The Detroit Lions are roundly being declared a big winner from the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, getting the top-ranked cornerback for many analysts (Terrion Arnold) after a trade up to No. 24 overall.
But the Lions also gave up a third-round pick (No. 73 overall) in the deal to get Arnold. Coupled with the March trade to get Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they now have zero third-round picks and just one pick left on Day 2 of the draft (No. 61 overall). Barring a trade that would add a Day 2 pick, which feels unlikely but is possible, of course.
Barring a trade to add a pick, the Lions really have to hit on their one Day 2, late-second round pick. There should be plenty of confidence they will, but it still has to be done.
Here are three positions the Lions should focus on in Day 2 of the draft.
3 positions Detroit Lions should hone in on during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft
Edge Rusher
The top edge rushers are gone, but there are still some good ones available going into Day 2 (Marshawn Kneeland, Chris Braswell, Adisa Isaac, Bralen Trice, Jalyx Hunt, Jonah Elliss, Austin Booker, Mohamed Kamara).
The Lions signed Marcus Davenport in free agency and a healthy James Houston should be a factor , but adding an edge rusher in this draft should be a priority. Pick No. 61 may be a
Offensive Line
The interior of the Lions' offensive line is generally older, and one guy in particular may be close to retirement. Plenty of offensive lineman were take in the first round, but only one sheer interior lineman (Graham Barton) was selected. So Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon), Zach Frazier (West Virginia), Cooper Beebe (Kansas State), Christian Mahogany (Boston College), Christian Haynes (UConn) and Mason McCormick (South Dakota State) are available.
A trade up to get Frazier, in particular, may make sense for the Lions.
Wide Receiver ("X" Receiver)
The Lions have Amon-Ra St. Brown then a lot of question marks at wide receiver. Everyone expects Jameson Williams to fully emerge, but a draft pick to replace the departed Josh Reynolds immediately/down the road might be nice. In a more narrow sense, the Lions' offense is missing a big-bodied "X" receiver.
Keon Coleman (Florida State), Troy Franklin (Oregon), Devontez Walker (North Carolina) and Johnny Wilson (Florida State) may be on the radar for Day 2.