A look at the Detroit Lions’ top ten needs for the 2024 NFL Draft:
The Detroit Lions are going into the 2024 NFL Draft with no immediate need. In fact, there’s a very decent probability that whoever the Lions select with the 29th overall pick (or wherever their first pick ultimately ends up) will not be a day one starter. Things are so good in Detroit right now.
However, the NFL Draft is more than merely selecting players for the current season. A single draft class can have a long-term impact, lasting multiple seasons or even decades if done well.
While Lions general manager Brad Holmes will not target any specific positions in this year’s draft, Detroit will be able to address some short- and long-term needs. Some “needs” simply signify areas where they could benefit from an upgrade in talent, while others are real gaps on the roster with no competition.
Here are the Lions’ top ten needs, listed by urgency.
1. Safety.
The Lions are only three deep at safety, and while free agency still has some excellent alternatives to consider, don’t be surprised if Detroit adds a safety during draft season, possibly one who can compete for a starting job. Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph have shown remarkable promise, but both still have many doubts about their game.
2. Wide Receiver.
The best case for an open starting job is at wide receiver. Detroit’s top three players are Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Detroit could need more top-tier talent, but their depth is decent, with Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy, Maurice Alexander, and Antoine Green rounding out the roster.
3. Cornerback
Holmes has stated that he enjoys the cornerback room, which means he is at ease with players such as Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson, and Emmanuel Moseley competing for the two starting jobs. However, Detroit might benefit by upgrading its top-tier personnel and, more crucially, securing its place in the long run. None of the three are currently signed after 2025. With the re-signings of Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey, the Lions have adequate depth.
4. Guard.
Detroit has secured starters for 2024, re-signing Graham Glasgow and signing Kevin Zeitler to a one-year agreement. However, these are band-aid solutions to a long-term issue. Detroit has to get younger and cheaper on the offensive line, so acquiring a guard early on makes a lot of sense, even if he won’t start right away. Of course, this is also contingent on their present assessment of Colby Sorsdal, who may have long-term starting potential.
5. Defensive Tackle
Again, the Lions are in a good—possibly great—position for 2024. DJ Reader and Alim McNeill might become an outstanding duo. Detroit also has Brodric Martin developing in the wings, but there’s not much else, and acquiring a defensive lineman gives the Lions a better plan for the future. It’s difficult to imagine Reader playing for Detroit beyond his two-year contract, and having insurance in case McNeill negotiations stall would be prudent.
6. Offensive Tackle
The Lions are currently set with starters Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, just as they are at guard. Decker, however, is in a contract year, and Detroit’s offensive tackle depth is nonexistent, with the exception of Dan Skipper. Don’t be surprised if the Lions select someone with tackle/guard versatility.
7. Edge defenders: Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, Marcus Davenport, Houston, and Mathieu Betts are potential candidates for the 2024 season. However, Cominsky and Davenport could leave after 2024, and the fate of the rest of the squad is still unknown. I could see the Lions spending early or not at all in EDGE this round.
8. Kicker While Michael Badgley is expected to retain his starting position, Holmes has stated that the Lions intend to add competition. We’ll have to wait and see if that’s a late draft pick, an undrafted guy, or a UFL phenom.
9. Nickel Depth
If Brian Branch is going to play more safety this season, the Lions will need to figure out what to do at nickel during those reps. Robertson has some versatility there, but Detroit would be wise to invest in someone who can fill that job long term. That, I feel, puts someone like Michigan’s Mike Sainristil in a strong position in this draft.
10. Special teams linebacker.
While the Lions already have their best five linebackers (Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin), they prefer to have six on the roster. And the Lions have lost two linebackers in the last year who were both current and future special teams players: Anthony Pittman and Trevor Nowaske.
Those may not appear to be huge losses, but Lions linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard has not overlooked them, as he recently shared a conversation he had with Reeves-Maybin about increasing competitiveness.
“(Reeves-Maybin) believes he is a part-time player and part-time general manager. So he’s already been upstairs, and as he walks through the cafeteria—because he’s been rehabbing—he says, ‘Hey, have we seen any linebackers to replace Pitt(man) and Nowaske?'” Sheppard spoke. “I answered, ‘Don’t worry. I will bring you competition soon.”
Don’t be surprised if the Lions select a linebacker late in the draft or prioritize it among their undrafted prospects.
