10 Best Remaining Players for Lions on Day 3 of NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft couldn't have gotten off to a better start for these Detroit Lions. As the hometown team hosting the draft, Detroit had to make a lasting impression.

There was no way the Lions could embarrass while hosting the big event, and boy did they take that to heart.

In Round 1, the Lions ended up with Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who was ranked as the top corner in this class by many out there. Somehow, Detroit wound up with him at pick no. 24 overall.

Then, in the second round, the Lions were able to scoop up another cornerback that was graded as a first-round prospect by a large quanitity of experts out there, selecting Missouri standout Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Detroit greatly improved their secondary, which was arguably their biggest need going into draft weekend.

Now entering the third and final day of the draft, the Lions will have four more picks to use.

Best players still on the board for Detroit to target in Rounds 4-7

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
Christian Jones, OT, Texas

Detroit doesn't have a fourth-round pick to work with, so the above players might require trading future capital. The Lions have one pick in the fifth round (no. 164), two picks in the sixth round (nos. 201 and 205) and one pick in the seventh round (no. 249).

Maybe the most notable player worth a trade up could be Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin, who was even mocked in the first round as recent as a few weeks ago by some. The Lions just extended Amon-Ra St. Brown and are expecting big things out of Jameson Williams. But, Franklin is talented enough to come in and cement himself as the clear WR3, right away.

Ja'Tavion Sanders is also a tantalizing possibility, even though the Lions already have Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. Sanders is another true receiving threat and could make this Lions offense that much more dangerous.

Will the Lions trade up into the fourth round, or stand pat and await their selection in the fifth?