Pride of Detroit
A look at the Detroit Lions’ top 10 needs entering the 2024 NFL Draft:
The Detroit Lions are heading into the 2024 NFL Draft without even one pressing need. In fact, there’s a very, very good chance that whoever the Lions take with the 29th overall pick (or wherever their first pick eventually lands) will not be a day one starter. Things are that good in Detroit right now.
But the NFL Draft is not just for taking care of your current year’s roster. The impact of a single draft class can last several seasons, or even decades if you know what you’re doing.
And while Lions general manager Brad Holmes will not be targeting any specific positions in this year’s draft, there are some both short and long-term needs Detroit can address in this year’s draft. Some “needs” just represent areas where they could use an upgrade in talent, others are literal holes on the roster with no competition.
Here’s a look at the Lions’ top 10 needs, ranked in order of urgency.
The Lions are only three deep at the safety position, and while free agency still has some strong options to consider, don’t be surprised if Detroit adds a safety sometime during draft season, perhaps one who could even challenge for a starting job. Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph have shown great potential, but both still have significant questions to answer about their game.
Of any position, the best argument for an opening starting job is at wide receiver. Detroit’s top three are Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Detroit could stand to upgrade the top-end talent, but their depth is actually decent with the likes of Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy, Maurice Alexander, and Antoine Green rounding out the room.
Holmes has said that he likes the cornerback room, meaning he feels comfortable with the likes of Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson, and Emmanuel Moseley battling out for the two starting positions. But again, Detroit could stand to upgrade the top-end talent—more importantly, solidifying the position long term. None of those three are currently signed beyond 2025. The Lions are in an okay spot with depth, having re-signed Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey.
Detroit is set for starters in 2024, re-signing Graham Glasgow and inking Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal. However, those are Band-Aid solutions to a long-term problem. Detroit needs to get younger and cheaper on the offensive line, so grabbing a guard early on makes plenty of sense, even if they wouldn’t start right away. Of course, this also depends on their current opinion of Colby Sorsdal, who could have long-term starting potential.
Again, the Lions are in a good—maybe even great—spot for 2024. DJ Reader and Alim McNeill could be an elite duo. Detroit also has Brodric Martin developing in the wings, but there isn’t much beyond that, and adding a defensive tackle gives the...
