Being a Detroit Lions fan is enjoyable right now. In addition to having one of the best seasons in team history, the squad hosted the NFL Draft just after. Detroit’s situation is improving, but the team is still far from ideal.
The Lions had a dire need at cornerback going into the offseason. The poorest position group on the squad and possibly the entire NFL was Detroit’s secondary. With Cameron Sutton and Kindle Vildor as their starting outside cornerbacks, the Lions cruised into the NFC Championship. After Cameron Sutton was cut earlier in the offseason, a total overhaul of the cornerback room was required. GM Brad Holmes addressed the position during free agency without any delay. The team signed Amik Robertson after he was cut by the Raiders and traded for Carlton Davis III from Tampa Bay. Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. were the next two players they selected with their first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It’s difficult to argue against Detroit’s first two draft selections because they addressed a vital need for the franchise. Some of Detroit’s mid-round selections, meanwhile, are more dubious. These are the Detroit Lions’ three draft errors from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Was it too much for the Lions to pay to acquire Terrion Arnold via trade?
Terrion Arnold was chosen by the Lions with pick 24 after they moved up from 29th overall. The cost of trading up five choices and the players who were still available at the time make up a large portion of the issue with this decision.
In order to get Arnold, Detroit had to surrender a third-round pick (73rd overall). Quinyon Mitchell was the only cornerback off the board at the moment. It looked like at 29, someone would fall into their lap, regardless of Detroit’s best cornerback.
Before Detroit reopened the clock at number 61, the following cornerbacks were available at selection 29 were selected: Mike Sainristil, Cooper DeJean, Kamari Lassiter, Max Melton, and Nate Wiggins. At 29, Wiggins, McKinstry, or DeJean would have been great choices.
It is difficult to compare trade scenarios in their entirety until after a few seasons have gone by. But if Detroit hadn’t chosen to move up, we may examine who would have been available in the third round. At number 73, the Cowboys selected Cooper Beebe, a selection that would have been well-received in Detroit. Christian Haynes, a different guard who went to Seattle at age 81, might have also been the selection. Bralen Trice and Jonah Elliss were both available if the Lions needed an edge rusher.
Ultimately, the third-round pick won’t matter if Arnold succeeds in Detroit as a CB1.
Giovanni Manu is a costly project selection.
Manu is an intriguing tackle prospect with a remarkable build and a lot of potential. He did, however, attend the University of British Columbia to play collegiate football in Canada. Manu’s transition from Canadian college football to the NFL will provide a significant challenge. He will start off as, at most, a rotational role player. It’s very likely that he sits out his rookie season, just getting used to the NFL.
All of this is well and good, but the Lions lost out on a potential third-round pick in the process. Even for those who can accept taking a chance on an overseas talent in the latter rounds of the selection, this is a topic of contention.
Expectations will be high, but Manu doesn’t have to perform like Jordan Mailata for this to be a fantastic pick.
It is a decision to draft Sione Vaki to be a running back.
Vaki is yet another intriguing possibility. In college, he mostly played safety but also saw limited action at running back. Vaki was selected by Detroit in the fourth round and was identified as a running back when the selection was made public. Since then, the Lions have reaffirmed their intention to coach Vaki as a running back and assess his potential at that position.
Vaki has the ability to play all three phases for Detroit, making contributions on special teams, offense, and defense. Though that seems good, it is reasonable to wonder what kind of play he will deliver in each phase. It is optimistic to anticipate anything from the player outside of special teams because he is a position conversion.
On the third day of the draft, Brad Holmes appeared to be feeling very confident based on his interactions with Manu and Vaki.
Observing Vaki and Manu during their rookie seasons will be intriguing.
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