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Let’s take a peek now at who the draft analysts have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round.
Cornerback Cooper DeJean, Iowa
DeJean is presently being selected by:
NFL.com (Lance Zierlein), NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew), The Athletic (Bruce Feldman), ESPN (Field Yates), The Sporting News (Mike Moraitis), Walter Football
As Yates writes, “Cornerback was already a priority for Detroit prior to the release of Cameron Sutton (amid allegations of domestic battery), and it now feels like an early must-have in the draft.
DeJean would join former Iowa teammate (and 2023 first-rounder) Jack Campbell in Detroit and provide a boost to the Lions’ secondary. He’s springy with exceptional man coverage skills and on-ball production (seven INTs over the past two years).
GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell would surely be drawn to DeJean’s toughness and willingness as a tackler, two traits that also lead evaluators to think he could be the best safety in the class if he moved to that spot. But I view him as a corner — and a really good one.”
EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Latu is presently being mocked by:
Yahoo! Sports (Nate Tice)
National edge Laiatu Latu of Ucla (15) practices during practice for the Senior Bowl.
Jan 30, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National edge Laiatu Latu of Ucla (15) practices during practice for the Senior Bowl.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Kneeland is presently being selected by:
CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)
Edwards writes, “Marshawn Kneeland gets into the first round. After beginning his career in a rotation with Marcus Davenport, Kneeland will eventually take over as the full-time pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson.”
EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Robinson is presently being chosen by:
CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson), CBS Sports (Pete Prisco)
Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
McKinstry is presently being picked by:
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso), Pro Football Network (Brian Blewis), Pro Football Network (Tony Catalina)
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Dec 30, 2023; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerback Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Wiggins is presently being selected by:
Fox Sports (Jason McIntyre)
Center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Powers-Johnson is currently being selected by
CBS Sports (Jeff Kerr)
As Kerr pens, “Unconventional for the Lions to go center here, especially with Frank Ragnow coming off an All-Pro season. Playing center has taken its toll on Ragnow, so the Lions will look to the future in Powers-Johnson to learn under Ragnow. Detroit looks for Day 1 starters and Powers-Johnson is one, but he may be cross-trained at guard.”
EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
Robinson is currently being tabbed to the Lions by:
Pro Football Focus (Gordon McGuinness), The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer), Pro Football Network (Owain Jones)
Offensive tackle Amarius Mims, Georgia
Mims is presently being selected by:
Touchdown Wire (Doug Farrar)
EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Verse is currently being selected by:
The Draft Network (Keith Sanchez)
As Sanchez writes, “The Lions are high-powered and efficient, but the defense still needs improvement. With this pack, the Lions find Aidan Hutchinson a running mate and draft Jared Verse. Verse is a speed-to-power rusher who can be a double-digit sack guy, giving the Lions a good one-two punch.”
Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5).
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5).
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Wide receiver Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Legette is presently being selected by:
Pro Football Network (Will Helms)
Offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Suamataia is presently being selected by:
The 33rd Team (Ian Valentino)
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