Detroit Lions post-NFL Combine 7-round mock draft: Trading up to fill No. 1 need

The 2024 NFL Combine is now in the books, as the league gathered and prospects met with teams, did media, got measured and did on-field drills in Indianapolis.

The Detroit Lions have very few significant needs coming off a NFC Championship Game appearance. But the weak areas they do have, especially on the defensive side of the ball, could keep them from taking the next step to the Super Bowl. One way or another, those needs must be addressed.

Brad Holmes has done quite well in his first three drafts as the Lions' general manager. There's no reason to think he won't make it a fourth this April, even with the lowest first-round pick he's had and the lowest first-round pick the Lions have had since 2018.

Using Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator for a full seven rounds, here's a fresh post-NFL Combine mock for the Lions.

Detroit Lions post-NFL combine 7-round mock draft

First Round, Pick No.17: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Sitting at pick No. 29, a deep cornerback class was sure to provide someone who can step in and play well right away. But I couldn't just sit there and wait. After making trade offers starting just outside the top-10, I went down the board a bit to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 17 and made this deal.

Based on Jimmy Johnson's famous draft pick value chart (h/t Drafttek), the deal breaks down this way.

Lions receive
Pick No. 17-950 points

Jaguars receive:
Pick No. 29-640 points
Pick No. 73-225 points
Pick No. 247-1 point (886 points given up)

Note: The 2025 second-round pick doesn't have a point value here, but as reference pick No. 61 (the Lions current 2024 second-rounder) is worth 292 points.

So the trade value chart, for whatever it's worth when adding the 2025 second-rounder, says I overpaid to move up from 29 to 17. But Mitchell is a player who is absolutely worth it.

Over his final three seasons as Toledo, Mitchell had 45 pass breakups (37 over the last two seasons). More interceptions would have been nice (just one in 2023), but his overall playing ability has him in the conversation to be the first cornerback drafted.

Any concerns about the level of competition Mitchell faced in college were put to bed by what he did at the Senior Bowl. Then he went to the combine, measured at 6-foot and 195 points, did 20 bench press reps and did well in athletic testing (38-inch high jump, 10-foot, two-inch broad jump). He also ran a 4.33 40.

Holmes won't be wooed by Mitchell's workout metrics in Indianapolis. But he can also play, so he is no workout warrior. The Lions' GM is also not afraid to make draft deals, moving around the first round in each of the last two drafts, but a trade up is the move in the opening round here.