Squal'S MOCK DRAFT

03/03/24

  • Squal DRAFTING FOR THE
    Lions
Draft Selections
Laiatu Latu Head Shot
PICK: 29 RND: 1 (DET)
Laiatu Latu
DL-EDGE UCLA
Mike Sainristil Head Shot
PICK: 63 RND: 2 (DET)
Mike Sainristil
CB Michigan
Khyree Jackson Head Shot
PICK: 73 RND: 3 (DET)
Khyree Jackson
CB Oregon
Patrick Paul Head Shot
PICK: 92 RND: 3 (DET)
Patrick Paul
OT Houston
Brenden Rice Head Shot
PICK: 125 RND: 4 (DET)
Brenden Rice
WR USC
Sataoa Laumea Head Shot
PICK: 163 RND: 5 (DET)
Sataoa Laumea
OT Utah
Delmar Glaze Head Shot
PICK: 176 RND: 6 (DET)
Delmar Glaze
C Maryland
Jared Wiley Head Shot
PICK: 207 RND: 6 (DET)
Jared Wiley
TE TCU
Trevin Wallace Head Shot
PICK: 247 RND: 7 (DET)
Trevin Wallace
LB Kentucky
Bub Means Head Shot
PICK: 249 RND: 7 (DET)
Bub Means
WR Pittsburgh
Draft Picks Received
Mike Sainristil Head Shot
PICK: 63 RND: 2 (SF)
Mike Sainristil
CB Michigan
Brenden Rice Head Shot
PICK: 125 RND: 4 (SF)
Brenden Rice
WR USC
Delmar Glaze Head Shot
PICK: 176 RND: 6 (SF)
Delmar Glaze
C Maryland
Bub Means Head Shot
PICK: 249 RND: 7 (SF)
Bub Means
WR Pittsburgh
Draft Picks Traded
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 61 RND: 2 (SF)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
LB Clemson
Draft Grade — Lions
Overall B
ValueB+ NeedB+ TradesB- FutureB-
The Lions let Laumea fall and pounced. Final grade: B.

Somebody in pick 163 was going to get robbed, and it turned out to be the rest of the league. The Lions sat still while Sataoa Laumea, the No. 117 name on the board, slid all the way to them, then sprinted to the podium. It nets out to a B, which feels about right.

A whole weekend of picks and safety is somehow still a want. Means has a lot of ground to make up just to look fairly priced. The roster is better shaped than it was, with cornerback chief among the fixes.

They trusted the board more than the depth chart.

In sum, a sensible class that nudges the roster the right way.

Pick Analysis
Pick29 Rnd1 Laiatu Latu
In pick No. 29 they get a bendy edge with upside, outstanding value to boot. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
Pick63 Rnd2 Mike Sainristil
A market-rate cornerback, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Mike Sainristil. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Pick73 Rnd3 Khyree Jackson
They paid up for Khyree Jackson at the 73rd overall pick when waiting would have done the job. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Pick92 Rnd3 Patrick Paul
Steal is underselling it; Patrick Paul at the Round 3 slot is a heist with the alarm still ringing. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick125 Rnd4 Brenden Rice
Brenden Rice at Round 4, Pick 25 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. The roster fit checks out.
Pick163 Rnd5 Sataoa Laumea
You do not let an offensive lineman like Sataoa Laumea reach the 163rd pick and blink. They did not. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick176 Rnd6 Delmar Glaze
Delmar Glaze at pick 176 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick207 Rnd6 Jared Wiley
They did well to land Jared Wiley in slot 207, just ahead of his grade. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Pick247 Rnd7 Trevin Wallace
A tidy bit of business in the 247th pick, where Trevin Wallace graded well above the range. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick249 Rnd7 Bub Means
Bub Means in pick No. 249 is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. It fills a real need, too.