmes knows what's he's doing and considering the past drafts, it seems he does.
I thought it was a good draft personally. 4/6 players seemed like steals where the Lions got them (Arnold, Rakestraw, Wingo, Mahogany). The other two were reaches on paper but I can definitely see the potential that Campbell and Holmes were excited about with Manu and Vaki seems like a guy who can provide depth across a lot of positions and maybe grow into a bigger role. I also think we could factor Carlton Davis into the draft grade given Lions traded a 3rd round pick for him.
Plus the Lions really didn't hamper their future by trading up three times and nabbing Davis - they have a pick in every round next year except the 3rd. It's not a Minnesota situation.
Pumped for the class in general. Don't like the trades of next year's assets, though, especially for a couple of weird (by my uneducated opinion) picks. I hate the 'next year's pick is one round less valuable than this year's pick' math; I'm a fan for the long term, and giving up a round is bad long-term.
Nevertheless, Brad has earned the trust, so I'll belay that pinch point. Maybe Manu is the next Jordan Mailata, which would make this a steal even at a 3rd round price point.
Would've loved to get an edge rusher, but can't argue with trying to finally make this CB room a strength, and if the right guys weren't there then they weren't there.
Top two picks will both be big contributors this year. Vaki will likely be our kick returner and the other 3 are raw, but high upside physical prospects. If even one of them hit its a phenomenal draft.
Mekhi wingo and Mahogany were steals. First two picks at DB also huge
How did Mahogany fall so far? A couple moths ago he was being mocked in the 2nd round. Brad kind of addressed this in his presser, but it was kind of cryptic...
Kind of want a Vaki jersey. I’m already all in on him being my favorite player.
The thing about Brad's drafts is it never works out quite like I picture it could, but it always works out. Overall, I like the picks, but I'm assuming I'll be wrong about what makes this one a good draft when all is said and done.
The DBs are potentially game changing for your defense, IMO. And I look forward to seeing what Wingo does.
6 future HoFers
Love the Arnold pick. I think this pick alone is equal to the entire draft. I have most hope for the Manu pick turning out well, we'll see what the coaches are able to do with him. The rest of the field I have no opinion on and anxious to see what Brad cooked up.
You have a two corners who will immediately make an impact on our worst position group last year. You have your new kick returner and rotational piece in the secondary and then a bunch of developmental line players. For a team that was bad quarter away from the superbowl and want to maintain their success about a perfect draft.
The more and more I hear of Manu the more I like him
The steal of this draft is Mahogany in the 6th. He'll be a starter next year, just watch. Very savvy draft overall. The Lions blew away any lingering concerns about the secondary and made it a strength.
Best draft of the nfl, some other close ones and maybe it’s 1a 1B, but nobody outright did better than us holmes continues to master the draft
User deleted comment
1mo
Sione Vaki has a meh RAS score and he said he only met with the offense coaches when he came so he will be playing RB..... why? Honest question why do we need a 4th string RB???
i think this is more special teams related
That makes sense then, he said he'd be doing more with the offense but if he can do RB and S he will def be solid at Returning!
I’m about to nut
giving up a third for manu was not smart
Wish we would have taken a receiver over a running back but it was pretty great
wait til training camp cuts, we will snag an X WR
Love the Arnold pick.Still think we should’ve gotten an edge rusher with the second pick.
Like last year If you shuffle around the pick order a bit it looks completely normal with our 4/6 round picks. I’m happy with the haul. I trust the FO either way at this point