As most Michiganders know, Detroit was host for the 2024 NFL Draft. Three years in the planning, it couldn’t have happened at a better time – on the heels of the best Lions season ever (arguably so). We attended two of the three days, and let me tell you, Detroit was ALIVE! The energy and excitement was palpable. On day one, we stood for over six hours in the middle of a sea of Lions fans (and a few not), anxiously awaiting our first round draft pick. When DC and Brad Holmes traded up to secure our guy, the crowd erupted. It erupted even louder when Terrion Arnold’s name was announced and his name and likeness filled the screen. We welcomed Terrion to the stage in Detroit fashion: chanting his name letting him know that he was home. Following is a draft day overview of our top picks. The following overview is written by Taran Damalcheruvu. Photos are courtesy of the Detroit Lions Roster and the NFL.
In the landscape of the NFL, the draft is the engine that drives contenders. The prospect of acquiring young impactful talent that can make or break a franchise. To the Detroit Lions in particular, the three previous drafts under General Manager Brad Holmes have resulted in a Detroit team that came within 15 minutes of a Super Bowl after a 3-13-1 just two seasons prior. The Holmes draft style – putting character and potential over positional need and immediate impact – is unorthodox when taking into account the wider NFL landscape. The result is a culture unlike any other in the NFL, and a team of men that are going to be THE team to beat for years to come.
WE BELIEVE!
Round 1: Pick 24
Terrion Arnold
Cornerback, Alabama
108 total tackles, 20 passes defended, 1 sack, 6 interceptions, and a forced fumble in 25 starts for SEC powerhouse Alabama tell the story of a productive CB1. Born in 2003 in Tallahassee, Florida, Terrion is a young athletic Corner with full confidence in himself. While some may claim this is the behavior of a cocky young gun, Terrion carries a demeanor that makes claims of being Detroit’s Deion Sanders feel believable. He isn’t the type to let talent cary him, he will scratch and claw forward with every snap.
Round 2: Pick 6
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Cornerbakc, Missouri
107 total tackles, 24 passes defended, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles in 35 games for Missouri. Rakestraw is a violent cornerback that almost plays the position like a linebacker. No breakneck speed but a willingness to demolish somebody in teh open field like a man possessed by the spirit of Brian Dawkins. He brings an Amon Ra-esque mindset to the CB room as he clearly viewed himself as much more valuable than the 61st overall pick.
Round 4: Pick 126
Giovanni Manu
OT, British Columbia
In 212 passing snaps, Manu allowed 5 pressures and 2 sacks albeit in an amateur league. An athletic phenom at 6’8″ and 352 pounds and a sub 5.0 40 time, he has the potential to be on the same level as 5th overall draft pick, Joe Alt, with the right coaching.
Round 4: Pick 132
Sione Vaki
RB/S, Utah
51 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, 317 yards rushing, 203 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns cap a whirlwind of a stat sheet. Vaki was drafted as a running back by a team with arguably the best duo in the league with Gibbs and Montgomery and a solid 3rd ooption in Craig Reynolds. Vaki will likely become a core special teamer. Along with pro-bowler Jalen Reaves-Maybin this could make for an exciting special teams squad.
Round 6: Pick 189
Mekhi Wingo
DT, LSU
99 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks in 22 games. Wingo is an excellent undersized pass rushing defensive tackle that fell in the draft primarily because of a groin injury that sidelined him during the ’23 season. In a showcase of the gritty character that the Lions are looking for, Wingo fought back to health and started in LSU’s bowl game. A good addition to a slightly ailing D-line.
Round 6: Pick 210
Christian Mahagony
G, Boston College
In his entire college career, Mahogany only allowed 1 sack, 2 QB hits and 11 pressures on 752 pass blocking snaps. To pick up this kind of talent in the last 60 picks is genuinely incredible and a testament to the Lions front office. Injury concerns or not, Mahogany adds potentially elite depth to what is already the best offensive line in the NFL.
2024 Detroit Lions Season Schedule
- September 8 Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit
- September 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit
- September 22 @ Arizona Cardinals
- September 30 Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit
- Bye Week
- October 13 @ Dallas Cowboys
- October 20 @ Minnesota vikings
- October 27 Tennessee Titans @ Detroit
- November 3 @ Green Bay Packers
- November 10 @ Houston Texans
- November 17 Jacksonville Jaguars @ Detroit
- November 24 @ Indianapolis Colts
- November 28 Chicago Bears @ Detroit
- December 5 Green Bay Packers @ Detroit
- December 15 Buffalo Bills @ Detroit
- December 22 @ Chicago Bears
- December 30 @ San Francisco 49ers
- January 4/5 Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit