With the 29th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Lions select....

[jaadam4]

That was such an epic joke

[chemiclord]

Hutchinson was dealing, not using.

Ah right. My mistake.

[El Axe]

Paywall article from tonight's News.

2024 Lions draft preview: Team still searching for viable Hutchinson complement


Justin Rogers
The Detroit News



Over the next several days, leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions’ roster and evaluating how the team might address each unit. Today: Edge defenders.


▶ Current roster: Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, James Houston, Marcus Davenport, Mathieu Betts, Mitchell Agude

▶ Short-term need: Five out of 10


▶ Long-term need: Eight out of 10

▶ Top prospects: Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson


▶ Day 2 options: Marshawn Kneeland, Darius Robinson, Chris Braswell, Bralen Trice, Jonah Elliss

▶ Late-round considerations: Jalyx Hunt, Brennan Jackson, Eric Watts, Myles Cole



▶ Analysis: It may surprise you to learn the Lions led the NFL in pressure rate, and finished second in quarterback knockdowns last season. That's because the defense struggled to translate its ability to affect the pocket into sacks. The team's 41 sacks ranked in the bottom 10 in the league for 2023.

Detroit's reliance on the blitz did factor into its lofty pressure rate. With effective situational rushers such as Alex Anzalone, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Brian Branch, the defense could undoubtedly be disruptive when coordinator Aaron Glenn opted to bring extra heat, particularly on third downs.



But traditional pass-rush success was more elusive. Obviously, Aidan Hutchinson has held up his end of the bargain the two years since he was selected No. 2 overall in the draft. Despite some lulls between sacks in his second season, he finished with a respectable 11.5, while only Dallas' Micah Parson generated more total pressures.

But the Lions have struggled to find a consistent threat opposite their young star. Charles Harris, returning from an injury-plagued 2022 season, got the first crack at starting opposite Hutchinson. After a handful of games, the defensive captain's role rapidly shrunk, and by the end of the season, he was barely playing. The team leaned more on John Cominsky and Josh Paschal down the stretch, but the two combined for just 3.0 sacks, despite playing more than 1,100 defensive snaps between them.



Many anticipated James Houston could be the solution after a brilliant rookie campaign, when he racked up 8.0 sacks in just seven games. But after spending most of training camp repping with the third-string defense, he suffered a broken ankle two games into the year, shelving him for the remainder of the regular season.


Seeking a stop-gap solution to the production void, the Lions are rolling the dice on Marcus Davenport, signing the former first-round pick to a one-year deal in free agency. The coaching staff has a grasp on what he can offer from their overlapping time in New Orleans, and his 9.0 sacks and 42 pressures in 2021 would be welcomed. That said, he's been a mixture of ineffective and hurt the two years since. A return to his former levels of performance would unquestionably be huge.

The Lions aren't going to abandon trying to find the right mix from the options already on the roster, but there's obvious opportunity for fresh blood to come in and make an impact. It just won't be easy to find it in this draft.


With the 29th pick, the Lions aren't likely to be in the mix for Turner, who probably has the highest ceiling in the class. And it's difficult to see Verse sliding, like some speculated he might in the early stages of the pre-draft process. An impressive showing at the combine, combined with a thin crop of talent at the position, should keep him in the top 20.

The Lions could have a chance at Latu, a well-proportioned, highly productive option who was nearly forced to quit the game because of a neck injury a couple of years back. Alternatively, there's Chop Robinson, who doesn't project as an immediate three-down player, but has potential to be an impact pass-rusher thanks to an incredibly explosive get-off paired with good hand usage.


On Day 2, the Lions could look to add another piece stylistically similar to what they already have in Cominsky or Paschal. Both Darius Robinson and Trice have the requisite size to play inside and on the edge. And both have cultivated a reputation for playing with physicality and having a high motor.


Meanwhile, Elliss, the son of retired Lions defensive tackle Luther Elliss, has less schematic flexibility at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds. But as a pure pass-rusher, he has some juice, tallying 12.0 sacks for Utah in 2023.

If you wait for Day 3, you're likely looking at a specialized skill set or a developmental project. There are some intriguing athletes, including Hunt, out of bowl subdivision Houston Christian. But waiting to address edge rusher until that late in the draft is largely conceding you don't expect early defensive returns.


jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers

Mohamed Kamara & Nelson Ceasar are two better late-round edges that fit the Lions well. Kamara is recommended by both B077 and the NFL Stock Exchange -- two of the best at scouting players.

Kamara has Houston-like highlights. I think Jadaam & Forsh might like him. Would be a nice pickup at 164. Doubt he makes it to 201, but maybe.

[whatever_gong82]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/04/16/nfl-draft-preview-will-detroit-lions-finally-draft-kicker-special-teams-preview/73329275007/

[jaadam4]

▶ Analysis:It may surprise you to learn the Lions led the NFL in pressure rate, and finished second in quarterback knockdowns last season. That's because the defense struggled to translate its ability to affect the pocket into sacks. The team's 41 sacks ranked in the bottom 10 in the league for 2023

This is absolutely crazy.

[Mainevent]

How they address the pass rush is the most intriguing part of this upcoming draft.. Do they prioritize interior pressure over edge? If more edge pressure is the goal, do they want it from a traditional DE, and if so are they willing to sacrifice some stoutness for more pressure or look for the the big/long defenders with pass rush upside? Or do they want to add more true stand-up edge that but with ability to develop into a full time LB?

Who knows, maybe Holmes doesn't see the pass rush as that big of a concern as we do and will prioritize other things or just let the board play out without really focusing on it specifically.

[El Axe]

Jeff Risdon's 8 most likely Lions picks at 29. Risdon is a host and the draft expert from Detroit Lions Podcast. Also publishes for Lions Wire. He has some contacts in the business.

Darius Robinson
Jackson Powers-Johnson -- I don't think Jeff knows about JPJ's concusssion reports
Adonai Mitchell
Kool-Aid McKinstry
Cooper DeJean
Mike Sainristil -- note, he hears that Sainristil is very well regarded in NFL circles.
Marshawn Kneeland -- won't make it past pick 40, definitely not there at 61
Jordan Morgan -- Apparently, Lions interviewed him at Senior Bowl. I hadn't heard that before. So many interviews that go under the radar. I would actually love this pick. Great OL athlete who can play Tackle & Guard.

edit: bonus longshot: Tyler Nubin

Note: He doesn't think Barton or Thomas will be there, almost no chance. It implies that they would also be top choices.

[jaadam4]

Mohamed Kamara & Nelson Ceasar are two better late-round edges that fit the Lions well. Kamara is recommended by both B077 and the NFL Stock Exchange -- two of the best at scouting players.

Kamara has Houston-like highlights. I think Jadaam & Forsh might like him. Would be a nice pickup at 164. Doubt he makes it to 201, but maybe.

Kamara is definitely nice.

[Mainevent]

I'll tell you what, out of all the guys I follow that cover the Lions - beat writers, podcasters, whatever - they seem to constantly bring up Sainristil. In part, of course, it's because he's a local kid, national championship hero, and plays a position that's been deemed a need. But so does Kris Jenkins, so does Roman WIlson, and Zak Zinter. Those guys get a passing mention here and there, but almost every time it seems like Sainristil's name comes up. Usually they'll acknowledge that he may not be the greatest fit since he's a slot only guy and they have Branch. They all just seem to think he fits like a glove culture wise and the fact that he has ball skills, plays tough in the run game, etc.

[froot loops]

The Lions have made some comments about using Branch more as a safety. That would open up the nickel position.

One of my big thoughts on this draft is they are trying to trade up to get Mitchell or Arnold.

Failing that, I firmly believe Sainristil is in the mix for the Lions. I'm not sure at #29, maybe they move back.

The thinking is Mitchell and Arnold are the best outside corners and Sainristil is the best nickel corner.

[Mainevent]

Going up for Mitchell or Arnold is not going to be cheap though. I know they went up to get Jamo a couple of years ago but the Lions don't have a favorable 2nd rounder to work with this year.

I think you'd have to get into the top 12 for Mitchell at least. Arnold maybe a few picks later. Top 12 probably means their 2nd this year and a 2nd next year and maybe some filler, a bit less if one of them slides to 15+. Or even throwing next year's first in the mix.

[froot loops]

I agree it won't be cheap.

[Forsh]

This is absolutely crazy.

It's because they have good schemes and guys who can beat OL ... but little closing speed thus QB can avoid them or run away if they're mobile. James Houston has closing burst

[El Axe]

Going up for Mitchell or Arnold is not going to be cheap though. I know they went up to get Jamo a couple of years ago but the Lions don't have a favorable 2nd rounder to work with this year.

I think you'd have to get into the top 12 for Mitchell at least. Arnold maybe a few picks later. Top 12 probably means their 2nd this year and a 2nd next year and maybe some filler, a bit less if one of them slides to 15+. Or even throwing next year's first in the mix.

Yeah, I don't think they'd hesitate to package 29 & 61 -- which gets them to 18 or 19 depending on the value chart. Maybe Jacksonville takes it at 17 since they have so many holes on the roster. Adding next year's 3rd should get them to the Saints at 14. Adding a 2nd-only should get them to Minnesota (or whoever has the pick) at 11. These are all teams that should be open to dealing with us and have interest in acquiring more picks.

Whenever I do a mock draft and get to 61, it's like a dead spot for players that fit the Lions. 73 has pretty much the same players I want to draft at 61. I suspect that they don't stay at 61 whatever they do.

Personally, I don't mind if it's trading up for Arnold, but I'd much rather have Melton at 29 than use all that capital on Mitchell.

[El Axe]

Here's the trade I really want the Lions to do. It's very similar draft value:

Lions trade: 29 + 61 + 73 + 201
Redskins trade: 36 + 40 + 100 + 139

36 & 40 gives you a decent chance of two players from DEs Robinson/Kneeland, OT/OGs Morgan/Suamataia, CBs Melton/Rakestraw & WRs McConkey/Mitchell. All of those players would be significant roster upgrades at our targeted positions.

Also, I feel like I can get much the same player for the Lions roster at 100 as I can in the 61-73 range. A lot of CBs, OGs & WRs in that range that are good value.