Detroit Lions Mock Draft: Who Are Experts Saying the Lions Will Draft?

As the NFL Draft continues to get closer, fans and NFL insiders and draft experts are looking at all 32 NFL teams to see what player fits each team current roster. March 13 marks the beginning of the new NFL season and free agency.

As of right now, Mock draft season is in full swing as the NFL world tries to predict where players will end up in the draft. A great deal of information about prospects is coming out at an accelerated pace as the world attempts to predict what college superstars will do at the next level, what teams intend to do with the franchise, and when certain names will be called to walk across that stage that will soon be located somewhere between Campus Martius and Hart Plaza on April 25th.

After a trip to the NFC Championship game the last season the Detroit Lions find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Barring any trades from general manager Brad Holmes, Detroit will make its first pick at No. 29, where it has held a top-10 pick for much of his career. The Lions are scheduled to draft seven players over seven rounds. Following those reminders, here are the Lions' upcoming first-round pick predictions, including those by Free Press' Dave Birkett.

These picks are likely to change as the the draft gets closer, but right now according to Birkett, the Lions will draft cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out of Missouri in the first round. Birkett, who is listed as a 6-foot 188 pound corner who declared for the draft after starting for three years at outside corner in the SEC. In a mock draft posted on YouTube, Brad Spielberger, Trevor Sikkema, Sam Monson, and Steve Palazzolo also predicted Rakestraw would be a Lion. Outside of the impressive play from the Lions safeties, the secondary was a weak sport for the team last season so you can bet the will be looking to bolster it this offseason.

Daniel Jeremiah, who has been doing mock drafts for NFL.com this offseason, chose West Virginia's interior offensive lineman Zach Frazier as Detroit's possible first offensive pick. ESPN's Filed yates and Matt Miller have the Lions taking Canton native Darius Robinson out of Missouri or Laiatu Latu out of UCLA in the Lions first round selection.

As you can tell the Lions will have a lot of work to do before April as there are many needs the team will need to fill before the beginning of the 2024 season.

It's the offseason for the NFL, but you'd never know it with so much excitement happening. From a crazy free agency period to seeing major players come and go, it's been an exciting March. Things will only get more exciting in April with the NFL Draft, to boot.

Now, the official dates and more for the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit have been revealed. Read on for the full details.

The NFL Draft for 2024 is set to take place April 25-27 in Downtown Detroit. The Draft will bring together some major faces in college and professional football, all gathering in the Motor City, with the event set for the area around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Hundreds of thousands of fans from around the US are projected to come.

“It's another great day in the Detroit region, with the official announcement of dates for the 2024 NFL Draft,” said Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari said in a statement. “Fans locally and across the nation can now mark their calendars and plan their visit for a celebration of football and Detroit hospitality. Planning will intensify and we will continue to collaborate with the City of Detroit, the Detroit Lions, Downtown Detroit Partnership and other key stakeholders to ensure the event creates a beneficial lasting legacy for all members of our community.”

“We are thrilled to bring the 2024 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light to Detroit, a tremendous hub of sports and culture,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business, League Events and International. “With the Lions’ passionate fanbase and incredible local partners, we know the Motor City will make an unforgettable Draft experience as we celebrate all 32 teams, the Draft prospects, and the future of football.”

According to officials, the NFL Draft Experience – the NFL's interactive football theme park – will be available for all three days of the draft. Fans will be able to play games, view interactive exhibits, partake in autograph sessions and take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

"Detroiters have shown many times our ability to put on highly successful national events and we will be ready again to welcome the world next April,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. “Next year's NFL Draft is going be an incredible opportunity for hundreds of thousands of visitors to see the progress our city is making.”

“We are excited to be partnering with the city of Detroit and the NFL to bring the 2024 NFL Draft to Detroit,” Detroit Lions President & CEO Rod Wood added. “We look forward to showcasing the culture, energy, and passion of our vibrant downtown as a part of one of the NFL’s marquee annual events.”

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