Roundtable: Lions' Draft Crushes

Examining potential 2024 draft crushes for Brad Holmes.

1.) Who is your early draft crush for the Lions?

Christian Booher: I have two prospects that have caught my eye early in the draft process, when it comes to potential fit with the Detroit Lions. The first is Arkansas offensive lineman Beaux Limmer, while the second is UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. 

With Limmer, there is a lot of versatility, with regards to the positions he can play. He played both guard spots, and potentially can line up at center. That flexibility is an appealing quality, and with both of Detroit’s starting guards set to be free agents, there is a natural fit. 

As for Latu, he has the deepest bag of pass-rush moves of any prospect, in my opinion. He dominated at UCLA, and has the ability to win with his hands and bend around the edge. The biggest concern with him is his medicals, and if he passes his checks, he likely won’t be available by the time Detroit is on the clock at No. 29 overall.   

Vito Chirco: I'll go with a guy I've already profiled for All Lions: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell. I know at this juncture, there's not a high likelihood that he falls to the Lions at No. 29 overall. But, I do know that he'd provide a big boost to Detroit's beleaguered cornerbacks room. 

Mitchell notably allowed a passer rating of just 34.8 and 51.1 in 2022 and 2023, as well as earned high marks from Pro Football Focus in both seasons. He received a 92.5 overall grade from PFF in 2022, plus a 91.5 overall mark in his final season at Toledo. 

If Mitchell were to drop, he'd be a great value pick for the Lions. And, to me, he'd be an impact player for Aaron Glenn's defense come day one of the 2024 season.

2.) Is there a free agent you hope ends up on the Lions in 2024? 

Booher: I have an interesting take on free agency. With so many players due for extensions in the coming years, I’d like the Lions to use free agency to bring in experienced talents on shorter contracts, as they try to maximize their Super Bowl window. 

As a result, I don’t have many big-name free agents who I hope to see with the Lions. I’m trusting Brad Holmes' judgement to navigate this segment of the offseason. I think Brian Burns will likely be retained by Carolina, but if he becomes available, then that is the type of splash I would hope the Lions would make. 

Chirco: I know it's a bit of a pipe dream. But, if I were Brad Holmes and money weren't an object, I'd target wide receiver Mike Evans. 

I know receiver isn't as big of a need as multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball (namely cornerback and EDGE). 

However, I believe adding Evans would do wonders for an already potent Lions passing attack. 

Evans, who has amassed 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his first 10 NFL seasons, would provide Detroit with an ultra reliable vertical threat. He and Amon-Ra St. Brown would form a dynamic one-two punch, and allow Jameson Williams to slide into the role of the team's No. 3 receiver. To me, that would be a pretty formidable trio of receiving options for Jared Goff. 

And, I'm convinced that the “cherry on top” for the team's receiving corps would be bringing back Josh Reynolds on a short-term deal. Reynolds would be a great No. 4 receiver to have, behind St. Brown, Evans and “Jamo.”

3.) If you were Lions quarterback, what would you buy the offensive line? 

Booher: I'm admittedly not as much into the fashion world, but I can see how watches are an excellent gift. However, I think I would approach it from a slightly different angle. I would’ve gone with an individual approach, polling the group and getting each person a beneficial gift that they needed, as opposed to getting everyone the same thing. It would take away from the surprise factor, but individualizing these gifts would also have a very meaningful effect. 

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Chirco: I would buy my linemen some nice-sized, high-end travel bags, with their names imprinted on them. They could use the bags for a trip with the family or a road trip during the NFL season. 

Now, I've got a couple questions for all you All Lions readers: What brand of travel bags would you recommend I get in such a scenario, and how much would the bags run me? Because to be honest, I have completely no idea.

4.) If you had one Lions player you could invite to your Super Bowl party, who would it be? 

Booher: I’m going to go with Teddy Bridgewater, who may not count in the eyes of some, given he’s set to retire. However, I think Bridgewater’s story is fascinating, and he is very well-respected across the league. Listening to his experience while watching the big game would be a fun experience. 

He has a vast array of experience across different schemes and playing for different coaches. Additionally, he sees the game through the lens of a quarterback, and could provide a fun analysis of the game. 

Chirco: I'd choose to party with Amon-Ra St. Brown. I'd love to hear all about his podcast with his brother, Equanimeous, plus Amon-Ra's journey to the NFL, being unheralded and overlooked by NFL teams coming out of USC and how he's overcome all of it to become an All-Pro receiver. I think all of the above would make for a fascinating conversation. And, he also seems like a genuinely fun guy who I could have a “brew” with and have a good time with watching the game.

5. Who wins the Super Bowl?

Booher: I'm not ready to anoint Patrick Mahomes as the greatest of all-time quite yet, but he’s certainly making a compelling case. He just wins, plain and simple. Until a team is able to knock him off, it’s so hard to even consider betting against him. 

The 49ers’ defense will pose a challenge, but I simply see the presence of Mahomes as a factor that is difficult for them to overcome. San Francisco flashes early with its offense and keeps it close, but Mahomes does Mahomes things on a game-winning drive that begins with under 2:00 remaining. Chiefs win, 27-24. 

Chirco: I truly could see the Super Bowl going either way. But, in the end, I believe two-time Super Bowl champions Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will outperform the 49ers’ Brock Purdy and George Kittle. And, I also think that the likes of Chris Jones, George Karlaftis and Mike Danna will get just enough pressure on Purdy to allow Kansas City to secure a second consecutive Super Bowl title.