2024 NFL Draft Grades: Detroit Lions

Day 1 grade: B+
Day 2 grade: B
Day 3 grade: B-

Analysis: The Lions doubled up at corner in the first and second rounds, flexing their aggressiveness by trading a third-rounder to move up for Arnold instead of staying put and possibly selecting his 'Bama teammate, Kool-Aid McKinstry. Detroit got fair value on Rakestraw at the end of Round 2, though the team also could have used another edge rusher or receiver.

With Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell already in place at the two bookends, the Lions were one of the few teams able to take a chance on a massive, super-athletic tackle like Manu, a developmental prospect out of Canada. Vaki could turn out to be a hammer of a running back and special teamer, but the 32-spot jump to get him cost Detroit its fourth-rounder next year.

Top needs entering the draft: Cornerback, wide receiver, edge defender

I love the way GM Brad Holmes has remodeled his cornerback group this offseason. It was his team's biggest weakness. The Lions ranked 31st in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.8) and 30th in passing yards allowed to receivers (3,081) last season. They gave up way too many huge completions. So Holmes traded for Carlton Davis, signed Amik Robertson, re-signed Emmanuel Moseley and Kindle Vildor and then used his top two picks on Terrion Arnold (24) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (61). This corps is now one of the deepest in the entire league.

Arnold is my third-ranked corner, while Rakestraw lands at No. 9 at the position. Both are really good in the run game, too, which means this defense got more physical on the outside. Holmes had to give up Detroit's third-round pick in order to move up five spots with Dallas to get Arnold, but I can see why he did it. The Lions have one of the NFL's best rosters from top to bottom.

I thought Holmes should have targeted a wideout on Day 3, though, and Round 4 was just too high for Giovanni Manu (126), on whom we have limited data. He played against bad competition in Canada. Detroit surrendered its 2025 third-round pick to trade up, too. The Mekhi Wingo (189) selection is outstanding -- I have him ranked higher than his former teammate, Jordan Jefferson, who went at No. 116. Sione Vaki (132) played both running back and safety at Utah, and I like him better on offense.

The Lions certainly upgraded at cornerback, but after Wingo, I don't see any of their Day 3 players getting a significant opportunity in 2024. Plus, that 2025 third-rounder looms as potentially valuable.

THE LIONS CAME INTO THE DRAFT WITH MASSIVE HOLES IN THEIR DEFENSIVE SECONDARY. THEY IMMEDIATELY FILLED THOSE GAPS. I loved the team's first-round selection of Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who was my top-ranked corner and 11th overall player. Arnold gives the team a plug-and-play starter and ball-hawking playmaker on the outside. GM Brad Holmes didn't stop there, grabbing another potential future starter at cornerback in Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (my 42nd overall player) in the second round. Rakestraw is slightly undersized but makes up for it with his tenacious, physical style. The Lions made one of the more interesting picks of Day 3 as well, nabbing a physical marvel in University of British Columbia's Giovanni Manu. Manu stands 6-foot-7, 352 pounds and has the athletic traits that suggest he could develop into a starting tackle for Detroit.

They've now tripled down an 27th-ranked pass defense, drafting CBs Terrion Arnold (Round 1) and Ennis Rakestraw (Round 2) — they join trade arrival Carlton Davis III — as this team continues to load up for the ever-elusive Super Bowl run. Alabama's charismatic Arnold, in particular, should be a great culture fit and beloved figure in Motown based on his reception from the locals Thursday night.

I had wondered if the Lions' draft strategy would change given they had limited needs coming into this weekend. It did, as general manager Brad Holmes pulled off four trades across all three days to get picks for positions of need, using one for cornerback Terrion Arnold out of Alabama at No. 24 overall. Their next pick was also a corner in Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw. Tell me where they saw a need for improvement without telling me. They started Day 3 with a bang by trading a future third to get an international player in tackle Giovanni Manu in the fourth round. I'm not a huge fan of giving up richer future capital, but Holmes has earned the benefit of the doubt. I appreciate that Holmes again got his guys, consensus big board be damned. The Lions also by far and away won the award for best war-room attire. —Vitali

Best Pick: Fourth-round safety-running back Sione Vaki was the captain of my Better-Than team. He is a tough, physical player who can be a starting safety, but also a major contributor on special teams. He also has played running back.

Worst Pick: I won't say it's the worst pick, since I haven't seen his tape, but taking Canadian player Giovanni Manu in the fourth round is certainly the riskiest. He is a massive man at 6-8, 350 pounds, but played against lower-level completion.

The Skinny: They landed one of the best corners in the draft in the first round in Terrion Arnold, then came back and used a second-round pick on corner Ennis Rakestraw Jr. from Missouri. That's good drafting, addressing need with two players who will be starters at some point -- one this season. I love Vaki and sixth-round defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo has some good tape.

Analysis: The Lions didn't have much unfinished business after GM Brad Holmes crushed the draft and free agency in the two previous seasons. The top of that list by far was getting two starting-caliber cornerbacks who could fit well and make a lot of plays in Aaron Glenn's scheme. Arnold and Rakestraw can help clean up the makeshift mess from 2023.

Analysis: GM Brad Holmes is the new Howie Roseman. What do I mean by that? Sensible draft choices that aggressively target areas of need, and a relentless pursuit of those picks. The Lions nabbed two of the draft's best cornerbacks to help them patch a secondary that may have been their biggest Achilles heel last season. Holmes and coach Dan Campbell are a force together, one of the few GM and coach combinations who seem to be truly on the same page.

The Lions were one of two teams — the Eagles were the other — who went after their shortfalls in the secondary in a very smart fashion. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has had to call more zone than he would prefer because of the personnel he had. That is no longer an issue, because Detroit now had two new dawgs in Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Arnold is the more athletic and technically impressive prospect, but both of these guys want to take your lunch money on the field.

The fourth-round pick of Giovanni Manu is an obvious nod to the Eagles' Jordan Mailata plan — Manu is built like a brick outhouse and runs like a track star, so now it's about the development. Sione Vaki is an interesting hybrid in that he may have more potential as a running back. but he can do both credibly. And getting Christian Mahogany in the sixth round is one of the steals of this draft.

The Manu pick is a little frivolous that high, but other than that... we might be looking at Super Bowl or Bust here. This is an entirely different defense now.