2024 Mock Draft Roundup 10.0: Final projections for Detroit Lions

If you’re not familiar with how the Detroit Lions roundup works, each week we collect data from the latest expert mock drafts published over the last seven days and compile them (with links to the original pieces) in one easy-to-access article. In addition to providing Lions fans with the names of prospects being paired with Detroit, we also provide commentary that points to trends, player fits, and overall team philosophy.

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The 2024 NFL Draft is just days away and analysts are working around the clock to get their final predictions out into the world. That lends itself to even more mock drafts than usual, even for this time of the year.

In this final installment of our mock draft roundup series, we looked at 46 mock drafts from the past week and noticed two continuing patterns. First, analysts continue to heavily project Detroit to take a prospect on the defensive side of the ball. And second, there still is no consensus on which prospect that may be.

Of the 46 mock drafts, analysts projected 17 different players to the Lions. Just five offensive players were projected to the Lions and by only 11 of the mock drafts. That leaves 12 defensive players being projected to Detroit over 35 mock drafts. Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry remains the most popular projection, as he was connected to the Lions 12 times this past week.

Let’s take one final look.

Wide receivers

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Source: Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports), Dan Pizzuta (33rd Team), Jared Dubin (CBS Sports), Joe Schad (Palm Beach Post)

“The Lions probably have more pressing needs than wide receiver, but the opportunity to pair Mitchell with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams is too intriguing to pass up. That would supercharge this offense even further.” — Dubin

Erik’s Thoughts:

At one point in the offseason, there were as many as five different wide receivers connected to the Lions—Mitchell, Brian Thomas, Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey, and Tony Franklin. But over the last two weeks, it’s only been Mitchell that has seen his name paired with Detroit.

On paper, Mitchell makes a ton of sense. He’s a natural replacement for Josh Reynolds, can fill the WR-X role the Lions have been missing. His size-speed combination is rare, his athleticism is top-notch, and he is still developing. The downside is that there have been more and more rumors surfacing of late, suggesting his character and drive may not be a fit for Detroit. Is that just smoke from teams looking for him to drop? Or are their legitimate concerns? We will likely find out on Day 1 of the draft.

Offensive linemen

Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon

Source: Austin Mock (The Athletic), Curt Popejoy (Draft Network)

“Dan Campbell’s offense isn’t going to slack at the offensive line, and Powers-Johnson is someone who can play center down the line but line up at guard in the meantime. The Lions have needs at both positions, so this is a great fit. Keeping the offense operating at a high level is paramount to their success this year. They can plan to build up the defense throughout the rest of the draft.” — Mock

Graham Barton, IOL, Duke

Source: Scott Smith (Buccaneers.com)

“The Lions signed the 34-year-old Kevin Zeitler, who has 182 games worth of wear on his tires, to play left guard after Johan Jackson left in free agency. If Barton makes it here, though, they may see him as an upgrade over and/or a not-too-distant replacement for Zeitler, who is on a one-year deal. Barton also has the ability to play center and might even be able to fill in at tackle if needed, since that was where he predominantly played at Duke.” — Smith

Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia

Source: Dane Brugler (The Athletic), Peter Schrager (NFL.com), Dave Birkett (Free Press)

“Frazier is a former state wrestling champion who’s nasty, versatile and hungry. This is a Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell prospect if there ever was one, with the West Virginia product oozing bulldog characteristics. If we learned anything from the Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell picks last year, it’s that the Lions draft guys they like, as opposed to dwelling on needs and perceived positional value.” — Schrager

Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut

Source: Ryan Pawloski (Steel Curtain)

“Detroit had a tremendous campaign last year, so they are trying to build off of that success. They are built with a tough and physical attitude in that organization. The Lions go with Christian Haynes. He is a guard, and it will allow him to slide into their starting lineup. They might be better off taking a center who can also play guard, but Haynes is a quality player being overlooked heading into the NFL Draft.” — Pawloski

Erik’s Thoughts:

Despite having a solid five starters in the fold, projections of an offensive lineman to Detroit have remained all offseason. Powers-Johnson and Barton are going to draw a lot of interest and could be off the board when the Lions pick, while drafting Haynes at No. 29 would be considered a reach by many—though he very much fits the Lions' profile.

But if there is a prospect that seems like the perfect candidate for the Lions, Zach Frazier is it. Every report on his toughness, background, and physicality screams Lions, the questions seem to center around value at No. 29. That being said, it’s worth pointing out the trio that are pairing him with the Lions this week: Dane Brugler (The Athletic), Peter Schrager (NFL.com), Dave Birkett (Free Press), are all pretty heavy hitters and very much connected to NFL teams — Lions fans need to be paying attention here.

Defensive tackle

Byron Murphy, DT, Texas

Source: Tori McElhaney (AtlantaFalcons.com)

“Take one of the following players in this order: Byron Murphy, Terrion Arnold, Chop Robinson, Johnny Newton, Adonai Mitchell, Nate Wiggins, Darius Robinson.” - David Bassity, Atlanta Falcons Vice President of Football Communications (told me)” — McElhaney

Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

Source: Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports), Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network)

“Newton continues what has been a youth movement in recent drafts for the Lions along their defense line.” — Sullivan

Erik’s Thoughts:

While the volume of projections doesn’t reside here, defensive tackle depth/insurance remains a need for the Lions and both Murphy and Newton would be considered value picks at No. 29. If either is on the board when the Lions are on the clock, they’ll surely get heavy consideration.

Edge Rusher

Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Source: Tyler Forness (The Sporting News)

“Is there a better fit than Verse’s power game with Dan Campbell’s lunch pail and grit style? He likely doesn’t slide down this far, but you never know.” — Forness

Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Source: Matt Verderame (Sports Illustrated)

“Detroit already has Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill up front, and adding Latu would give the Lions one of the premier defensive lines in the NFL. With the Bruins, Latu registered 13 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in 2023.” — Verderame

Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Source: Connor Rogers (NBC Sports), Ryan Fowler (The Draft Network), Marcus Mosher (33rd Team), Mike Fanelli (Fantasy Pros), Cayden Steele (NJ.com)

“Aidan Hutchinson is on his way to stardom and the Lions took a flyer on Marcus Davenport, but they shouldn’t stop there. Robinson is as explosive as they come, but he needs development to find consistency. This defense can ease him in, allowing him to pin his ears back on passing downs to wreak havoc.” — Rogers

Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

Source: Chad Reuter (NFL.com), Alyssa Barberri (Touchdown Wire), Seth Trachtman (Yard Barker), Christian Williams (Football Guys), Scott Smith (4 For 4)

“The long-time Lions fan joins his hometown team to give Aidan Hutchinson some help on the edge. Robinson lined up in multiple places during his career at Missouri, showcasing a versatility you can expect defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to utilize, as well.” — Reuter

Chris Braswell, SAM, Alabama

Source: Nick Wright (Fox Sports)

Erik’s Thoughts:

Verse and Latu always seem to have an analyst or two allow them to slip to the bottom of the first round, with the Lions stopping their fall. Chop Robinson and Darius Robinson remain popular picks but neither is as widely popular as they were at different points of the offseason. At one point, each held the top projection spot for a week or two, but those days have passed. Braswell seems more likely to be the Lions' pick in the second round than in the first.

Defensive backs

Quinyon Mitchell

Source: John Daigle (Establish the Run)

“GM Brad Holmes missed out on Devon Witherspoon at No. 6 last year but responds here. Carlton Davis, acquired in exchange for a third-round pick, has one year left on his deal.” — Daigle

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Source: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today), Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports)

“What better way to follow up last year’s addition of Brian Branch – and this offseason’s loss of C.J. Gardner-Johnson – than with another multitalented defensive back? DeJean could be a dynamic playmaker in Aaron Glenn’s scheme while filling a key void at outside cornerback, and his stout play against the run would endear him to Dan Campbell.” — Middlehurst-Schwartz

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Source: Dan Parr (NFL.com), Sam Monson (PFF), Nathan Jahnke (PFF), Nate Davis (USA Today), Rob Maaddi (AP News), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports), Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), Brendan Donahue (Sharp Football Analysis), Matt Johnson (SportsNaut), Matthew Freedman (Fantasy Life), Bill Zimmerman (Windy City Gridiron), Eddie Brown (San Diego Union-Tribune), Brian Wacker (Baltimore Sun)

“There are bigger, faster and flashier cornerbacks in this draft class, but McKinstry’s a smooth cover man with a maturity to his game that feels similar to that of his former Alabama teammate, Brian Branch. Let’s reunite the two defensive backs in Detroit’s secondary!” — Parr

Nate Wiggins

Source: Will Bronson (CBS Sports), Saivion Mixson (The Sporting News)

“The Lions improved the secondary this offseason but still need to add a young stud corner to fill out this suddenly well-rounded roster.” — Brinson

Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Source: Natalie Miller (Draft Wire)

“The Detroit Lions don’t truly have many holes on their roster but could always use more secondary help. Kamari Lassiter was an ultra productive corner for a top ranked Georgia defense and projects well as a starting boundary corner at the next level.” — Miller

Erik’s Thoughts:

Defensive backs—specifically outside corners—have taken over the projections over the last several weeks with nearly 40% of the projections coming from this pool of players. Mitchell, despite being mocked here, is a candidate to be the first corner selected, DeJean is another ideal prospect for the Lions, but both players could also very much be off the board.

McKinstry is by far the most popular choice, which makes a ton of sense considering the Lions' need for corner support and McKinstry’s expertise and success in the Lions' press man scheme.

Wiggins is a terrific cover corner but I have concerns about his tackling and run support, while Lassiter is solid against the run, but I have concerns about his quickness and long speed.

Conclusion

Projecting pick No. 29 is a tough spot because of the 28 variables that come ahead of it. Most of the projections that are repeated from week to week seem logical. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Zach Frazier, Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson, and AD Mitchell all have strong arguments. But at the end of the day, Lions general manager Brad Holmes plays the board differently than most general managers and his unpredictability is likely the lead catalyst for the wide variation in projections for the Lions. And that’s probably exactly the way the Lions want it to be.