5 draft prospects the Detroit Lions should easily avoid in 2024 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions are in a position they are not used to, holding the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It's the first time their first draft pick is outside the top-20 since 2017, but the way things are looking they'll be picking in the 20's (or later) for a little while.

In his pre-draft press conference, via SI.com, Lions general manager Brad Holmes once again reinforced that he will not be handcuffed to needs in this year's draft. The roster being as good as it is further bolsters the ongoing philosophy to take the best player available.

"Really, with where the roster is now, I actually think you have more flexibility to not be anchored into a need.... We feel like we did a great job in free agency and we're in position to go in whichever direction we want to go. I actually get more comfort of how the roster is now, it's less of, 'We really need this.' No, it's even more -- we've always had best player and it's more emphasized now."

In a general sense, there are positions the Lions could stand to add to in this year's draft, with an eye on the present and the future (cornerback, wide receiver, edge rusher, offensive line). But as a tentacle of that there are prospects at those positions who don't look like a good fit, in one way or another, and the Lions value certain traits highly right alongside a player's talent.

With some favoritism toward their first-round pick, and higher picks in general, here are five draft prospects the Lions should easily avoid taking in the 2024 draft.

5 prospects the Lions should easily avoid in the 2024 NFL Draft

5. Texas WR Xavier Worthy

Worthy set a new NFL Combine record by running a 4.21-second 40-yard dash. But he should not be pigeonholed as a sheer speed demon. He produced very well at Texas, catching at least 60 passes in all three of his seasons in Austin with 26 touchdowns. He also lined up outside and in the slot, and was used differently year-over-year (17.6 average depth of target in 2022; 10.3 aDOT in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus).

But Worthy is a small receiver (5-foot-11, 165 pounds), and overall his route tree is not fully developed. He is simply not a contested catch guy, since he will lose those battles due to his lack of size.

There is a receiver out of the University of Texas who may be a fit for the Lions early in this draft. But it's not Worthy, who looks like a smaller version of Jameson Williams with an overlapping skill set.