Sunday, April 28, 2024

2024 Detroit Lions Undrafted free agents

 

Isaiah Williams WR Illinois 
47/34 g/GS 214/2304/14 rec
103/509/3 rush 30/75/3 445 yards 5 td pass 27/247 pr
Combine/Pro Day: 5092 182 4.63 4.57 13 38" 1008 6.75 4.11
Contract: 3 years $240,000 guaranteed
Hometown: St. Louis
Age 23



Jalon Calhoun WR Duke
61 games 58 starts 253/3026/17 rec 26/258 pr
5097 186 4.64 11 34 1000 7.44 4.47
Greenville, SC

Isaac Rex TE BYU
52/38 112/1385/24 rec
6073 247 4.94 24 27" 7.35 5
San Clemente, CA

Kingsley Eguakan OC Florida 
44 games 30 starts
6032 304 26 32" 901 4.51 7.57
Jacksonville, FL


Duke Clemens OC UCLA
52 games 45 starts
6027 302 5.11 26 29" 810 7.66 4.7
Contract: 3 years $60,000 guaranteed
Kailua, HI

Bryan Hudson OC Louisville
6043 300 5.3 29" 905 7.46 4.53
Georgetown, KY

Isaac Ukwu DE Ole Miss
Ole Miss 13 G 5 GS 30 tackles 3.5 sacks
James Madison 28 G 25 GS 88 tackles 16.5 Sacks
6025 261 4.88 29 36" 911 7.35 4.5
Contract: 3 years $35,000 gauranteed
Upper Marlboro, MD

Nate Lynn DE William & Mary
48 games 33 starts 265 tackles 28 sacks 12 FF
6026 253 4.82 20 30.5 906 7.43 4.62
Hometown: Charlotte
Age 22

Steele Chambers LB Ohio State
50 games 30 starts 208 tackles 3 sacks 4 int 28/221/1 rush
6007 229 4.75 19 33.5" 907 7.1 4.23
Hometown: Roswell, GA
Age 24

DaRon Gilbert LB Northern Illinois
Northern Illnois 13 Starts 52 tackles 0.5 sack
Lafayette 33/30 136 tackles 2/28 int
6011 214 4.72 14 34" 907 7.22 4.45
Birmingham Brother Rice

Morice Norris CB Fresno State
Fresno State 27/24 113 tackles 4.5 sacks 2/11 int
Orange County JC 15 games 35 tackles 1/19 int
5102 181 4.56 10 38 1004 6.96 4.18
Fresno, CA

Loren Strickland S Ball State
Ball State 23/5 50 tackles 1 sack
Indianapolis 29 games 84 tackles 1/40/1 int
5091 199 4.56 18 38 1005 6.95 4.4
Carpentersville, IL

Chelen Garnes S Wake Forest
Wake Forest 33/24 145 tackles 1 int 4.5 sacks
Navy 13 games 11 tackles 2 int 
5096 199 4.57 18 37 910 7.03 4.32
Waldorf, MD

Hogan Hatton LS Idaho
49 games 50 tackles 3 sacks 3 PBU
6013 238 4.83 18 36" 7.15 4.5
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

James Turner K Michigan
Michigan 15 games 18/21 G 65/66 Xp
Louisville 42 games 47/69 FG 124/127 XP
5117 190
Saline, MI

Tryout
Cade Peterson QB GVSU
505/836/26 7231 yards 67 td 326/1686/21 rush 12/457/38.1 punt
6043 222 4.86 30 910 4.55 7.61
Hometown: Maple City,  MI

Theo Day QB Northern Iowa
33 games 569/936/32 8276 58 td
2 g 2/3 12 yards pass Michigan State
6054 224  4.81    35" 905 7.25 4.53
Hometown: Dearborn Divine Child


Michael Herzog RB Hillsdale
30 games 430/2273/29 27/177 rec 57/1064/0 KR
5082    201  4.65 37 1001 7.28 4.29
Windsor, ON

Josh Landry DT Missouri
Missouri 25 games 45 tackles 0.5 sack
Baylor 24 games 17 tackles 3 sacks
6026 285 5.06 24 30.5" 810 8.08 4.63
Hometown: Houston

Veteran

TJ Smith DT
4th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit
2024 Free Agent Vikings
2020 UDFA Chargers
NFL Stats 4 games 11 tackles
College: Arkansas 34 games 75 tackles 5 sacks 1 FF
Pro Day: 6025 296 5 29 30.5" 904 7.47 4.59
Hometown: Moultrie, GA
Age: 27



Friday, April 26, 2024

2024 Detroit Lions draft analysis

 


Round # 1 Pick # 24



Terrion Arnold CB Alabama 5116  188 4.5 4.53 37" 35.5" 1009 6.69 4.24 
25 games 21 starts 108 tackles 6 int 1ff 26 PBU
Hometown: Tallahassee 
Age 21

Analysis:
The Lions trade their 3rd round pick to get #24 to draft Arnold. Arnold has good length and quickness. He plays the ball well in the air and is a solid tackler. I rated him the third best CB in this years draft. The reason is a lack of long speed. He ran 4.5 at the combine and 4.53 at his pro day. I like the corners to be sub 4.45. Hopefully his quickness and ball skills will make up for the lack of speed.

Pro Football Focus scored him 88.3 grade. 41/79/5 441 yards 2 touchdowns when targeted in 2023. 

Round # 2 Pick #61 
Ennis Rakestraw CB Missouri 5117 187  4.51 4.56 13 1000  4.38 
36 games 32 starts 106 tackles 1 int 24 PBU 3 FF
Hometown: West Dallas, TX
Age: 22

Analysis:
Described as tough competitive player. Ennis does not have the desired athletic profile for an NFL corner. 4.51 at the combine and 4.56 at his pro day are a red flag. Weighing in at under 190 lbs and with one career interception is as well. He has a history injury concerns including a torn ACL and groin injury that limited him this last season. 

He makes up for it with a physical approach to the game. Should contribute immediately on special teams.  Once again it comes down to can run well enough to cover NFL receivers. Both Daniel Jeremiah and Pro Football Focus were very high on his film. Jeremiah ranked him # 32 overall and Pro Football Focus at # 46.

Pro Football Focus scored him at 80.7 overall. 18/28/0 197 yards 1 td when targeted.

Other Lions CB 40 times
Carlton Davis 4.53 Combine 4.44 Pro Day
Kindle Vildor 4.44 Combine
Cam Sutton 4.52 Combine
Jerry Jacobs 4.53 pro day
Mike Hughes 4.53 Combine
Teez Tabor 4.62 Combine
Dre Bly 4.51 Combine
Alex Carter 4.51 Combine
Nevin Lawson 4.48 Combine
Alphonso Smith 4.47 Combine
Bill Bentley 4.42 Combine
Stanley Wilson 4.39 C
Eric Wright 4.37 C
Chris Houston 4.37 C
Darius Slay 4.36 C
Jeff Okudah 4.48 c

Round 4 Pick # 126
Giovanni Manu OT British Columbia 6073 352 5.06 23 33.5" 811 8.29 4.81
39 starts (32 left tackle 6 left guard)
Hometown: Pitts Meadow British Columbia
Age: 23

Analysis:
A raw player from Canada. He has rare size and good athletic ability. 34 5/8" arms. He struggles at the agility tests. Has time to develop behind Zeitler and will be groomed to play right guard. Giving up a third round pick was costly price to pay but if he develops into a quality starter it will be worth it.

Round 4 Pick # 132
Sione Vaki RB Utah 5111 213 4.62 4.51 20 39.5" 1005 7.16 4.28
26 games 17 starts 92 tackles 1 int 42/317/2 rush 11/203/3 rec 
Hometown: Antioch, CA
Age: 23 years old

Analysis:
A two player at Utah. Started at safety but made a big impact as ball carrier and receiver. The Lions will use him on offense where he has shown great hands. His primary role will be on special teams. He can cover and return. My man Master P was on this guy from the combine. He would send me highlights and tell me much how much he would fit in Detroit.

Round 6 Pick # 189
Mekhi Wingo DT LSU 6002 286 4.85 28 31.5" 801 7.33 4.45
LSU 22/20 51 tackles 7.5 sacks
Missouri 12/4 27 tackles 1 sack 1/40/1 int
Hometown: St. Louis
Age 21

Analysis:
Undersized but quick 3 technique tackle. Made an impact as a pass rusher. Wore the # 18 at LSU as tribute to his team play. Has upside as he will play this season at 21 years old. Was rated as the #9 defensive tackle by Dana Bulger. 

Round 6 Pick # 210
Christian Mahogany OG Boston College 6033 316 5.13 32.5"901 7.81 4.53
34 starts
Hometown: Elmwood Park, NJ
Age 24

Analysis:
A tough run blocking right guard. Missed 2022 with a torn ACL but started all 12 games last season. Rated as the # 7 guard by Dana Bulger, has starter potential for the Lions.

Overall:

The Lions brought in their guys. Tough, physical players. The big question will be can the corners run well enough to be effective in man coverage. Manu is a developmental project. Vaki helps on special teams. Wingo and Mahogany both have starter potential.




Saturday, April 20, 2024

2024 Detroit Lions Draft Preview Overview

 


These are the top guys in the draft. These guys should begone in the top 15.


This group I would consider drafting at # 29 for the Lions


My first pick of this group would DeJean. Followed by Barton. DeJean adds size and speed outside. Barton could start at guard or center down the line. Fautanu is a guard while Guyton can play either position. Latu is medical risk. Robinson gives you a true speed rusher. Arnold is scary because he is a little slow. 


This group I would consider drafting in the Round # 2

Powers-Johnson is probably not making into the mid second round. Some interesting lineman should be available. McKinstry I feel has to play inside in the NFL. 


This group I would consider in the 3rd round



McCormick is a guy I have my eye on. 70 games of experience. Pritchett is my favorite CB. has tools needs coaching. 

Friday, April 19, 2024

2024 Detroit Lions draft preview defensive backs

 


Detroit Lions need a outside corner to play this season. The problem with this crop is the guys who can run won't tackle and the guys who will tackle can't run. Complete players are at a premium. I get nervous when guys run in the 4.5s. Jeff Okudah ran 4.48 and was too slow.

 A third safety would be a in play in third round or later. Someone who can add depth and play the special teams. 

Corner



Safety



2024 Detroit Lions Draft Preview Defensive Line/Linebacker

 

Detroit Lions could use a interior lineman and and edge player. Interior line should be more of a 3 technique while the edge should be a speed rusher. The linebacker room could use a young guy who can play on the special teams 

Edge


Interior


Linebacker




2024 Detroit Lions Draft Preview WR/TE

 

Lions could draft a receiver to replace Josh Reynolds. A pretty deep class with quality available throughout the draft. 




Guys I Like:

Adonai Mitchell Texas 6022 205

Xavier Legette South Carolina 6010 221

Jalen McMillan Washington 6010 197

Tight End

Lions might want to bring in a guy to challenge James Mitchell or H-back to replace Jason Cabinda.
A third day selection would make the most sense.









Thursday, April 18, 2024

2024 Detroit Lions Draft Preview QB/RB

 


I did not spend a of of time on the quarterbacks nor running backs. I do not need think the Lions need to select either.


QB


Guys I Like:

Spencer Rattler South Carolina

I saw a lot of him in 2022. I thought he had a strong arm and could make off schedule plays. His team was not very good this year but he has talent. 

RB


This class has some guys that can be part of the rotation. Brooks is interesting coming off the ACL injury. I like BEnson the best. HE has some speed and power. Not very shifty.