Mel Kiper’s 2024 NFL Draft Grades For The Detroit Lions + Reaction To Grades By Other Media Outlets

Detroit Lions News & Rumors by Chat Sports on Monday, April 29th, centers around ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s draft grades for the Detroit Lions as GM Brad Holmes pulled off yet another stellar draft class for the Blue and Silver in the 2024 NFL Draft. On today’s show, Lions Talk by Chat Sports host Mike Kimber reacts to Mel’s thoughts on the Lions taking some top draft prospects this year, including guys like Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Giovanni Manu, Sione Vaki, and more. What grade did Mel give the Lions this year? Find out on today’s edition of Lions Talk by Chat Sports!
2024 Lions Draft Class:
-Terrion Arnold (CB)
- Ennis Rakestraw (CB)
- Giovanni Manu (OT)
- Sione Vaki (S/RB)
- Mekhi Wingo (DL)
- Christian Mohogany (OG)
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questions down in the comments section:
- Who is your favorite pick in the draft?
- What is your grade for the Lions 2024 draft class? A, B, C, D, or F?
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Lions returning Offensive Starters in 2024:
- Taylor Decker (LT)
- Graham Glasgow (OG)
- Frank Ragnow (OC)
- Kevin Zeitler (OG)
- Penei Sewell (RT)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR)
- Jameson Williams (WR)
- Jahmyr Gibbs (RB)
- Sam LaPorta (TE)
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List of Detroit Lions KZbin videos from @Chatssports over the last couple of days:
Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Projection After The 2024 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Projection After The 2024 NFL Draft
Lions Rumors After NFL Draft: Sign Tyler Boyd? Giovanni Manu A Guard? WR Isaiah Williams GEM?: Lions Rumors After NFL Draft: Sign Tyler Boyd? Giovanni Manu A Guard? WR Isaiah Williams GEM?
Lions Draft Grades: All 7 Rounds From 2024 NFL Draft Ft. Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Sione Vaki: Lions Draft Grades: All 7 Rounds From 2024 NFL Draft Ft. Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Sione Vaki
Want more NFL news & rumors? Check out Chat Sports: /chatsportstv
#Lions #LionsDraft #LionsDraftGrades

[@LionsToday]

What is your grade for the Lions 2024 draft class? A, B, C, D, or F?

[@arodri313]

A all day

[@marcusgramz4033]

A 4 potential starters at areas of need. Remember, Melvis hated our draft last year 😂

[@liamgaddy-fl9lt]

A+

[@rickc1702]

A

[@lisadelorenzo8539]

B Grade. I don't think anyone should hand out A+ grades to a draft prior to the draft picks taking a snap in the NFL. I think the Lions had a good draft but it is okay to change your opinion later. Right now it is still a B for me. Not every player will become what the Lions intended ie: Brodrick Martin.

[@bobbolan4672]

Announcer: "The Detroit Lions select Giovanni Manu." Mel Kiper: "WHO???" Me: LMFAO

[@APylar1]

The first person that said something after the pick was made was Field Yates, and he was screaming and yelling so excited because it was his favorite player in the draft.

[@liamgaddy-fl9lt]

My favorite pick is Manu. He's a beast. Will be awesome to see him play next Sewell. Good luck stopping the run

[@Mister8224]

Late round picks are all luck & rarely pan out. It is stupid to put any value on late round picks. Any pick after round 4 cannot be counted on & should be considered special teams fodder only until proven able.

[@jppagetoo]

The roster is both deep and strong. It is hard to draft players who will make the team. For the first time in my life, the Lions need quality players, quantity is not going to help.

[@yooperrandy]

Manu as a G next to Penai will be unstoppable, legendary, and so much fun to watch. Those grades are pretty much based on where these guys were ranked prior to the draft. You take a relatively unknown quantity like Gio Manu and it supposedly detracts from the Lions' grade, but I'm way more inclined to see this pick as the steal of the draft. In Brad and Co. we trust.

[@kenbrown5449]

Well put.

[@Mister8224]

Nobody knows if Manu can play or will develop or get hurt. There was a reason he was on board late.

[@MaxHeadroom4014]

I give them an A. Like Mel said - they plugged the biggest hole and added depth. Favorite pick is OG - Christian Mahogany from BC - as a senior he played 350+ snaps with 0 QB hits and 0 sacks allowed. Pretty impressive for a 6th rounder....now he's OURS!!!!

[@happy-dan2005]

If we would have kept our 3rd and drafted Mahogany nobody would’ve batted an eye, so to trade up get Arnold and still get Mahogany is a steal

[@LionsToday]

2024 Lions Draft Class: -Terrion Arnold (CB) - Ennis Rakestraw (CB) - Giovanni Manu (OT) - Sione Vaki (S/RB) - Mekhi Wingo (DL) - Christian Mohogany (OG)

[@scottjones1109]

Is it BS? Or is it real? Right now it's just so much talk. But I'm prone to believing the good we're hearing because the history of Brad Holmes' track record in drafting quality player talent, both here in Detroit & in L.A., has ALWAYS been stellar

[@rodneyblakey]

Manu he’s going to be better than people think

[@MrBeugh]

The defensive secondary was Detroit's Achilles heel the past couple of seasons. Plugging those holes was essential for reinforcing the "prevent" side of the game. Looks like they're plugged the single biggest hole. Go Lions!

[@righteousisthelord180]

Please do not use the term Achilles heel man!!! :-)

[@Mister8224]

I think their other "biggest weakness" was pass rush & QB pressures. They didn't get any help there, & DBs get burned if no QB pressures, even all-pro DBs.

[@ronwright2198]

Who the hell is mel kiper?

[@roems6396]

You’ve never watched the draft before?

[@bigassdummy46]

If you know you know

[@RushAnthem69]

@@roems6396it’s a reference to the Colts GM saying this after bashing their pick back in like 1993. It’s weird to say it here and now. I love Mel I grew up with him and he’s been doing it since before I was born.

[@ItsMe-zr7jb]

Roem are you serious

[@evertcanaday8100]

Right!

[@Baalzz302]

Vaki is not a running back. He was asked to play 2 games as a RB because all their RB's were injured. He just happened to grade out as Elite at RB due to those 2 games. Once their RB's healed up, he went back to Safety. So, in conclusion, he will be playing Safety.

[@mikefairchild9124]

Heard a lot of pissing and moaning about giving up 3rd pick next year but I suspect we get a compensatory pick for losing Jonah Jackson to the Rams. He was a pro bowler

[@greatwhite3676]

The same people would have whining about not trading up. Thanks to fake news 97.1 we have the dumbest fans in all of sports. Every football person had Arnold as a top 10 to 15 prospect it was a great pick.

[@LionsToday]

Lions returning Offensive Starters in 2024: - Taylor Decker (LT) - Graham Glasgow (OG) - Frank Ragnow (OC) - Kevin Zeitler (OG) - Penei Sewell (RT) - Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR) - Jameson Williams (WR) - Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) - Sam LaPorta (TE)

[@jalilmuhammad7180]

Studs

[@Mgoblue1023]

A+. In Holmes we trust! I remember last year seeing people grade them as an F, just knowing how wrong they were. Just shows you nobody respects us yet… and that’s just fine!

[@righteousisthelord180]

It’s because he is not following the script. Last year and all the yapping was ridiculous. Gibbs, Laporta and Branch. Are you kidding me?

[@righteousisthelord180]

A for corners alone. The rest are either developmental or great backups for year one. After that we shall see, but Holmes has a track record for these late round picks man.

[@mikebarnard9903]

Looking at defense - hutch one side houston other side to bullies in the middle - one great linebacker one up and coming linebacker - then the upgraded corners with those ball hawk safety's looks good to me.

[@thomaswatkins3686]

Hutchinson and Houston don’t play on the opposite side. They’re both LDEs. Davenport is your RDE. I don’t know how fans cannot understand this. Look at a depth chart. This is why anybody with a brain stem knew DE wasnt a consideration. None of this factors in Paschal either.

[@ItsMe-zr7jb]

Is it even a possibility to reach in round 4 or later

[@je9950]

Mahogany and Arnold will start

[@michaelchialastri5577]

I give it an A. I don't like giving up higher picks for a lower round selection.

[@marktilley388]

I like Christian Mohogany were we got him. ang Wingo as well

[@LionsToday]

Who is your favorite pick in the draft?

[@arodri313]

Dirtbag

[@lisadelorenzo8539]

Arnold

[@tylerkuyers5834]

Arnold

[@bobbolan4672]

Arnold. Won me over big time when he took the microphone and said, "I'm home!"

[@brymackevil1031]

B I love the first 2 picks and the Wingo and Mahogany picks were good but the 2025 draft picks they gave up to get Manu and Vaki are worrisome. A 2025 3rd rounder for a guy who was playing at a very low level of competition? Sure hope that works out. Would have liked to see a little more patience By Holmes

[@samhiltz1107]

B. The Giovanni pick is the hinge - his success will be the one to change the grade. I love the pick - gimme more Samoans on the O-Line! - but Canadian football isn't NCAA quality. I want him to be a beast. I want him to play next to Sewell and have Gibbs getting 5+ per carry behind them. But I need to see that Manu can do that. If he was a 6th round pick, no worries. But drafting up to get him in the 4th is where I'm stuck. I trust Holmes, but Manu needs verification due to lack of acceptable opponents.

[@nicholasniedzielski4707]

Fav is Steele Chambers

[@willfitz777]

I think we might get a compensatory pick or two next year too

[@rodneybrasfield4061]

Mahogany, smart pick.

[@carltondavis8652]

Great show

[@APylar1]

When we drafted Vaki, his highlights started out at Safety making hard hits and I thought, Ok, he's going to be a great special teams player and possible fill in if injuries get out of controll. Then I seen why they say Vaki is a RB also, he was taking direct snaps getting 3rd and shorts and stuff. And it clicked, that this is going to be our special teams fake specialist.

[@GSXK4]

Corners are very good tacklers. Yes!

[@royhubbert6542]

Arnold is my favorite. Living in SEC territory I saw a lot of him. Best tackling corner I saw last year!

[@mattthompson9160]

Definitely an A

[@richforrest6983]

A grade considering the place we started the draft from , he made us better on opening day if a bigger pass rusher graded was available the possibility of that happening here would have been interesting it looks like D Robinson wanted a homecoming in Detroit

[@danielgranda896]

I give the draft an A. I think that they addresses the glaring need in the draft and I agree that trading a pick when you have 8 is less risk because it is unlikely all 8 would make the roster. Hitting 3 home runs in the draft last year gave them more options this year.

[@alfrednawrocki8061]

Good show Mike !!!

[@danhendricks1616]

I wish they made a play for Cooper DeJean out if Iowa. Very good DB and return experience. I think he's a gamer.

[@markhertlein4726]

B+, A if Manu develops into a starter !

[@mcnhart]

Give them an A and the selection of UDFA C Kingsley Eguakun is the cherry on top we needed some O line and Corner Depth and we got it

[@Will-sj1kx]

Welcome Terrion! Next stop, Super Bowl!!

[@kenmcwise1776]

I agree with you Mike, a well balanced draft for this year and the future. A+.

[@russdadda]

In all honesty the lions have drafted brilliantly the last 3 years, and this was one was no exception either. The disrespect I see from media and other fans is still relevant. Ppl still think the lions aren’t for real, and it’s actually absurd to me.

[@CaptainSlappy99]

Rakestraw thinks he's a linebacker, Love it!

[@Mister8224]

He shows no fear, but has injury history.

[@burrisnichols8211]

Favourite pick is Wingo. I couldn't believe he dropped that far.

[@amontante9]

I am giving A- or B+. We gave up some capital to trade up on many of the picks. Some of the capital was future and I never like doing that. However, I like the picks that we did make. Arnold and Rakestraw are huge for our future in the secondary. Both OL picks are good, and even each other out. Manu was a reach (IMO) because he is most likely available later, but Mahogany was a total steal. Vaki is an okay pick for me, not sure how they will use him so it will really take a while to figure out good or bad on that one. Wingo was a steal as well. I think that we missed on a deep WR class and found nothing for DE. All in all, good picks but I downgrade slightly for the capital given up to get there and lack of WR and DE.

[@joelveldheer9108]

A for sure; all great picks and some even above that; but only time will tell who they are.

[@jasonhill9674]

Goff will know right away if the new look defensive backfield has been improved upon or not once training camp begins. He will need to adjust. You know Goff ate up last seasons DB’s in practice too, gaining chunks of yardage like they gave up in the games. This new look defense needs to put an end to that. If this new group can stop giving up critical chunk plays and better stop running QB’s it will go a long way toward the ultimate goal. A spot in the next SB.

[@rf005]

How can you grade a Draft already? These players haven’t played a snap in the NFL.

[@davidmcpherson1347]

B+ - Lions addressed a bonified NEED; the defensive secondary. we got burned last season down field, and Holmes addressed it 1ST. they have improved overall on defense thru the draft, and they are NOT done just yet. DET -vs- EVERBODY ..... Nothing has changed. (What Position did MEL K. Play in college???) 🤔

[@tricky5222]

People complaining about trade ups are stupid. Rakestraw is a 2nd round pick and is going to have to fight to get field time. Imagine a 4th round cb..

[@oldhead2769]

It's the manu pick for me. I don't even think that guy was on most teams board. I understand him on the team i just thought it was a mistake on how they got him. The rest of the picks rocked to me.

[@manuelpompa-u5e]

christian mahogany with a 6th rd pick, i had him as a 3rd/4th rounder

[@rickczainski9856]

We will definitely feel the missing picks next year but I support the move due to the quality we got for it. Don’t forget EVERY so called expert gave us a C at best last year. Holmes is building a powerhouse team not only for one year but for 5. Playing chess while others are playing checkers. Go Lions!

[@steaknshake3368]

Manu has to make it on the 53 man. I think if he goes to the practice squad some other team will pick him up through the season

[@ROB06281969]

B+ my favorite picks were Manu and mahogany

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

This is what allows Brad Holmes to standout amongst the mere mortals in NFL circles... And who is Mel Kiper?

[@newsdrifter5505]

Brad did a nice job except the overpay for Manu. They guy wasnt even projected to be drafted at all by most boards and I feel they didnt need to trade up for him but simply could have used a 6th or 7th rounder on him. With the Vaki trade up, I can believe some other team might have nabbed him because of his versatility so no demerits on that deal but its still questionable where he really fits so I call that pick neutral. The solid picks are Arnold, Rakestraw, Wingo and Mahongany. I would even call the Arnold pick great. So here's how it adds up. Manu = bad Vaki = neutral Wingo = Average Mahogany = Good Rakestraw = Good Arnold = Great Overall Draft Grade = B I agree with Mel on this one.

[@apt7prod]

Did you say sports illustrated gave us an M? Is that good?

[@jamesmlowe]

We should make lots of passes around Will Harris when the Lions play New Orleans and pray for what happens to New Orleans when they play other teams. Lot of prayers going out to New Orleans when they play other teams.

[@Michael-we9vp]

Greg Cosell. President of NFL films, is a highly sought after draft analyst who is highly respected and he gave the Lions a B÷ for the draft.

[@juicesghost8501]

Damn well were screwed..... If mad mel likes what they doing then its overwith

[@stevevannorman321]

B+ With great upside later

[@Will-sj1kx]

Micro Mike rocks!!

[@brandonharmon5556]

I think our corners will get cooked in the beginning. Hopefully, halfway through the season, they will be a no-fly zone secondary.

[@Mister8224]

TOTALLY depends on QB pressure they can muster. Doesn't look like they got much help there & that was probably their biggest weakness.

[@jalilmuhammad7180]

A...Brad will be the most misunderstood gm in sports history after its said and done.

[@jaonnoles4799]

A+

[@thomaswatkins3686]

I wish you’d do a video targeting the fools who literally believe the best way to improve your pass defense is more pass rush. This is something we see every off season and it’s nauseating. It’s like some people have placed such a premium on it a CB can be terrible, but make up for it if he has 30 sacks a game in front of him. I have no idea why it took the Lions 25 or more years to seriously address their DBs.Not the isolated 2nd rounder dropped in or some udfa. They NEEDED this. They’re absolutely a Super Bowl contender now.

[@jbussa]

Prolly be a few years before we can say 2 rookie corners "changed" us from one of the worst to one of the best... I sure hope so

[@jerryantaya1266]

We completely revamped the secondary last year too. I really hope this works out better. Brad always says he's a CB snob but the ones he's brought in so far have been trash. I do believe more in these guys but I was pretty excited about Sutton, Ceedy and Mosley last year. If these guys don't work great it's time to dump AG.

[@greatwhite3676]

There were quite a few injuries last year.

[@Mister8224]

Pass rush is huge factor in DB effectiveness. All-pro corners look bad when QB not pressured.

[@Detroitsportsfan79]

Well if he says B then it's an A for sure!

[@je9950]

I think the Lions traded those 3rds because they believe Aaron Glenn will get a HC job within the next 2 seasons and owed two third-round compensatory picks. It's brilliant. Make the defense stronger, raise Glenn's stock for coaching positions, get back picks. Profit.

[@DanSoper-r9s]

I like Phillies 2 corners better but I wouldn't be surprised if the to corners the lions got will be better in year 2

[@tricky5222]

For the "just get any edge" crowd, i really can't stand that. Who the hell was left at our second pick that you really think is better than houston, paschal or davenport

[@mikeanderson9266]

Lions biggest weakness now is 1) Pass Rush 2) WR.

[@qualitygaming6891]

B+ solid draft

[@tomgennety6489]

C giving up next year's picks for a project, and a special team's player, was awful. Both corners can tackle, but you will have to move to zone as they are slow. 6th round Guard was the best t pick

[@rubensanchez402]

A Grade

[@gridirongodsNetwork]

I'm torn between rooting for my hometown team Detroit Lions and Michigan legend JJ McCarthy to win it all with his new team.

[@t0ny1189]

At this point Brad Holmes draft grades> the "experts".

[@gridirongodsNetwork]

I'm torn between rooting for my hometown team Detroit Lions and Michigan legend JJ McCarthy to win it all.

[@Will-sj1kx]

Great summary by Kiper II. Take that “anonymous “ GMs

[@garythompson1093]

Go back to last year and review What Mel said last year

[@vaughnwesterby5162]

Lions are going to the Super Bowl, the Lions are goin to the Super Bowl!

[@Will-sj1kx]

A is the grade

[@johnovesen303]

I think giving grades is overrated. In Brad I trust💯🤙

[@DanSoper-r9s]

Arnold is 20 he's a year 2 to 3 guy

[@Will-sj1kx]

We got Mahogany, the steal of the draft. Diana Ross did Mahogany the movie.

[@kurtzdeb5631]

B. Great picks but gave up too much for mid round selections

[@ipeclub]

Thanks mike.... I give em an A-

[@williamhaun7350]

Favorite.. Vaki

[@101deadpuppys]

solid A got damn it

[@paulbooth3953]

Mel giving the Lions respect? I find myself living in the Twilight Zone!

[@markgojcaj5534]

The fact that Mel didn’t know about Manu was too much of a blow to his ego that he had to not like it.

[@joe2.017]

Honestly, if that Kiper dude likes our draft it means that we got a bunch of busts.

[@jasonbates4518]

A- or B+

[@official_savage9027]

the hate on Sutton isn't needed. he was a CB2 forced to play CB1 with NO safety help because our idiot DC decided to always blitz Cam`s side of the field`s safety leaving him on an island

[@MichaelPerkinsMike]

You can’t realistically grade the draft til Thanksgiving

[@FlairVSSavage]

The ? Is … is he a safety ?

[@patrothwell9138]

B.i do not think u ever look at your comments

[@davidherbst]

The fact that Mel Kiper likes our draft actually makes me less confident.