Detroit Lions mock draft: Consolidating assets to target specific players
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has made it clear that he sees the draft as the way to add talent, without strict regard for needs or what the positional value "experts" say. Head coach Dan Campbell has confirmed the "best player available" mode that has served the team well so far.
“Since we’ve been here, we’ve really, ‘Man, draft the best player available,’” Campbell said to the media during his availability at the owner’s meetings in Orlando. “Don’t let the ‘man, we absolutely have to have a linebacker. We absolutely have to have (blank).’ Just go with what you believe is going to fit your team and what you feel like is the best player at the time.”
The Lions won't change that mode simply because they're sitting with the 29th overall pick this year. But their list of needs is also relatively short, so targeting some specific players to fill the voids they do have is a definite possibility.
Holmes has shown he's willing to move up (and around) in the first round. In 2022, he traded up from the final pick in the first round all the way up to No. 12 overall to get Jameson Williams, despite the fact he was coming off a torn ACL in that January's national title game.
We've now crossed into April, and the home stretch of mock season for the 2024 draft.
Using Pro Football Network's draft simulator, here's a fresh seven-round mock draft for the Lions.