The Detroit Lions came away with a grand total of six players in the 2024 NFL Draft, and while the hope is that all of them will contribute in some way during their respective rookie campaigns, the truth is some will make much more of an impact than others.
Typically, the earlier the draft pick, the quicker the player will be able to contribute, but as we ranked the Lions’ 2024 NFL draft picks based on potential impact in Year 1, one late selection bucked the trend.
Find out who that is and our full rankings of Lions draft picks based on potential impact in Year 1 below.
Ranking Lions 2024 NFL draft picks
1. CB Terrion Arnold
The Lions still have to fill a starting spot opposite Carlton Davis and I’d peg Arnold as the favorite for that spot. There’s also a slight chance Arnold will work out of the slot if the Lions want to move Brian Branch to safety, so Arnold has multiple avenues to start in Year 1.
2. CB Ennis Rakestraw
Like Arnold, Rakestraw has inside/outside versatility and could potentially start from either spot. His best chance to play might come in tandem with the Lions moving Branch out of the slot. In that scenario, Rakestraw would work over the middle and Arnold would start on the outside. However, if it comes down to Rakestraw and Arnold on the boundary, the edge goes to the latter.
3. G Christian Mahogany
Mahogany was tremendous value in the sixth round and should be ready to contribute sooner rather than later, and likely sooner than fourth-round pick and fellow offensive lineman Giovanni Manu will be (more on that shortly). Detroit doesn’t have any starting spots available upfront, but Mahogany could see snaps if either guard gets injured, or if Frank Ragnow gets injured and Graham Glasgow moves to center.
4. S/RB Sione Vaki
While I don’t think Vaki is going to see many (if any) snaps on offense or defense, depending on where the Lions play him (running back or safety), he should play on both sides of special teams and may even work his way into a returner role.
5. DL Mekhi Wingo
The Lions have two very good starters and some solid depth pieces on the. Wingo was great value in the sixth round but his snaps will be extremely limited on defense, if he gets any at all.
6. OL Giovanni Manu
Manu was billed as an offensive tackle coming out, and while he may very well end up there when it’s all said and done, he revealed that the Lions are planning on playing him at guard to start. Such a transition is going to take time, which means we may not see him upfront at all in 2024.
