The NFL Draft is getting closer and speculation about each team’s approach is only increasing. The Detroit Lions are no exception.
Dan Campbell‘s squad is in a great spot coming off an NFC Championship appearance. Now, they look to load their roster up even more. What makes this draft so intriguing for Detroit is that their roster is already so complete that they could afford to go essentially any given direction.
That makes their moves pretty hard to forecast, but it doesn’t mean we can’t take a crack at it. Here’s one scenario.
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Round 1, Pick 29
Lions trade pick No. 29 to the Carolina Panthers for pick Nos. 33 and 101
To surround second-year quarterback Bryce Young with as much assistance as possible, the Carolina Panthers trade into the end of the first round and select Troy Franklin. This would be a wise move given it allows the Panthers to leapfrog the Chiefs and Ravens, two wide receiver-needy teams that could have easily snatched up Franklin. The Lions move back a few spots and pick up an extra selection along the way.
Round 2, Pick 33 (via Panthers): WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Continual investment is the name of the game. Detroit has boasted one of the league’s top offenses for two years running, but the team recently lost Josh Reynolds to the Broncos and was probably looking to add a wideout regardless. After all, the depth behind superstar Amon-Ra St. Brown is not a sure thing.
Legette fixes those problems, giving Detroit another huge offensive threat and filling the team’s hole at X-receiver. It’s true that the South Carolina product has only put one good year on tape, but the tools are all there. He has great size, sub-4.4 speed, and great hands. There’s not much to dislike about him as a prospect.
Legette isn’t getting the same kind of hype as guys like Brian Thomas Jr., but he can still make an instant impact. Plus, planning around St. Brown, Legette, and Sam LaPorta seems nearly impossible for opposing defenses. Detroit makes sure that its offense stays at the top with this pick.
Read our scouting report on Xavier Legette.
Xavier Legette go zoom
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) April 11, 2024
Round 2, Pick 61: DE Bralen Trice, Washington
The Lions already picked up D.J. Reader for their defensive line, but the team isn’t done adding to that group just yet. Detroit still lacks a dependable pass-rusher to bookend young star Aidan Hutchinson, and Trice could be just that.
His measurables don’t necessarily pop off the paper at first, but he’s consistently reliable against both the run and pass. Plus, Trice has a relentless motor and plays with great physicality, two valuable traits that will take him far.
There’s plenty to like about Trice as a prospect, and it’s very easy to envision him being the missing piece on the Lions’ defensive line.
Read our scouting report on Bralen Trice.
Round 3, Pick 73: G Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
The Detroit offensive line looks to dominate again in 2024, but Pro Bowl right guard Kevin Zeitler is 34 years old and All-Pro center Frank Ragnow is nursing a chronic injury. The team has to look towards the future and find some insurance.
Beebe is that future. The 6-foot-3, 322-pound interior offensive lineman can play multiple positions across the offensive line and has been a consistent starter at Kansas State for some time. He’s a bully in the trenches, strong, and smart.
The Lions might not need him to start immediately, but Beebe appears ready if tasked with such a role. This is an easy pick for Brad Holmes.
Read our scouting report on Cooper Beebe.
Round 4, Pick 101: CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Detroit likely already has its two starting outside corners in Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson, but the team should look for talented depth to supplement those two and fill out the secondary.
Enter, Khyree Jackson. The Oregon product has elite size at 6-foot-4 and possesses good athleticism, part of an intriguing prospect profile. He’d likely play a rotational role at first before presumably assuming a starting role as he grows.
The upside here is too enticing to pass up.
Khyree Jackson | CB | ORE
Massive CB w/ exceptional length & physicality. Disruptive pressing at LoS or at route stem, holds his ground. Zone eyes & IQ are natural, leads to big plays downhill. Good downhill tackler & impactful blitzer. 1 speed mover, best on the vertical plane pic.twitter.com/1DvdFEQlIF
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) April 8, 2024
Round 5, Pick 164: S Tykee Smith, Georgia
After parting ways with both Tracy Walker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Lions have very little depth at safety beyond starters Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Smith offers good value here. The former Georgia Bulldog is very solid in coverage and should serve as great long-term depth for the Lions with the potential to play a larger role down the road.
Round 6, Pick 201 (via Buccaneers): OT Walter Rouse, Oklahoma
Detroit takes a flyer on more offensive line depth here. The unit has been one of the best in the league for a little while now, and continual investment in it is the best way to ensure that continues.
Round 6, Pick 205: DT Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa
Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader are secure as Detroit’s two starters along the interior of the defensive line, but it can never hurt to have more options. The Lions pick up a 6-foot-4 bulldozer to serve as quality young depth.
Round 7, Pick 249: K Will Reichard, Alabama
The Lions have gone through a lineup of kickers ever since Matt Prater signed elsewhere, but this pick puts that to rest.
Reichard is a reliable kicker who should bring some stability to the position. It’s possible that the Lions could find a kicker in undrafted free agency, but using a late pick here instead ensures that Campbell gets his guy.
My RD7.236 Draft Day Pick
RD7.236: Will Reichard, K, Alabamapic.twitter.com/7xArpuQ1gy
— Chad Koon (@chadkoon) April 3, 2024
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