Fantasy Pros Nystrom (Detroit Lions | Draft Grade: A+. This year, the always-entertaining GM Brad Holmes kicked things off with a five-slot trade-up to seize the day and stop the fall of CB Terrion Arnold. Arnold had fallen down the board simply because of the quirk of 14-straight offensive players getting picked to start the night. This continued the drumbeat of Holmes’ aggressive offseason strategy of addressing the Lions’ Achilles’ heel CB room, which began with a deal for Carlton Davis and a free agent contract for Amik Robertson. Despite that, CB remained Detroit’s biggest need heading into Thursday. Arnold lacks elite speed, but he’s smooth as silk and smart as a whip. He’s very natural with the ball in the air, whipping his head around and getting his hands up. Two other things that you love: Arnold flies downhill to help in the run game, and he has extensive experience on special teams. In Round 2, Holmes decided to double-tap at CB while ringing that knee-cap-biter bell again. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is skinny and runs a modest 4.51. But he’s extremely difficult to shake, a shifty, feisty corner who stays in your face. Rakestraw Jr. is also a gleeful kamikaze of a run defender who flies down the alley looking to turn himself into a human projectile. This ethos perhaps comes from his – ala Arnold – extensive special teams experience. Holmes had one curveball for us midway through when he took fascinating size/athleticism British Columbia lottery ticket OL Giovanni Manu. I adored the last three picks, a trio of objective steals with S Sione Vaki, DT Mekhi Wingo, and OG Christian Mahogany. Vaki has RB versatility. Wingo is undersized but jittery and difficult to keep out of the backfield. But the real steal was Mahogany. I’m confused how he got to the No. 210 pick. He was good at the P5 level for multiple years, he’s a strong athlete, and, well… I’ll let GM Brad Holmes let the last word to explain the rest.): https://www.fantasypros.com/2024/04/nfc-draft-grades-2024-nfl-draft/
SI (Grade: A. 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.): https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/04/27/2024-nfl-draft-team-grades-analysis
SN Iyer (8. Detroit Lions - Grade: A. Draft picks: CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., OT Giovanni Manu, S/RB Sione Vaki, DT Mekhi Wingo, G Christian Mahogany. 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): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2024-best-worst-classes/95666a96709d1d94631633f5
Draft wire (The Lions have a type and they stuck to it. Loading up on cornerbacks is a smart move after releasing Cameron Sutton and those two sixth-round picks are bullies at the line of scrimmage. Grade: A): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2024-nfl-draft-grades-bears-commanders-colts-eagles-steelers/
Walter football (Detroit Lions: A Grade. Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: Detroit’s biggest weakness last year was stopping the pass. More talent needs to be added to the secondary. Outside of that, the Lions have some small upgrades to make at receiver, guard, and defensive tackle. 2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: I asked one high-ranking NFC personnel man whom he thought was the most shocking player to drop in the first round. He told me it was Terrion Arnold, and that his team tried to move up for him, but was beaten to the punch by Detroit. Arnold was an absolute steal at No. 24, and the Lions did well to move up five spots for him. Detroit is on the cusp of winning the Super Bowl, and a dynamic cornerback talent like Arnold could put them over the top. The Lions weren’t done upgrading their secondary after that. They secured another steal in Ennis Rakestraw at No. 61. Safety Sione Vaki was also added in the fourth frame. Vaki wasn’t a great value like Arnold or Rakestraw, but he may fill a need at safety. Detroit made two stellar late-round choices, acquiring Mekhi Wingo and Christian Mahogany, both of whom could have been chosen a round or two earlier than they were selected. The only pick I disliked of Detroit’s was Giovanni Manu. While the British Columbia athlete has high upside for the future, he doesn’t exactly fit with Detroit’s goal of trying to win a Super Bowl in the next year or two. Despite the Manu blunder, the Lions had a terrific draft. They attacked their biggest need with two amazing values, and they found great bargains late on Saturday.): https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgradesteam.php
Touchdown wire (Detroit Lions: A-. 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.): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2024-nfl-draft-grades-and-analysis-for-all-32-teams/
SI All Lions LAMORANDIER (OVERALL GRADE: Brad Holmes could do pretty much whatever he wanted this draft, and I would trust his judgment. Despite being a bit critical on a couple of selections, the talent he acquired at positions of need is highly encouraging. If the Lions had better cornerback play last season, that could have been potentially the difference between making the Super Bowl and falling short in the NFC Championship Game. I have no problem with their top four original picks (No. 29, 61, 73, 92) all being allocated to upgrade their secondary. Holmes has had some excellent drafts during his tenure in Detroit, yet this might be my favorite so far in terms of the value at each selection. There wasn’t any top-10 overall picks like in years past, so maybe this class won’t be quite as impactful early on. However, I still see plenty of meaningful contributions coming from these prospects immediately and even more into the future. Final Grade: A-): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/detroit-lions-2024-nfl-draft-grades
FTW (5. Detroit Lions - Best pick: CB Terrion Arnold. If the NFC semifinalists had ONE glaring weakness, it was a woeful secondary. Try as Dan Campbell did to project an air of confidence in his players, there’s simply no way he believed in a back end that featured No. 1 cornerback Cameron Sutton (gross). Arnold is an immediate impact talent who should thrive in a CB2 role alongside the recently acquired Carlton Davis. With this duo and safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, on paper, Detroit’s secondary is actually something to write home about now. Worst pick: N/A. I mean, maybe you can fit Manu in here? Otherwise, the Lions took versatile players with draft ranks much lower than where they were actually selected — Arnold, Christian Mahogany, Ennis Rakestraw, Mekhi Wingo. That’s tough to complain about. Potential bargain pick: S Sione Vaki. While there’s plenty to like about a lottery ticket like Manu, Vaki is a guy who could pay dividends in the Lions’ needy secondary. He’s a missile running downhill, crashing into running backs to snuff out plays before they can become problems. While his coverage skills need to improve, the fact he’s only played two years of college ball suggests he can make leaps in the right environment. And he was happy to fill in at running back for Utah last year, giving the kind of “whatever it takes” attitude that will absolutely play on Dan Campbell’s practice field Grade: A-): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/ranking-every-nfl-teams-2024-draft-class-from-the-panthers-ugh-to-surging-bears-hellllo-caleb-williams
CBS Wilson (Drafts I liked - 18. Lions: A-. Favorite pick: The Lions had real needs at cornerback and to have Terrion Arnold fall to 24 is a gift from the football gods. He's one of the most motivated players we've ever talked to. Best value: I loved Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the first round, but I know teams had concerns about his size, injury history, and long speed. His physicality reminded me of Devon Witherspoon. Most surprising pick: The Lions gave up a 2025 third-rounder to get Giovanni Manu in the fourth round. He's incredibly raw, and will need to redshirt -- almost certainly on the active roster -- so it'll be interesting to see how soon he develops in Detroit.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-each-teams-2024-nfl-draft-class-bears-commanders-steelers-cardinals-aces-falcons-raise-questions/
CBS Douzable (Detroit Lions Grade: A-. The Lions got significantly better in the secondary with Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.. I also love the picks of Sione Vaki and Mekhi WIngo as developmental players.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2024-former-10-year-nfl-veteran-analyzes-every-teams-draft-class-reveals-favorite-picks/
NFL.com's Carr and Frelund grade Detroit Lions' 2024 draft haul | 'NFL Total Access' (Freuland gives the Lions an A-. Carr gives them a B+): https://www.nfl.com/videos/carr-and-frelund-grade-detroit-lions-2024-draft-haul-nfl-total-access
Athlonsports 2024 NFL Draft Grades: Instant Analysis for Every NFC North Team (Detroit Lions - Best Value Pick: OL Christian Mahogany (6th Round, No. 210 overall). Even after trading for Carlton Davis III, the Lions kept attacking a weakness, doubling up on top corner prospects with each of their first two picks. Trading up for Terrion Arnold was well worth it, and stealing Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at the end of the second was huge. OT Giovanni Manu and RB/S Sione Vaki are both fun players with potential, but they felt like luxury picks that should have happened a couple of rounds later for a team that needed more immediate contributors at multiple positions. They finished off with two of the best bargains in the entire draft, though, landing Mahogany and DL Mekhi Becton in the sixth round. GRADE: B+): https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-draft-grades-2024-nfc-north-chicago-bears-detroit-lions-green-bay-packers-minnesota-vikings
Foxsports Staff (Detroit Lions - 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. Grade: B+): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-nfl-draft-grades-analyzing-all-32-teams-classes-who-gets-top-marks
PFN (Overall Grade: B+. Lions fans can feel good about the latest class that Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell put together. Terrion Arnold is a true blue-chip prospect at CB, and Mekhi Wingo and Christian Mahogany were two of the best value acquisitions on Day 3. Both could make a major imprint early in their Lions careers. There were a few moves that felt redundant or forced. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is a good player and scheme fit, but the 61st pick could’ve been spent on an EDGE or WR. And trading capital to acquire a potentially positionless hybrid in Vaki wasn’t ideal, either. Nevertheless, the Lions had a successful stretch in the 2024 NFL Draft overall. And more importantly, they aggressively targeted weaknesses, with the intent of rising back to contention in 2024.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/overall-nfl-draft-grades-2024/
NFL.com Shook and Filice (Grade: B+. Detroit Lions: Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have a type, and their first two picks of this draft were straight out of central casting. Anyone who has come across Terrion Arnold knows he is one of this draft’s biggest energy-givers, the kind of gregarious presence every locker room needs during the grind of a season. As NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said after the Lions pounced on the cornerback via trade-up, “There’s guys that like football, there’s guys that love football, and then there’s Terrion Arnold.” Yup. You saw his exhilarating, draft-night introduction to the city of Detroit, right? But the former five-star safety recruit isn’t just a fun personality -- he’s a well-rounded defensive back offering just about everything you want at the position: size, physicality, ball skills, football IQ and irrational confidence. A 4.50-second 40-yard dash at the combine raised some questions about his long speed, but the play speed never appeared to be an issue at Alabama. And most notably with this particular Lions regime, Arnold plays with an undeniable edge. Just like Detroit’s second-round pick, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who summed up his feisty game in a post-selection video chat with reporters: "I call myself the tone-setter. Our defense used to call me the firecracker of the team because, yeah, I'm a corner, but I'll come up and set that edge and hit you like a linebacker, and I like my presence to be felt when I'm out there." The Lions had a need at cornerback this offseason -- a need that only became more pressing after the release of Cameron Sutton. And in the draft, they found great value on a pair of alpha dogs who’ll fit in perfectly with the team’s gritty culture. Now, in the middle rounds of the draft, it seemed like Holmes was feeling himself a little bit. And who can blame him? Over his first three drafts in Detroit, the general manager uncovered a bevy of gems in Round 3 or beyond, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Derrick Barnes. But Holmes was flexing in this year’s fourth round, selecting a Paul Bunyan-esque figure from the University of British Columbia (6-foot-7, 352-pound developmental tackle Giovanni Manu) and a two-way FOOTBALL PLAYER (RB/DB Sione Vaki). Both picks will probably hit and make me regret lampooning the logic. And to Holmes’ credit, he landed a couple nice value picks for trench depth in Round 6 (DT Mekhi Wingo and OG Christian Mahogany).): https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-draft-grades-nfc-north-2024
Wire editors (Detroit Lions - Grade: B+. The Lions aggressively addressed the long-term needs at cornerback by trading up to land Terrion Arnold in the first round and selecting Ennis Rakestraw in the second. Two trades into the fourth round produced RB Sione Vaki and massive Tongan/Canadian OL project Giovanni Manu, while Day 3 concluded with DT Mekhi Wingo and OG Christian Mahogany. Only Arnold is expected to play significantly in 2024, but the rest all add needed depth and long-term upside to a Lions roster that is ready to compete for the Super Bowl. – Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2024-nfl-draft-grades-bills-commanders-cardinals-cowboys/
ESPN Mel Kiper (Grade: B): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2024-best-worst-classes/95666a96709d1d94631633f5
USA Today (14. Detroit Lions - Grade: B: 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.): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2024/04/27/nfl-draft-grades-2024-team-classes-ranking-cowboys-steelers/73378215007/
AP Draft Grades (DETROIT LIONS: B. Traded up to get CB Terrion Arnold (24) and strengthened the pass defense even more with CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round.): https://apnews.com/article/nfl-draft-grades-2024-334ef0dd263c4a7fc8d0c4c8e300e730
CBS Prisco (Detroit Lions: B. 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.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-nfl-draft-2024-grades-for-all-32-teams-including-best-and-worst-picks-commanders-receive-only-a/
Yahoo (Overall grade: B. Detroit made some great picks in the first two rounds of the draft and some risky ones to kick off Day 3. They accomplished their goal of getting better at cornerback this offseason, now featuring a completely revamped room as Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. will join Carlton Davis in Detroit. The Lions even got a couple sixth-rounders with potential to close out their day. It’s really just the selections in the fourth round that are giving a bit of pause here.): https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nfl-draft-grades-for-all-32-teams-170438870.html
NBC sports Froton (The Lions brass must have almost fainted when they saw Arnold (+12) available at twice his CBB ranking and traded up decisively with Dallas to acquire his services. Arnold led the SEC with 16 PBU and five interceptions with the third-highest PFF defensive grade in the Power Five. The First Team All-American forced incompletions 29% with a strong 0.58 yards allowed per cover snap. Detroit then doubled down on DB and taking the wiry but short-armed CB Rakestraw (+21) in lieu of shoring up other areas of need since they didn’t pick again until #126. S Vaki (-19) was asked to play RB/WR for a spell this year, rushing for 158 yards against Cal one week, then catching five passes for 149 yards against USC the next. Both Wingo (+80) and Mahogany (+117) were selected well below CBB expectations and could challenge for roster spots. Mahogany recorded 0.3% pressure rate over 368 pass snaps, and 0.8% blown run block rate last year, which are both upper echelon marks for interior offensive linemen. While I personally might not have taken two corners in a row, especially with Rakestraw’s spindly frame, both picks were solid values and they added two linemen with the potential to contribute in short order. Grade: B): https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/football/news/2024-nfl-draft-grades-nfc-edition
Sportskeeda Pauline (Detroit Lions: The Lions moved up in Round 1 and went defensive-back crazy with their first two selections. Cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are both quality prospects with starting potential. Mekhi Wingo was excellent value in the sixth round. Grade - B): https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/2024-nfl-draft-grades-nfc-edition-giants-homework-falcons-miss-theirs
CBS Trapasso (The Lions were ultra aggressive in this draft, which aligns with the demeanor of Dan Campbell. Not a brilliant idea team-building wise, however the Lions are clearly very close. Rakestraw plays with similar chippiness. Arnold is squeaky clean and has upside because of his complete game. Vaki is such an energetic safety who can do everything in any defensive back position. He's just small. Wingo can get up the field from the inside. For as much as I love what the Lions have done over the past three years, especially in the draft, after the back-to-back cornerback picks, I didn't love what Detroit did in this draft. Grade: B-): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-draft-grades-for-every-team-patriots-chiefs-with-awesome-hauls-cowboys-others-receive-poor-marks/
Grade Tally:
A+: 1
A: 5
A-: 6
B+: 7
B: 7
B-: 1
Note: I will add more as they become available.
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