Information sourced from: ESPN, Pro Football Reference
With the recent release of Terrion Arnold, the Lions 2024 draft class is coming under increased scrutiny. Even before the release of Arnold, a lot of fans (rightfully so) questioned if this class was a complete bust. Let’s take some time to revisit each pick and rank them to see, is it a bust or is that premature? Let’s dive in, and tank each player with one of the following (all ranks relative to draft position):
Bust - This player will no longer provide any value to the Lions and for all intents and purposes was a miss.
On the Fence - This player has shown flashes, provides value only in one specific area, or has too small a sample size to make a call if they are good or bad.
Solid - Just like the name says, this player has provided solid contributions to the team, perhaps starting, in heavy rotation, and not riding the bench every game. They are not a stud by any means, but they are quality.
Stud - No question, this player is quality. Starts, and likely will continue to do so for some time.
Now that we have the rankings, let’s dig in.
The Picks
Round One, Pick 24: Terrion Arnold
Let’s keep this focused on the field, as we don’t need to re-hash Arnold’s legal troubles. Arnold was able to step in quickly and start playing, appearing in 16 games his first season and eight his second. He notched one interception, eighteen passes deflected, and 70 solo tackles (per Pro Football Reference). However, he did all of this while committing a ton of penalties and having a level of inconsistency to his game. He also was unavailable for half of his second season with the Lions.
Put it all together: character issues, penalties, injuries, and an early release and it’s not pretty. I was all for this pick at the time, with the recent release of Cam Sutton. However, I think it’s only fair that this pick be declared a BUST.
Round Two, Pick 61: Ennis Rakestraw
I was so excited when we double dipped at cornerback. Watching us play how we had the previous year, I really wanted to see what he had to offer and how he could elevate our game. I still do. He is not a first round pick but he does fit what the Lions do nicely. He just needs to see the field more consistently. That, my friends, is the story of Rakestraw thus far: injuries and
availability. While I am excited that he has added bulk in 2026 to hopefully prevent further injury, that is no guarantee. The only thing that will make me truly confident is to see him play the majority (if not all) of a season.
Up the sample size, stay healthy, and then we can talk. I think we have to rank this ON THE FENCE. However, I’m really really close to calling him a bust. If he can’t bring in a productive (and relatively healthy season) this year, he’s off to being labeled a bust.
Round Four: Pick 126: Giovanni Manu
Draft day is exciting for me, and this one is one of my favorite types of picks generally. The no name player with a high athletic ceiling who we get without spending premium draft capital. I have to admit though, it surely appears I was wrong to be excited about this one. Coming into the NFL with such a low end skillset has left Manu woefully behind his teammates in his abilities. I would rather have Larry Borom out there instead of Giovanni Manu to put it bluntly, and this is from a guy I wanted to succeed. I wanted him to catch on and take over Taylor Decker’s spot.
The final straw was the Lions trying him at guard in minicamp. This isn’t about them wanting to give him more opportunities to do good things or be versatile, no. This is about trying to squeeze some value out of this prospect who certainly appears to have been overdrafted.
He’s a BUST.
Round Four: Pick 132: Sione Vaki
You don’t always get immediate contributors in the fourth round, however Vaki has provided proven value. First and foremost, he is a quality special teamer and has been able to consistently find the field in that regard. That is more valuable than a lot of the guys on this page, so lets give credit there.
Secondly, he is sliding into a battle this year for RB3 with Jacob Saylers of UFL fame. For a fourth round pick, this falls in line with the mid to lower end of one I would expect. Especially one who played so very little running back in college. Final note: He has played safety, not that he would be good, but he may provide versatility there in a pinch. In theory he has value to provide in all three phases of the game (offense, defense, special teams),
Due to consistent special teams contribution lets give Vaki a SOLID.
Round Six: Pick 189: Mekhi Wingo
Wingo has had trouble finding the field even when the team has been decimated by injury. When he has been out there he hasn’t wowed me personally in any way. Perhaps he still can do something, but he has played in 13 games over two seasons and really just has not found his footing. I wish I could provide more than that, but I think that’s all there is to provide really. Later round picks are always big question marks, and the Lions took a swing on Wingo. He still has a chance, but he needs to improve fast or he will no longer be a Lion, perhaps as early as 2026.
Not enough for me to be on the fence with him, give me a BUST. Let’s hope he follows in the tracks of players like Ifeatu Melifonwu who took until their third season with the lions to blossom into what Dan and Brad saw in them (I’m not holding my breath).
Round Six: Pick 210: Christian Mahogany
Mahogany might be the one real bright spot of this draft. First, the value is undeniable. Now, I know he is not perfect. However, coming into 2026 he finds himself the entrenched starter at left guard, now playing next to arguably the best offensive tackle in football on his left, and an upgraded center on his right. He was a bit down last year, but the whole line was. He has shown he can hold down a starting spot on this line, and with an upgraded line he is set up to ascend.
I can’t give him a top ranking, I think there needs to be a bit more. However, let’s call him a SOLID.
The Verdict Is…
3 Busts, 2 Solids, 1 On the Fence (due to sample size). We have hit the fifty percent mark of busts out of this draft and the rest are far from guarantees to become studs. Let me be clear: Brad Holmes has been much better than anyone we have seen at GM in some time since he has arrived. I am 100% on the Brad Holmes wagon. However, even the best people have an off performance now and then at their job. I think that’s what we see here: Brad had a bad performance.
It would take a lot to make this class a functional success, and it’s all very unlikely to occur in reality. It’s for that reason that I do believe the Lions 2024 draft class is a bust. I expect Mahogany will stick around, and perhaps Vaki. I have hope for Rakestraw (and we need him now), but hope is not a strategy. Thus, we close the book on the 2024 draft class for now, and hope that we can get some value out of the players that remain.
Easily Holmes worst haul. I like what he was doing, it just didn't work.