Detroit Lions Day 3 2024 mock draft: Projecting the final picks

Sixth Round, Pick No. 205: Jalen Green, EDGE, James Madison

In just nine games last season before a knee injury sidelined him, Green had 15.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss. He wound up second in the country in both stats (tied for second in tackles for loss), a half-sack and one TFL behind the leader. Level of competition in the Sun Belt has to be considered, but production like that is impossible to ignore.

That knee injury prevented Green from working out during the pre-draft process, and he is undersized (6-foot-1, 245 pounds). Pro Football Focus' scouting report points to him using his smaller size to his advantage, with powerful and violent hands and a knack for getting off blocks.

The Lions are not afraid to consider players with an injury question coming in, and here in the sixth round an edge rusher with massive upside makes sense.

Seventh Round, Pick No. 249: Will Reichard, K, Alabama

Brad Holmes' promise to add competition for Michael Badgley has not bore any fruit yet, and potentially tapping into the UFL when Jake Bates is available is not enough. Drafting a kicker is a non-starter for a lot of people, but a roster with few holes allows for the final draft pick to be used on one rather than try to compete for someone as an undrafted free agent.

Reichard made 84 percent of his field goals (10 makes from 50-plus yards out) with just two missed extra points over five seasons at Alabama. Kicking for the Crimson Tide, he has plenty of big game experience.

There are a few draftable kickers this year (Cam Little, Harrison Mevis), but the Lions' affinity for Alabama players tips this pick toward Reichard.