Detroit Lions add massive upside and fill potential needs in early 2024 mock draft

Yes, the 2023 season is not even started yet. And Detroit Lions fans would surely like to focus on an upcoming season filled with hope and expectation. But an eye on the future is always in play, and with that Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network recently did a two-round 2024 mock draft.

In some sense, it's interesting to see where the Lions' first-round pick lands in these early 2024 mocks. It's a reflection of how well it's expected they'll do this season. On that note, Cummings has their first-round pick at No. 25 overall in his mock draft.

So, how did the Lions come out in Cummings' two-round 2024 mock?

Detroit Lions add interesting players, and fill possible holes, in early 2024 mock

With that 25th overall pick, Cummings has the Lions landing Florida State wide receiver Kevon Coleman.

"The Lions’ offense is mostly complete, but they could use a true plus-sized weapon in the receiving core. At 6’4″, 215 pounds, Keon Coleman has the size and otherworldly catching instincts to man the boundary and win one-on-one, but he can also be a RAC weapon from other alignments with his explosiveness, agility, and contact balance."

Coleman spent the last two seasons at Michigan State. Last season, he had 58 receptions for 798 yards and seven touchdowns (top-10 in the Big Ten in all three categories). At Florida State, he's getting a big quarterback upgrade in Jordan Travis.

Check out this highlight clip. Coleman sure seems like just the kind of big downfield receiver the Lions could use.

In the second round of his mock, at No. 57 overall, Cummings has the Lions landing Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson.

"The Lions may lose guard talent this offseason. If they want to bank on upside in the 2024 NFL Draft, no one has Donovan Jackson’s mix of lateral athleticism, length, and leverage."

Lions left guard Jonah Jackson is entering the final year of his contract. While it feels like a matter of time before he gets the long-term deal he deserves, there's a chance he makes it to the open market next March and leaves.

Entering his second season as the starting left guard for the Buckeyes, Donovan Jackson lands as a first-round pick in some early 2024 mock drafts. So a second-round slot lands as a possible underestimation of where he will go, even being a guard.

The Lions may have two notable offensive needs going into the 2024 draft. They cover both in this mock, with a couple players who have massive potential.