The Detroit Lions are Super Bowl contenders in the NFC. Head coach Dan Campbell has installed a culture in the organization that has created winners on the field, as Detroit won the NFC North for the first time in franchise history (the franchise's first division title since 1993) and snapped a 32-year drought without a playoff victory.
Detroit had a halftime lead in the NFC Championship, still searching for its first Super Bowl appearance and its first championship since 1957. With a core of Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions have a group of players who can make deep postseason runs for years.
The Lions were unconventional in last year's draft in getting the talent they need from becoming a winner to Super Bowl contender. How will Detroit take the next step and build its roster to get to the Super Bowl in 2024? Let's take a look in this team-oriented mock draft.
There will be no trades executed here, just picks from the projected slot via a mock draft simulator.
Team needs: T, C, CB, WR, EDGE
2024 NFL Draft picks
- Round 1: Pick 29
- Round 2: Pick 61
- Round 3: Pick 73 (from Vikings)
- Round 5: Pick 164
- Round 6: Pick 201 (from Buccaneers)
- Round 6: Pick 205
- Round 7: Pick 249
Lions seven-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 29
Unconventional for the Lions to go center here, especially with Frank Ragnow coming off an All-Pro season. Playing center has taken its toll on Ragnow, so the Lions will look to the future in Powers-Johnson to learn under Ragnow. Detroit looks for Day 1 starters and Powers-Johnson is one, but he may be cross-trained at guard.
| |||||||
Round 2, Pick 61
The Lions get their field stretcher to complement St. Brown with Wilson, adding another dynamic to an already potent offense. Wilson isn't a great route runner, but the Lions will depend on him for big plays anyway. Taking pressure off St. Brown will be massive.
| |||||||
From
Minnesota Vikings
Round 3, Pick 73
The Lions double dip on Michigan players with Jenkins, son of four-time Pro Bowler Kris Jenkins. A defensive tackle with a high motor, Jenkins will help out Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader on the interior, aiding Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport on the edge. A good depth piece on a solid defensive line.
| |||||||
Round 5, Pick 164
The slow-footed Rosengarten is a developmental piece, giving the Lions some depth at tackle. He has starter potential down the road and is a very good run blocker.
| |||||||
From
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 6, Pick 201
Prickett has the size to handle wideouts on the outside, with the ability to handle press coverage. This is later than the Lions would like to go cornerback, but they benefit with Pritchett dropping to Round 6. Prickett has speed, but he's a backup in Year 1.
| |||||||
Round 6, Pick 205
The Lions get a good special teamer in Wallace, who has incredible athleticism -- even though he needs work on football instincts. He can chase any runner down, but lacks the vision to make plays consistently.
| |||||||
Round 7, Pick 249
A good one-speed rusher that can fit into a rotation in Detroit, Thomas would thrive in a 3-4 defense. The Lions get a good piece to their pass rush this late in the draft, similar to how they found James Houston.
|
