A pick-by-pick look at Lions' six selections in NFL Draft

Author of the article:

Jim Parker • Windsor Star

Published Apr 28, 2024 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 4 minute read

The Detroit Lions made University of British Columbia offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (No.76) the first Canadian university player drafted by and NFL team since 2016. Photo by Bob Frid /Bob Frid

Detroit Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes has earned some latitude.

After building the team into a division champion in three seasons, Holmes has never been afraid to go against norms in the NFL Draft, which drew a record 775,000 fans to Detroit this year.

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It’s played a big role in filling holes and finding stars on the current roster, but Holmes has never been afraid to go against the so called ‘experts’ when it comes to selecting.

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“I know we’re a better football team,” Holmes said. “Now, to take that next step, it’s going to be really up to them.

“Now, we’re going to do our part and make sure that they’re surrounded with resources to be set up for success with their development, but those guys got to compete.”

Following is a look at Detroit’s six selections in the three-day draft with background on each and comments from Holmes.

Round 1 (24th overall) – Terrion Arnold, cornerback, University of Alabama, six-foot-, 189 pounds.

Skinny – Lions traded a third-round pick to Dallas to move up five spots to grab Arnold. In a first-round that slanted heavily to offence, Detroit got a potential first-year starter. He started all 14 games at Alabama last season and was a first-team All-American selection by the Associated Press. He was named first-team all-SEC while finishing tied for sixth in college football with five interceptions and tied for fifth with 17 passes defended that featured 12 pass breakups.

Quote – “He’s got a high ceiling,” Holmes said. “He’s a sticky corner, he’ll tackle, he’s got good size and length. Again, we’re just really thrilled with how it fell this way.”

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Round 2 (61st overall) – Ennis Rakestraw Jr., cornerback, University of Missouri, six-foot and 188 pounds.

Skinny – Lions select back-to-back cornerbacks at the top of the draft for the first time since grabbing Bryan Westbrook (at No. 5) in the first round and Kevin Abrams (No. 54) in the second round in 1997. Considered a late first-round prospect going into the draft, Rakestraw Jr. started eight-of-nine gams as a junior in 2023 and had 35 tackles and four breakups, but missed four games with a groin injury.

Quote – “Again, it’s something that we’ve always been trying to find that future at that position and it just never really matched up,” Holmes said. “It’s not anything that we’ve been ignoring or anything, it just really hadn’t been lined up. Super ecstatic that we finally got some future and youth at that position.”

Round 4 (126 overall) – Giovanni Manu, offensive tackle, University of British Columbia, six-foot-seven and 352 pounds.

Skinny – Tonga native moved to Canada when he was 11. Lions traded a third-round pick in 2025 to the New York Jets to obtain this pick and make him the first Canadian university athlete drafted since 2016. Shone at school’s pro day with a running his 40-yard dash in 5.03 seconds.

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Quote – “We were so blown away just (by) his makeup, his character, the way he’s wired and he’s got a lot of upside,” Holmes said. “This is more of a down-the-road future deal, but the upside is enormous. Just really, really excited to work with him.”

Round 4 (132nd overall) – Sione Vaki, running back/safety, University of Utah, six-foot and 208 pounds.

Skinny – In a deal with Philadelphia that also included pick 210 in the sixth round, the Lions gave up a fourth-round pick (164) and a fourth-round pick in 2025. Vaki started 14 games and made 41 tackles with three pass breakups and a forced fumble. Injuries saw him fill in at running back and wildcat quarterback. Lions see him as a running back and a potential special teams standout.

Quote – “We thought he was one of the better special teams players in the this entire draft (in) all four phases of special teams,” Holmes said. “He’s a very unique player. Again, it’s nothing saying that he cannot play safety, but our vision of what he could become as a runner, really it starts with special teams.”

Round 6 (189 overall) – Mekhi Wingo, defensive tackle, Louisiana State University, six-foot-one and 291 pounds.

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Skinny – In a trade with Houston, the Lions traded two seventh-round picks (no. 205 and No. 249) to get the selection. A team captain, Wingo missed the final five games with a groin injury, but returned for LSU’s bowl game and had two sacks. His 40-yard dash time of 4.85 seconds at the NFL Draft Combine was the second fastest of any player at the position.

Quote – “Wingo, he’s got a lot of good stuff on tape as an edge rusher actually, surprisingly,” Holmes said. “His sub-rush is pretty impressive. Not saying that he can’t play base down inside because he can do that as well.”

Round 6 (210 overall) – Christian Mahogany, guard, Boston College, six-foot-three and 322 pounds.

Skinny – A three-year starter, Mahogany played left guard in 2020 before moving to right guard. He did not allow a sack in 2023 and just one quarterback pressure. Most experts projected him as a third-round pick.

Quote – “He fits how we want to play and he’s a tough (and) physical,” Holmes said. “He’s got some dirtbag in him and he’s just one of those tough (New) Jersey kids that doesn’t take a lot of crap.”

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