Lions 2024 Draft Grades: Holmes, Campbell 'Force' Together

Examining national reaction to Lions' Draft class.

Detroit Lions fans Christopher Guiao, 47, of Sterling Heights, left in mask, and Reiner Calderero. / Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes did plenty of moving around to assemble a six-player class in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Holmes used a flurry of trades to acquire his desired players. Ultimately, the Lions left the three-day event with two cornerbacks, two offensive linemen, a defensive lineman and a running back.

The group includes cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, offensive linemen Giovanni Manu and Christian Mahogany, running back Sione Vaki and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo.

Here's a look at the national reaction to Detroit's 2024 Draft class.

Sports Illustrated

Grade: A

"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."

NFL.com

Grade: B

"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  and  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."

ESPN

Grade: B

"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 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."

Pro Football Focus

Grade: A

"Detroit traded up to acquire the 14th-ranked player on the PFF big board, Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. Arnold is an alpha presence in the secondary who plays with a fearless mentality. He led all SEC cornerbacks in interceptions and pass breakups in 2023 and led the conference with a 90.6 PFF run-defense grade. Detroit has officially overhauled its cornerback room with the additions of Arnold, Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson."

USA Today

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 Arnold, in particular, should be a great culture fit and beloved figure in Motown based on his reception from the locals Thursday night."

The Sporting News

Grade: A

"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."