Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions possess an impressive amount of momentum.

After finishing the 2024-23 NFL Season with a 9-8 record, Detroit possesses a total of five picks in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft.

With the secondary concerns effectively tackled during free agency, Detroit now presents a plethora of choices for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes to deliberate upon with their five early picks.

Mark your calendars for the April 27-29, 2024 NFL Draft.

Lions make surprising first round picks in NFL Draft

Many were taken aback by the unexpected first round choices made by the Detroit Lions.

The night for Detroit commenced with a trade, shifting from the 6th to the 12th overall pick, which also secured the Lions the 34th overall pick. Utilizing the 12th pick, the Lions opted for Jahmyr Gibbs, a running back from Alabama. Continuing their selections, the Lions chose Jack Campbell, a linebacker from Iowa, at the 18th pick.

Both picks seemed like a bit of a stretch, suggesting that their worth might be more suitable for a second-round pick or a later first-round pick. Nevertheless, it is clear that Brad Holmes will choose the players he prefers and must see potential in these two selections.

After a busy second round, Detroit now holds three picks. However, their next opportunity to make a selection won’t come until the completion of the second round, which is followed by a long wait until the fifth round.

• In the initial round, the twelfth overall pick was granted to RB Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama.
• In the initial round, the Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell was selected at the 18th overall position.
• Round two: Pick number 34, third overall.
• In the second round, the 48th overall pick is number 17.
• In the second round, the team acquired the 55th overall pick, which originally belonged to Minnesota, at No. 24.
• Round Five: Pick Number 18, 152nd selection overall.
• In the fifth round, we secured the 159th overall pick (originating from Atlanta) at No. 25.
• In the fifth round, with the 34th pick and 168th selection overall (originating from Arizona),
• In the sixth round, with the 183rd overall pick (acquired from Denver),
• Round six: Pick number 17, 194th overall.

Who were the top picks in 2024 NFL Draft

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the initial picks were dominated by quarterbacks, as three of them were chosen within the first four selections.

Take a glance at the first round’s top 10 picks from Thursday night.

1. Alabama’s quarterback, Bryce Young, hails from the state of Carolina.
2. Ohio State’s QB C.J. Stroud hails from Houston.
3. LB Will Anderson from Alabama is from Houston.
4. Anthony Richardson, the Florida quarterback, hails from Indianapolis.
5. Devon Witherspoon, a cornerback from Illinois, has been selected by the Seattle team.
6. Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State is chosen for Arizona.
7. Tyree Wilson, a defensive end from Texas Tech, is heading to Las Vegas.
8. Bijan Robinson, an RB from Texas, is heading to Atlanta.
9. Jalen Carter, a defensive tackle from Georgia, is headed to Philadelphia.
10. Darnell Wright, an OT from Tennessee, joins the Chicago team.

What mock drafts said about the Lions 2024 NFL Draft

According to the majority of NFL prognosticators in mock drafts, the No. 6 pick was expected to be used by the Detroit Lions to strengthen their defense.

Devon Witherspoon, the cornerback from Illinois, was widely projected to be chosen at No. 6 in numerous mock drafts and was favored by oddsmakers with -130 odds to go at that spot on Thursday morning. However, he ended up being selected at the fifth overall pick instead.

In regards to pick number 18, there was a wider distribution of choices. Defensive tackle, defensive back, and tight end were frequently chosen positions. However, the Lions ultimately decided to go with a linebacker.

Let’s take a glimpse into the 2024 mock drafts and see what they had to say about the Lions.

Mock Draft	No. 6 selection	No. 18 selection
Todd McShay, ESPN (April 27)	Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama	Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Mel Kiper, ESPN (April 27)	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois	Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Peter King, Pro Football Talk (April 24)	Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama	Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Mike O’Hara, Detroit Lions (April 26)	Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech	Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Logan Lamorandier, All Lions (April 26)	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois	Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (April 19)	CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State (Trade up to No. 2)	Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Danny Kelly, The Ringer (April 26)	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois	Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (April 25)	Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon	Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (April 27)	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois	Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (April 26)	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois	Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Charles Davis, NFL.com (April 26)	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois	Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Peter Schrager, NFL.com (April 27)	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois	Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

Lions to host 2024 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft will be hosted by the Detroit Lions in only one year from now.

On March 28, 2024, the league declared that the Lions’ home would have the privilege of hosting the three-day event in 2024.

“In a statement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with the Lions and their partners to host the 2024 NFL Draft in the Motor City. He acknowledged the draft’s growing significance as an offseason event nationwide and praised the collective efforts of Visit Detroit, the Detroit Sports Commission, and the City of Detroit. Goodell anticipated an exceptional three-day experience for the passionate fan base of the Lions and all visitors.”

The announcement of the Lions being featured in the 2024 edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks coincided with news about Dan Campbell and his tough coaching approach getting significant attention.

The revitalized downtown will be the focal point for the draft, with the draft and the NFL Draft Experience event taking place in the vicinity of Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.