We are just 66 days away from the 2024 NFL Draft and Lions fans for once will have a long wait for their first pick.
As of right now, they are set to be the 29th overall pick in the draft. Even picking that late, this draft is set up for them to get someone very talented. It is a very deep draft class at various positions that are needed for the Lions. They could get a starter despite picking that late in the round, whether it is the interior offensive line, defensive back, or defensive line.
With there being so many Mondays between now and the NFL draft, it’s important to run through different outcomes the Lions could have. In this one, the situation being run is the Lions getting aggressive in the draft and trading up for a player they want.
This team was just in the NFC Championship, they are close, one player could make all the difference.
Round One, Pick 16
Trade Up: Lions send the 29th overall pick, the 73rd overall pick, and a 2025 Third Round Pick to the Seahawks for the 16th overall pick and the 151st overall pick.
Selection: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
The secondary for the Lions needs drastic attention this offseason. The cornerback free agent class is littered with veterans, but no one to cut off a team’s top receiver; that is where McKinstry comes in. He has the size, instincts, and technique to be a team’s top corner, but he also won’t make it to pick 29 most likely. The team could’ve drafted Christian Gonzalez last year and didn’t, they can’t miss out again. It seems aggressive because it is but when a team is this close like the Lions it’s a necessary move.
Round Two, Pick 61
Selection: Christian Haynes, Interior Offensive Line, Connecticut
The best pick of the draft due to the long-term planning that comes with it. Haynes played guard at Connecticut but at the Senior Bowl this year they also tried him out as a center. He could be an immediate starter at guard but could plug into center if Frank Ragnow decides to retire over the next year or two.
Round Three, Pick 92
Selection: Sione Vaki, Safety, Utah
The uber athlete that is Sione Vaki falls to the Lions here as they get a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball. This past fall he showed a knack for finding the ball while also having the ball carrier vision to make plays with it. He played double duty at Utah as both a safety and running back, with Detroit he could just be a solid safety with great instincts.
Fifth Round, Pick 151
Selection: Zak Zinter, Guard, Michigan
The Lions addressed the interior offensive line earlier with the Haynes pick but they double down here with Zinter. The Michigan captain stays in the state and could be a plug-and-play pick for them if his injured leg is fully healed.
Round Five, Pick 163
Selection: Luke McCaffrey, Wide Receiver, Rice
Coming in at nearly 6’2″ and 202 pounds, Luke McCaffrey is the ultimate draft and develop type of receiver teams like betting on. He could fill the role of Joshua Reynolds within the offense while also being a serviceable weapon within the redzone.
Round Six, Pick 207
Selection: Johnny Dixon, Cornerback, Penn State
The Nittany Lion pass defense was one of it’s strengths in recent years. Kalen King led the way but Johnny Dixon was a great compliment to him. Dixon plays big and has shown he has no problem taking on tougher assignments. He will take some development but this secondary could use him as he does with different assignments.
Round Seven, Pick 247
Selection: Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Edge Rusher, Washington
Potentially the most impactful or best bet of a player on day three of the draft will be Tupuola-Fetui. The Washington edge rusher is coming off a college career that saw him be both impactful and injured for a significant amount of time. Medicals will push him down the draft which makes him a great value for someone. As for his fit on the Lions, he could be a rotational pass rusher for now but with a clean bill of health could be a full-time, serviceable piece of the defense.
