Lions 2024 Mock Draft Simulation 3.0

Defense remains an area of focus in latest simulation.

The Detroit Lions have one of the league's most potent offenses, so they don't have big needs to address on that side of the ball early in the NFL Draft. 

Though the organization would certainly benefit from adding depth at each position, the defensive side of the ball remains a top area of need. 

As a result, my latest mock draft simulation focused on adding starting-caliber defensive talent early, while using the later rounds to gather offensive depth. 

Alabama's Chris Braswell was the first pick at No. 29 overall. With many of the top cornerback talents off the board in this scenario, the Lions grab one of the top EDGE rushers in the class that also has SAM linebacker capabilities. 

This position was one that James Houston was being molded for prior to his injury, so the Lions would add high-level competition to this position early in the draft. 

In the second round, T'Vondre Sweat was still available, and hence, an easy addition for the Lions to make on Day 2. Sweat has been a trendy pick for the Lions, since he stood out at the Senior Bowl. 

With two third-round selections, the Lions elected to address both sides of the ball. First, it's Florida State cornerback Renardo Green with the No. 73 overall pick. Green fits well with the Lions' defense, as he played plenty of press-man coverage with the Seminoles last season. 

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With their second pick of the round, the Lions add to their depth on the interior with Boston College offensive guard Christian Mahogany. As both Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow are set to enter free agency, the Lions will benefit from adding depth to their offensive line. 

Without a pick in the fourth round and an inability to make trades in this simulation, the Lions return to the podium in the fifth round with the selection of Luke McCaffrey. 

The brother of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, the Rice product is a converted quarterback who has excelled at the wide receiver position in recent years. His athletic pedigree, paired with a proven ability to be an offensive playmaker, makes him an intriguing choice on Day 3 of the draft. 

Depth is the theme for the Lions' final two picks. In the sixth round, the Lions select Stanford kicker Joshua Karty to compete with Michael Badgley. Karty was 51-for-60 in his college career on field-goal attempts, and he made a 61-yard kick in 2022. 

With their final selection, the Lions once again target the interior with the selection of Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini. 

Detroit Lions 2024 NFL Mock Draft simulation