Mock Draft Roundup: New Cornerbacks Emerge as Lions Targets
It's time for the fifth All Lions mock draft roundup for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Over the last week, a pair of new cornerbacks, including Iowa State defensive back T.J. Tampa, have become trendy targets for the Lions at No. 29 overall.
Let’s take a peek now at who the pundits have Lions general manager Brad Holmes drafting in the first round.
Cornerback T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
Tampa is presently being mocked by the following:
ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr.), CBS Sports (Tom Fornelli)
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
McCarthy is currently being selected by the following:
Pro Football Network (Will Helms)
EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
Robinson is currently being mocked by the following:
The Draft Network (Brentley Weissman), Tankathon
EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington
Trice is presently being picked by the following:
Cornerback Cooper DeJean, Iowa
DeJean is currently being picked by the following:
Lions Wire (Jeff Risdon), CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)
As Edwards writes,
"Cooper DeJean is a smart football player who is also multi-talented. He can start at cornerback but also make invaluable contributions on special teams. Detroit signed a few short-term options at the position last offseason but now have a potential tentpole in the secondary."
Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Rakestraw is presently being mocked by the following:
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso), Sports Illustrated (Luke Easterling), Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer)
As Easterling writes,
“After an impressive run last season, the Lions have an opportunity to fill a few glaring needs and get over hump to make a Super Bowl appearance. Injuries and inconsistency plagued them at corner last season, and this year's deep class should give them a chance to remedy that with this pick. Rakestraw is tough, instinctive player who excels in press-man coverage."
Defensive lineman Byron Murphy II, Texas
Murphy is currently being selected by the following:
Pro Football Network (Tony Catalina)
EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Robinson is currently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Network (AJ Schulte), The Athletic (The Athletic College Football)
As Schulte opines,
"The Detroit Lions have loved to bet on traits in the NFL Draft, and Darius Robinson screams traits. His power, length, and explosiveness saw him dominate the SEC and at the Senior Bowl.
The Missouri prospect also likely tests out of the gym at the NFL Combine. Detroit needs another three-down edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, and Robinson fits their mold of prospects perfectly."
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
Lassiter is currently being drafted by the following:
Pro Football Network (Lorenzo Reyna), Pro Football Focus (PFF College Show)
Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
McKinstry is currently being picked by the following:
Pro Football Network (Joe Broback)
As Broback pens,
“Detroit’s looking to build off of a great 2023 season, but it knows the defense must improve. They might need a guard pending a move in free agency, and the WR group needs more depth. But the Lions also need a corner.
With Kool-Aid McKinstry still on the board in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, there’s not too much to debate here. The talented Alabama CB instantly improves the defense, a group that played well this past year but needs to raise its ceiling."
