Lions Mock Draft Simulation 5.0

Lions capitalize on Draft steals in recent simulated mock draft.

Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3). / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft is drawing near, and the anticipation for what the Detroit Lions will do is building.

General manager Brad Holmes has become notorious for keeping his cards close to the vest around this time. Last year, he surprised many by selecting Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell in the first round.

Holmes' draft class turned out to be a revelation, as each of his first four picks were starters last season.

Now, there is hope that Holmes can replicate that feat in the 2024 Draft, which will be hosted in Detroit.

With the first round less than 20 days away, I conducted a simulated mock draft in anticipation of what the Lions could do with their picks.

Round 1

Pick 29: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

In the first round, a surprising steal was available in the form of Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean. A foot injury hindered his draft stock somewhat, as does uncertainty about where he will play at the next level.

However, this plays well for the Lions. Whether DeJean winds up as a corner or a safety, the Lions need players at both positions. Therefore, he was an easy pick at No. 29 overall.

Round 2

Pick 61: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

In the second round, the Lions bolster their pass-rush with the addition of Washington's Bralen Trice. The defender had good production at the collegiate level, with 80 pressures last season.

Trice has been knocked a bit by shorter arms, but much like DeJean he fits a need. The Lions have also hit on a prospect with shorter arms for the position in recent years, as that was a label attached to Aidan Hutchinson out of Michigan.

Round 3

Pick 73: T'Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas

Moving into the third round, the Lions add more defensive line help in the form of Texas' T'Vondre Sweat. Him still being available in the third round was a surprise, much like DeJean. In this case, the Lions once again end the slide and add a solid football player.

Sweat will offer help on the interior and help spell players such as Alim McNeill and DJ Reader. He doesn't necessarily have a defined position within the defensive line, but he'll be able to help in multiple ways.

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (DL25) works out during the NFL Scouting Combine. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4

The Lions do not currently have a fourth-round selection.

Round 5

Pick 164: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest

Mustapha is an athletic specimen who moves very well in the secondary. He has good speed and was once placed on The Athletic's 'Freaks List' for his in-game speed and strength. He can offer run support in the box, which will be beneficial for the Lions' defense.

Mustapha also would give the Lions another body in the secondary behind Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph. This would especially help if DeJean winds up sticking at cornerback in this Draft scenario.

Round 6

Pick 201: Josh Cephus, WR, UTSA

Cephus is a big-bodied target, which fills a need that the Lions have. After losing Josh Reynolds, the organization has a pressing need for a vertical target that would pair nicely with Amon-Ra St. Brown.

In Cephus, the Lions would be getting a strong pass-catcher who offers mismatch potential with his size. He'll need some fine-tuning, but there's plenty to like about his potential fit in Ben Johnson's offense.

Pick 205: Ethan Driskell, OT, Marshall

With the Lions losing Jonah Jackson, the offensive line could use some added depth. Signing Kevin Zeitler helps sure up the guard spot, but Driskell would be a capable reserve tackle who could develop into a rotational player.

As the last few seasons have taught the Lions, injuries happen on the offensive line. As a result, it would be wise for Holmes to invest in young depth behind the standout tandem of Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.

Round 7

Pick 249: Easton Gibbs, LB, Wyoming

Gibbs reminds me plenty of Malcolm Rodriguez as a physical but somewhat unheralded linebacker prospect. He played in the Mountain West Conference at Wyoming, where he had two straight 100-plus tackle seasons.

He would offer special teams depth right away with a chance to factor into Detroit's deep linebacker rotation with some development.

Results from a Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulation / Christian Booher via Pro Football Focus