Lions' Mock Draft Roundup: Top Cornerback Prospect Falls to 29

Cooper DeJean falling to Lions in several recent mock drafts.

Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean. / Lily Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK

It's time for the 10th All Lions mock draft roundup for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Over the last week, several defensive backs have become popular choices for the Lions at their 29th overall selection in the first round.

Let’s take a peek now at who the draft analysts have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round.

Cornerback Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean is presently being selected by: 

NFL.com (Lance Zierlein), NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew), The Athletic (Bruce Feldman), ESPN (Field Yates), The Sporting News (Mike Moraitis), Walter Football

As Yates writes, “Cornerback was already a priority for Detroit prior to the release of Cameron Sutton (amid allegations of domestic battery), and it now feels like an early must-have in the draft. 

DeJean would join former Iowa teammate (and 2023 first-rounder) Jack Campbell in Detroit and provide a boost to the Lions' secondary. He's springy with exceptional man coverage skills and on-ball production (seven INTs over the past two years). 

GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell would surely be drawn to DeJean's toughness and willingness as a tackler, two traits that also lead evaluators to think he could be the best safety in the class if he moved to that spot. But I view him as a corner -- and a really good one.”

EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Latu is presently being mocked by: 

Yahoo! Sports (Nate Tice)

Jan 30, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National edge Laiatu Latu of Ucla (15) practices during practice for the Senior Bowl. / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

Kneeland is presently being selected by: 

CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)

Edwards writes, "Marshawn Kneeland gets into the first round. After beginning his career in a rotation with Marcus Davenport, Kneeland will eventually take over as the full-time pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson."

EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri

Robinson is presently being chosen by: 

CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson), CBS Sports (Pete Prisco)

Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

McKinstry is presently being picked by: 

CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso), Pro Football Network (Brian Blewis), Pro Football Network (Tony Catalina)

Dec 30, 2023; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Wiggins is presently being selected by: 

Fox Sports (Jason McIntyre)

Center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Powers-Johnson is currently being selected by 

CBS Sports (Jeff Kerr)

As Kerr pens, “Unconventional for the Lions to go center here, especially with Frank Ragnow coming off an All-Pro season. Playing center has taken its toll on Ragnow, so the Lions will look to the future in Powers-Johnson to learn under Ragnow. Detroit looks for Day 1 starters and Powers-Johnson is one, but he may be cross-trained at guard.”

EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

Robinson is currently being tabbed to the Lions by: 

Pro Football Focus (Gordon McGuinness), The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer), Pro Football Network (Owain Jones)

Offensive tackle Amarius Mims, Georgia

Mims is presently being selected by:

Touchdown Wire (Doug Farrar)

EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State

Verse is currently being selected by: 

The Draft Network (Keith Sanchez)

As Sanchez writes, “The Lions are high-powered and efficient, but the defense still needs improvement. With this pack, the Lions find Aidan Hutchinson a running mate and draft Jared Verse. Verse is a speed-to-power rusher who can be a double-digit sack guy, giving the Lions a good one-two punch.”

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5). / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receiver Xavier Legette, South Carolina

Legette is presently being selected by: 

Pro Football Network (Will Helms)

Offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

Suamataia is presently being selected by:

The 33rd Team (Ian Valentino)

As Valentino writes, "There's more buzz around the Detroit Lions replacing Taylor Decker's huge $19.1 million cap hit than anticipated, considering his talent. 

If Detroit wants to offload Decker this summer, Kingsley Suamataia has to be considered here. Suamataia is much like Decker as a prospect: He gets the job done more often than not and relies on great tools to win."