Detroit Lions 2024 Re-Draft Solves Holmes Mistakes

The Detroit Lions' 2024 NFL Draft class has not produced great results two years later.

Terrion Arnold, the team's first-round pick that year, was released last week due to an ongoing legal matter. Ennis Rakestraw has struggled with injuries, while other key members of the class have not made solid impacts through their first two campaigns.

As we conduct a re-draft of this class, we will make the picks based on those that the team had entering the draft rather than the picks they made based on trades. For example, the Lions traded up five spots from pick No. 29 to No. 24 to select Arnold.

Without making any trades, the Lions would've had six picks to make that year. Here's an alternate history on what the Lions could've done to have better results in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Round 1, pick 29: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Originally, the Lions traded up five spots with the Dallas Cowboys to select Arnold. Unfortunately, that decision has not turned out nearly the way the team hoped it would. However, this class was deep at cornerback, and there are several good options that were still available at pick No. 29.

This decision comes down to three options who have different styles in Lassiter, Cooper DeJean and Mike Sainristil. All three quickly asserted themselves, with DeJean being the most notable as he had a pick-six in the Super Bowl as a rookie.

Yet, I think the best option for Detroit in this situation is Lassiter. A takeaway machine, Lassiter has recorded seven interceptions in his first two seasons. He also has the lowest missed tackle rate (4.9) and opposing passer rating allowed (71.1) of the three options. 

Round 2, pick 61: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas

Entering this draft, the Lions were in a good spot with their offensive line. Frank Ragnow was the center, Graham Glasgow and newly signed Kevin Zeitler were the guards, and Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker were the tackles. However, things quickly turned south.

Detroit lost Ragnow to retirement the following year, Zeitler in free agency after one season, and Glasgow and Decker are gone as well. With the benefit of hindsight, the Lions can invest in their offensive line much earlier. 

Puni has started all 34 games for the 49ers in his two seasons. While he may not have been needed to start all 17 games as a rookie, his presence could have been very valuable before jumping into a starting role in 2025. 

Round 3, pick 73:  Jalyx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian

The EDGE position is one the Lions have been trying to find another reliable option at for multiple years. Hunt was underrated coming out of college after playing at the FCS level, but had a strong 2025 season to indicate that he may be an ascending player. He had 6.5 sacks for the Eagles last year, along with three interceptions.

Detroit has Aidan Hutchinson, but has had trouble finding a reliable second option to work opposite of him. Hunt could’ve been, at the very least, a player capable of contributing in sub packages and giving the team an extra pass-rush boost.