Detroit Lions 4-round mock draft: Building up the defense with focused intention

In the not-too-distant past, mock draft season for the next draft when it came to the Detroit Lions basically started when Thanksgiving arrived, or soon after. This year, as the NFL Combine approaches, we've only done two mock drafts. A deep playoff run will tend put the focus on other things, and it's an easy trade-off.

But now it's fully the offseason, and officially mock draft season.

Full seven-round mocks are fun, but in the interest of mixing it up once in a while going a little shorter makes sense. The Lions have four top-100 picks in April's draft, so this week we put the focus on those picks and the first four rounds. If there are immediate difference makers to be found in this year's draft, or any draft truly, those four picks over the first two days of the draft are most likely to be the ones.

Without further ado, using Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator, here's how the Lions came out of the first four rounds.

Detroit Lions 4-round 2024 mock draft: Adding to the defense

First Round, pick No. 29: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

A deep cornerback class this year is advantageous for the Lions, as they can sit back in the first round and let a good player fall to them at their biggest position of need.

Lassiter might not blow athletic testing out of water at the combine, and some people may say he's small (6-foot, 180 pounds). He has some areas of his game to hone, most notably he can get a little handsy in coverage and his ball skills are lacking (at least in terms of interception production). But he can play zone or man coverage capably, which will bolster his appeal to NFL teams.

Pro Football Focus was complementary of his work last season (87.2 coverage grade, 85.4 overall grade, 48.7 passer rating allowed), as he had eight pass breakups and allowed just 15 catches on 39 targets.

Lassiter is willing tackler in the run game, with a high football IQ and good all-around ability. He sounds like a Brad Holmes kind of corner, and one defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn might covet too.

Second Round, No. 61 Overall: T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

An edge rusher was naturally on the radar here, but Sweat was impossible to turn away from when he was available.

The 2023 Outland Trophy winner is simply a massive man (6-foot-4, 350 pounds), which naturally makes him, in scouting parlance, a "space eater" in the run game. But he also seems to have some untapped upside as pass rusher, credited with 28 pressures, 23 hurries to go with his two sacks last season for the Longhorns. He also displayed ability and instincts when it comes to batting down passes, with 11 over his last three college seasons.

Sweat may not really fall this far into the second round, and into Detroit's laps. But he is a Day 1 starter to beef up the defensive line, and he may be worth trading up for if he falls into the second round far enough.

Third Round, Pick No. 73 Overall: Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas

After redshirting in 2021 then barely in 2022 for Minnesota, Booker transferred to Kansas and got his opportunity in 2023. He took advantage of it, finishing with eight sacks, 56 total tackles and 12 tackles for loss last season.

Booker is well-regarded for his length, motor, agility, change of direction and how he finishes plays. But he definitely could stand to add some bulk (240 pounds), and he has development to do in some aspects based on simple lack of playing experience. He may have benefited greatly from another year in college.

Booker has the traits to become a real difference maker in the NFL. He may become a big draft riser coming out of the combine, but here in the third round he's a good pick for the Lions.

Third Round, No. 92 Overall: Xavier Thomas, EDGE, Clemson

The Lions' edge rusher group is set to have some turnover. Julian Okwara is already gone, while Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris are free agents and sure to be gone. So drafting two to restock the cupboard is possible, with or without a notable move to add a veteran.

Like Booker, Thomas is on the light side at 240-250 pounds. But as noted by Damian Parson of The Draft Network, Clemson put him over guards at times last season and he showcased his versatility as a rusher. He is not just a standup edge rusher, as might be assumed based on his size.

Thomas played six years as he battled injuries at Clemson, and he was behind some NFL talent over the course of his career. So he is a little older and more raw than would otherwise be expected.

Third round might be a little early to take Thomas, but the whole picture of what he brings to the table seems like it would appeal to the Lions. Upside in the edge rusher group is needed, and they get it again here.

Fourth Round

The Lions sent their fourth-round pick to the Vikings in the T.J. Hockenson trade, which also yielded them an extra third-round pick this year. So as of now, it will be a long wait between picks.