Detroit Lions draft profile: 5 things to know about DT Mekhi Wingo

Many expected the Detroit Lions to target their defensive line in the draft early and often. However, after drafting a pair of cornerbacks to open the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Lions had to wait until Day 3 to address their defensive front.

That said, after a minor trade up in the sixth round, the Lions got LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, a high-character prospect who only saw his impact on the field increase year by year.

Here are five things you should know about the Lions’ newest defensive tackle.

He wore LSU’s prestigious #18 jersey number

Since 2003, it has been a tradition at LSU to honor the #18 jersey to the player that most exemplifies leadership and perseverance. It dates back to quarterback Matt Mauck, who after returning from a foot injury in 2002, led LSU to their first National Championship since 1958.

That numbers has been passed down to players of every position at LSU, and here’s coach Brian Kelly explaining why Wingo was awarded the honor:

“It’s worn by a player who represents the traits and spirit associated with a successful program and that’s Mekhi,” Kelly said.

This is especially impressive for Wingo, considering he spent his 2021 season with Missouri before transferring to LSU in 2022. He quickly managed to take on a leadership role that season, leading him to these honors for his final college season.

“This means a lot to me and I want to thank BJ (Ojulari) for showing me how to properly wear this number,” Wingo said after being awarded the number. “I’m going to play my heart out and represent this number and all those who have worn it before me the right way.”

Wingo lived up to the number with an impressive gesture to close out 2023

Without a doubt, Wingo’s last year at LSU didn’t go as planned. He suffered a groin injury in the season opener, and gutted through it for six games before eventually succumbing to the need for surgery.

His college career could have ended there. He could have spent his time rehabbing for the NFL Draft and beyond. But while other draft prospects skipped out on their team’s bowl games, Wingo attacked his rehabbed vigorously to make sure he played with his teammates one last time in the ReliaQuest Bowl, helping his team come out victorious over Wisconsin.

“I had the injury early throughout the year, didn’t feel like I got my full 18 (jersey) season,” Wingo told Detroit media. “And of course, I could’ve just packed up, declared, and did this, but it really got to me watching my team lose a few games with me being on the sideline. So, once I had my surgery, I just rehabbed my butt off and made it an emphasis to get back on the field and be with my guys one last time.”

Wingo produced two sacks in the game, including one that more or less sealed the win for LSU (forced a fourth-and-25 on the final possession):

Wingo was considered one of the biggest ‘steal’ of the NFL Draft

Wingo was selected with the 189th overall pick. Here’s where he landed on some popular big boards:

• Dane Brugler: 95th overall
• PFF: 131
• Jordan Reid: 90

And if you read our story on how the Lions had the most valuable draft in 2024, you’ll remember Wingo was a big reason why the external impression of the Lions’ draft was that they got excellent value.

The Lions’ selection of Wingo also made ESPN’s Field Yates’ list of “best picks, top steals.” Here’s what he had to say about the new Lions defensive tackle:

“This was one of the best value picks of the third day, as Wingo ranked 81st overall on my board. He impressed me with his ability to play behind the line of scrimmage. His lightning-quick first step and active hands make him tough to block. Wingo probably lasted until No. 189 because of his stature (6-foot and 284 pounds), but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s at least a rotational interior pass-rusher early on.”

Wingo showed up at the NFL Combine

While Wingo’s overall size (6-foot, 284) dragged his RAS score down to 8.78 overall, his speed, agility, and explosions grades were all in the “elite category.”

His 40-yard dash time of 4.85 was second among all defensive tackles at the NFL Combine, and his 1.64 10-yard split ranked first (it would have been 12th among edge defenders, tied with third-round pick Adisa Isaac).

That explosiveness certainly shows up on tape.

Okay, but hold off on the Aaron Donald comparisons

I loved this moment from Wingo on the “Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams.” He was asked who he modeled his game after, and he knew as a small, fast defensive tackle, he was walking into an Aaron Donald trap.

“Obviously, every short defensive tackle is gonna say they like watching Aaron Donald and things like that, but Aaron Donald, he does some things a lot of guys can’t do,” Wingo said. Instead, he made some more realistic comparisions.

“I like watching guys like Calijah Kancey, Grady Jarrett, Justin Madubuike. Those smaller d-linemen that can kick outside to the 5 (tech) and make things happen.”

While the two measured identically in their 10-yard splits, Wingo and Donald were not really on the same level with every other pre-draft measurement. Donald literally outscored him in every other aspect of the RAS card. Wingo measures much more favorably compared to Jarrett, although he may have to put on some weight at the next level.

Both the Lions and Wingo like his potential on the edge

In the same interview with Adams, Wingo discussed what he believed to be an underappreciated part of his game.

“I always tell (teams), I can kick anywhere from the 0 (tech) to the 5 on third down,” Wingo said. “Move me out there, I’ma make some magic happen.”

Lions general manager Brad Holmes seems to agree. In his Day 3 press conference, Holmes mentioned that while he didn’t initially see the potential on the edge or as an interior pass rusher, the more he watched Wingo’s tape, the more his versatility came into focus.

“I originally was just looking at him as purely just a defensive tackle that was just going to be playing inside. I was like, ‘Man, I’m not sure,’” Holmes said. “But when I kept watching him, his rush ability really started to come to light. I kind of put him in a different box—a little bit like when we talked about (Josh) Paschal when Paschal came out. It’s like, ‘Okay, can he play on the edge on first and second down, and can he do some inside rush?’ Wingo, he’s got a lot of good stuff on tape as an edge rusher actually, surprisingly. His sub-rush is pretty impressive.”

Wingo only had limited experience on the edge in college. Here’s that snap distribution over the last three years.

2023: 84 of 389 snaps = 21.6%
2022: 270 of 821 snaps= 32.9%
2021 (Missouri): 18 of 460 snaps = 3.9%