Which Draft Pick Do The Detroit Lions Have In The 2024 NFL Draft?

January 30, 2024

Where are the Detroit Lions picking in the 2024 NFL Draft? Do the Detroit Lions have a top-10 pick? Read the 2024 NFL Draft outlook.

The Detroit Lions' dream season is over in the most gut-wrenching way. After being two wins away from glory and one win away from their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, the Lions blew a 24-7 lead on the road and lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship by a score of 34-31.

Despite not getting the result they hoped for, 2023 was a very good season for the Lions, and they should be able to build on this if they make the right moves this offseason. With highly regarded offensive coordinator Ben Johnson returning, the Lions will feel very good about their chances to be back next year.

What draft picks do the Lions have in the 2024 NFL Draft? Who could they target in the first round? Let's find out.

What Draft Picks Do The Detroit Lions Own?

Finishing 12-5 and being eliminated in the NFC Championship Game, the Lions end up with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The NFL Draft takes place in Detroit from April 25-27, where fans can rekindle interest for another big run next year.

The Lions have seven picks in total in the 2024 draft. After the first round, they have one second-round pick (No. 61 overall), two third-round picks (No. 73 overall from Minnesota and No. 92 overall), a fifth-round pick (No. 162 overall), a sixth-round pick (No. 206 overall), and a seventh-round pick (No. 246 overall).

Last year's trade sent tight end T.J. Hockenson and their fourth-round pick from this upcoming draft to Minnesota in exchange for the Vikings' third-round pick in 2024. Other than that, the Lions have all of their own picks and will select near the end of each round.

Who Could The Detroit Lions Draft In The First Round?

The Lions' run defense was ranked number one in the NFL, but they were just 16th against the pass, which became evident in every playoff game. Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco all found success through the air against them, exposing their weak secondary and an average-at-best pass rush.

Rookie Brian Branch had a very solid season, but he was utilized almost exclusively in the slot or in the box, while the team's outside corners struggled immensely. Both Kindle Vildor and Cam Sutton ranked in the 100s out of 127 cornerbacks in PFF grade, and this team has little chance of winning it all with that level of talent at one of the league's premier positions.

Considering this, Kamari Lassiter out of Georgia would be a perfect fit if he falls to 29. Lassiter played almost exclusively on the outside and was graded as one of the best man coverage corners in 2023. In the event Lassiter doesn't make it to 29, Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo or Ennis Rakestraw Jr. from Missouri would be solid picks.

Rakestraw's fit with current defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn isn't great, as the Lions played heavy man coverage this year, and Rakestraw struggled immensely in man coverage. If they don't like any cornerbacks available, Byron Murphy II from Texas or Leonard Taylor III could be interesting names to consider to help the interior lineman depth outside of Alim McNeill.

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