It’s quite simple to look at the explosive offense of the Detroit Lions from the previous season and conclude that they’re set when it comes to developing that group, but neither the Lions nor I believe that to be true.
Although the Lions boast an elite running game, a superb tight end, a versatile player, and possibly the finest slot receiver in the league, they are devoid of a legitimate outside threat or a large, powerful wide receiver who can win contested passes or pose a threat in the red zone. In 2024 and beyond, I believe the Lions may be searching for that player who may emerge as their legitimate number two receiver. The Lions might very well select that in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, based on their recent performance.
For the Lions, Brad Holmes has had three draft selections, and he has been unreliable in each of them. Every draft, we all assumed that the Lions’ needs would be met early on, but almost often, the Lions would take a hard right away from them.
In 2021, it appeared as though the Lions would select a right tackle instead than a quarterback or receiver early. The Lions traded up for Jameson Williams in 2022 because they needed defensive support. The Lions used two of their first three picks to select Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023 in order to bolster their defensive line. Really, the only selection this squad made that seemed like it could be predicted ahead of time was Aidan Hutchinson.
While everyone is looking left at the Lions this season, it’s not unreasonable to believe that they take another right and seize another offensive weapon early. For this team, winning is everything; it doesn’t matter what other people think they should do. So far, it’s worked out fairly nicely.
There is receiving skill in this draft, no doubt about it. If the Lions want to advance once more, players like Oregon’s Troy Franklin, LSU’s Brian Thomas, Texas’ Adonai Mitchell, Florida State’s Keon Coleman, and Oregon’s Troy Franklin may all be there at 29 or in the 20s.
Although the Lions doing that would seem absurd, it’s clear that at this time we can’t rule out any position. When a guy makes the team happy, they will go after him.