With the 2024 NFL Draft taking place in their hometown, the Detroit Lions had no choice but to show up and show out early on.
At pick no. 24 in the first round, the Lions were fortunate enough to somehow land arguably the best cornerback in the draft in Alabama's Terrion Arnold. Immediately, experts began citing this as one of the best picks in all of the first round in terms of overall fit, need, etc.
There's no doubt that adding Arnold was a much-needed move for the Lions, but in Round 2 and at pick no. 61 overall, Detroit added yet another top cornerback when they picked Missouri standout Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Lions are drafting Mizzou CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr at No. 61, per @schultz_report
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 27, 2024
Lions go back to back DB's 😎 pic.twitter.com/oWTxaocy3G
Through two rounds, the Lions made it very clear that they want to right the wrongs of their 2023 campaign.
Not only that, but the Lions know they are in for some tough years ahead facing both Jordan Love and new Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Detroit's passing defense has to be better than it was in 2023
Last year, the Lions finished as the league's sixth-worst pass defense, allowing 247.4 yards per game. The secondary was certainly a pressing need entering the offseason and especially after free agency.
With Love impressing as the season went on in Green Bay last year and the Bears beginning a whole, new era in selecting Williams with the first overall pick, Detroit knew they couldn't mess around. The Lions had to make notable moves in order to improve that secondary, especially considering the NFC North's receiving threats.
Green Bay has an underrated group of young wide receivers and each of them do different things very well. Meanwhile, the Vikings of course have a guy by the name of Justin Jefferson and, oh by the way, Jordan Addison is on the other side.
Then, you have the Bears who have added Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze alongside D.J. Moore.
This division is suddenly beaming with receiving talent. The Lions knew they had to address the secondary, and they have done exactly that so far. Fans should be thrilled with Arnold and Rakestraw, both of whom had been mocked in the first round more often than not.
Arnold and Rakestraw were graded as Pro Football Focus' no. 14 and no. 46 overall prospects, for what it's worth. And the Lions got them each much later than where they were ranked. Detroit's defense just got a whole lot better.