2024 NFL mock draft: 11 options Detroit Lions’ 2nd-round pick

The Detroit Lions are on the clock in our 2024 NFL Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft in the second round. Erik Schlitt will be making the pick (to be revealed on Wednesday) for the Lions, but before he does, let’s examine the options.

If you need a reminder of who has been taken in the previous 60 selections, head to our 2024 POD Community Mock Draft tracker here.

This post will examine the top remaining options on the board, and at the bottom of the post, you can vote on which player you’d pick if you were the Lions general manager in this position.

Remember that Erik opted to pick Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson with the 29th pick.

Top remaining options for Lions

RB Trey Benson, Florida State — There is just one running back off the board so far (Jaylen Wright), and while running back is not at all a need for Detroit, they could prepare for the future with Benson. There’s an out in David Montgomery’s contract in 2024, and Benson (6-foot-1, 216 pounds) would make a formidable replacement. He runs strong, has decent contact balance, and found the endzone 14 times on the ground last year for the Seminoles.

WR Roman Wilson, Michigan — Wilson may feel a bit redundant with Amon-Ra St. Brown, as they win in similar ways: with precise route running and incredible work ethic. Wilson brings a little more athleticism than St. Brown, though, and there’s nothing wrong with having a few options to rotate in and out of the slot.

OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale — Amegadjie played both right guard (10 games) and left tackle (14) in college, and given his size (6-foot-5, 323 pounds) he could really project to either position in the NFL. Another culture fit in Detroit—Dane Brugler described him as “intelligent, tough and driven”—Amedgadjie would give Detroit several options for the future of their offensive line.

OL Dominick Puni, Kansas — Another prospect who could play on the inside or outside, Puni has a ton of experience (43 starts) split between time at Central Missouri and Kansas. He may need a little more polish to his game, but a year on the bench in Detroit could be just what he needs.

EDGE - Bralen Trice, Washington — Trice would make an odd selection considering Chop Robinson was the first-round selection, but you can certainly make the argument he’s the best player available. Trice is a culture fit as an energetic captain for Washington. While Chop would bring the elite speed on the edge, Trice wins with strength, effort, and active hands.

DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan — If Detroit wants to prepare for the future without DJ Reader and give themselves Alim McNeill insurance, Jenkins would be a formidable addition. While he hasn’t flashed as a pass rusher (4.5 career sacks), his play strength and ability to stop the run would make him valuable in Detroit.

DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas — At 6-foot-4 and a massive 366 pounds, there was some early talk of Sweat being a potential first-round talent for his ridiculous strength and run stopping talent. However, some have pointed to potential character issues, as he has been labeled a “party animal” by some and was recently arrested for driving while intoxicated.

DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson — A bit raw, and Clemson has a bit of a recent trend of not-so-great transitions to the NFL, but Orhohoro has an elite athletic profile for a potential solid pass rusher while also bringing experience as a two-gapping run defender. He produced more in the run game in college, but the traits are there to develop more of a pass rushing threat.

DT Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State — If you’re looking for a little more polish in the pass rushing game, Hall may have low overall productivity (6.0 sacks in two seasons as a starter), but his advanced metrics are much better. His 84.8 PFF pass rush grade was 11th best in the country, and his athletic profile also translates nicely.

CB Max Melton, Rutgers — Melton fits that mold of an Aaron Glenn defensive back: small (5-foot-11, 187 pounds) but feisty. He’s also extremely fast (4.39 40-yard dash) with excellent ball production. In his last three years at Rutgers, Melton produced 30 passes defended and eight interceptions in a total of 34 games. There are good and bad signs regarding his character. He’s tough and gritty on the field, but he was charged with aggravated assault due to a paintball gun incident in 2021.

S Jaden Hicks, Washington State — Dane Brugler’s top safety in this class (Javon Bullard and Tyler Nubin were selected ahead of Hicks in this mock), Hicks is best as a run defender (6.0 tackles for loss) and occasional blitzer (2.5 sacks last season). But he’s also got the athleticism to be a rangy pass defender. Safety is arguably the Lions’ biggest overall need, despite the fact that there may not be a starting job available.

Vote on your preference below and explain your answer in the comment section at the bottom of the article.