Lions expected to target this defensive position in first round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions had its long awaited breakthrough in 2023, winning the NFC North for the first time since 1993 (when it was called the NFC Central), but now need to continue building out its roster to compete for a Super Bowl. 

The Lions offense is as supercharged as any in the NFL with talented skill position players around Jared Goff and a talented offensive line that was cultivated in the draft. This season, oddsmakers are bracing for the likelihood that the team is going to go defense this time around. 

The Lions are set to pick No. 29 in next Thursday’s NFL Draft, and oddsmakers have marked cornerback as the most likely position of the first pick from Detroit. 

Detroit has been linked to Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, amongst others, during the pre-draft process as the team looks to fortify its secondary after being a weak point on the roster last year. 

The Lions have hit on several draft picks of late, but the team has whiffed in the secondary and have filled the void with short term signings. 2020 first round pick Jeff Okudah is now a cornerback for the Texans and the Lions will hope for a better outcome this time around, potentially looking in the first round to fill that spot. 

If the team passes on cornerback, mock drafts have linked Detroit to pass rushers like Chop Robinson or offensive linemen as the team looks to strengthen the roster in the trenches. 

For now, here’s the updated odds from FanDuel for what position the team will target with its first pick. 

New FanDuel users, sign up below and get $150 in bonus bets when you place a $5 first wager!

Position of first drafted player on Detroit Lions in 2024 NFL Draft

• Cornerback: +140
• Defensive Line/Edge: +230
• Offensive Line: +270
• Wide Receiver: +470
• Safety: +4000
• Linebacker: +5000

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.