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.

Ever since James Franklin took over at Penn State, the Nittany Lions have churned out edge rushers and all indications are that Carter is next. Even while splitting duties with 2023 top-100 draft picks Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter earned first-team All-Big Ten honors with 5.5 tackles for loss, including 4.5 sacks.

The Lions want some pass-rush help opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and if you enjoyed watching Missouri's Darius Robinson (Cardinals first-rounder) during this past draft cycle, you'll love Gillotte. His game similarly revolves around power. At 6-3 and 275 pounds, he packs a strong punch, helping him to 13 tackles for loss and 11 sacks last season. But can he expand his pass-rush skill set behind his raw strength?