2024 NFL Draft: Ranking the Detroit Lions’ 10 biggest needs

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.

1. Safety

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.

2. Wide receiver

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.

3. Cornerback

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.

4. Guard

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.

5. Defensive tackle

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 Lions a clearer plan for the future. It’s hard to see Reader playing for Detroit beyond his two-year deal, and having insurance in case McNeill negotiations stall would be smart.

6. Offensive tackle

Much like at guard, the Lions are currently set with their starters in Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell. Decker is in a contract year, though, and Detroit’s depth at tackle is nonexistent, save Dan Skipper. Don’t be surprised if the Lions grab someone with tackle/guard flexibility.

7. Edge defender

Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, Marcus Davenport, James Houston, and Mathieu Betts could very well be the six edge defenders going into the 2024 season, and it’s not a terrible outlook. But Cominsky and Davenport could be done after 2024, and the jury is still very much out on everyone else on the team. I could see the Lions investing early or not at all at EDGE this draft.

8. Kicker

Michael Badgley is back and the heavy favorite to win the starting job again, but Holmes has already said the Lions plan on adding competition at kicker. Whether that means a late draft pick, an undrafted player, or a phenom currently playing in the UFL, we’ll have to wait and see.

9. Nickel depth

If Brian Branch is, indeed, going to play more safety this year, the Lions are going to have to figure out what to do at nickel during those reps. Robertson has some versatility there, but Detroit would be wise to invest in someone capable of filling that role long-term. I believe that leaves someone like Michigan’s Mike Sainristil firmly on the table in this draft.

10. Special teams linebacker

While the Lions are set with their top five linebackers (Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin), the Lions like to keep six on their roster. And the Lions lost two linebackers in the past year that were both present and future special teamers: Anthony Pittman and Trevor Nowaske.

Those may not seem like significant losses, but it hasn’t been overlooked by Lions linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard, who recently revealed a conversation he had with Reeves-Maybin about adding more competition.

“(Reeves-Maybin) thinks he’s part-time player, part-time GM. So he’s already been upstairs, he’ll walk through the cafeteria—because he’s been rehabbing—he’s like, ‘Hey, have we seen any linebackers to replace Pitt(man) and Nowaske?’” Sheppard said. “I said, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll bring competition for you soon.’”

Don’t be surprised if the Lions go linebacker late in the draft or prioritize it with their undrafted prospects.