“The Beast” is here. The Athletic’s annual NFL Draft guide, written by expert Dane Brugler, edited by Chris Burke and a dedicated team, published earlier last week. This year’s edition checked in at 324 pages and features north of 1,900 prospects, taking 18 months to assemble. There’s a reason it has the name it does.
It’s an incredible resource, particularly for fans and writers to identify potential fits for their teams. That’s what we’ll try to do here for the Detroit Lions, identifying five for each day of the draft (and some bonus names), using Brugler’s draft grades.
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Lions NFL Draft 2024 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs
Day 1 grades
Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA
Range: First round (No. 22 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “For pass rushers, there is a saying: ‘Beat the hands, beat the man.’ Latu lives by this principle with the cohesive way he weaponizes his hands and feet to defeat blocks (led the FBS with a 24.6 percent pass-rush win percentage in 2023). As a run defender, his lack of ideal length and pop will show at times, but he made significant improvements with his read/react in this area as a senior. Overall, Latu’s medical history will play a major part in his draft grade, but he is a pass-rush technician with the instinctive feel and athletic bend to be an impactful ‘two-way go’ rusher in the NFL. His play style and journey are reminiscent of Miami Dolphins 2021 first-rounder Jaelan Phillips.”
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Fit in Detroit: That label — “pass-rush technician” — absolutely shows up when you watch Latu’s tape. He’s constantly swiping and chopping away would-be blockers, and pairs his hands with effort and good athleticism to win regularly. While he’s often projected higher than the Lions are picking, there could be concerns about his medicals that cause a slide. If he makes it to No. 29, he’d pair nicely opposite Aidan Hutchinson, giving the Lions a feared and young edge duo for years to come.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Range: First-second round (No. 23 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Overall, Powers-Johnson’s inexperience is reflected in his technique, but he offers a fantastic combination of size, athleticism and toughness, with the skill set that translates to both center and guard. His game reminds me of Ryan Kelly, who won the Rimington Award at Alabama before becoming a first-round pick in 2016.”
Fit in Detroit: The Lions have future needs along the offensive line, and GM Brad Holmes said it’s a position that “will not be overlooked.” Right guard Kevin Zeitler could be a stopgap to a young player like Powers-Johnson, who has experience at guard and could start there immediately if needed. The beauty here is the Lions wouldn’t need him to. He could provide high-quality depth at guard or center, which is important given Frank Ragnow’s injury history. In 2025, he’d be projected to start at guard if Zeitler isn’t retained, and would be viewed as the center of the future whenever Ragnow retires. It’s not guaranteed he makes it to No. 29, but Brugler mentions Powers-Johnson’s medicals as something teams are monitoring.
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Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Range: First-second round (No. 24 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Wiggins moves with quiet, controlled feet/hips to seamlessly transition out of breaks and accelerate to top gear (allowed only one catch of 20-plus yards on 41 targets in 2023). Though he needs to improve his consistency as a run defender, he shows tremendous effort in pursuit and had two chase-down forced fumbles that saved touchdowns in 2023 (Miami and North Carolina). Overall, Wiggins’ slight frame and suspect play strength are legitimate concerns, but he is a fast and fluid athlete with the cover awareness and on-ball production to be a starting perimeter corner in the NFL. He projects as a longtime NFL starter with tools like those of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.”
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Fit in Detroit: The Lions lack a young outside option to build around. The only outside corner the Lions have drafted in the first three rounds under Holmes was 2021 third-rounder Ifeatu Melifonwu, who now plays safety. Though Wiggins will need to put on weight, he has the desired length and long speed for the position. The Lions sent scouts to Florida State-Clemson last September, so Wiggins had their attention. Still only 20 with an August birthday, Wiggins is one of the youngest players in the draft with room to continue developing.
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Range: First-second round (No. 25 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Overall, DeJean is one of the best tackling defensive backs in the class and shows playmaking skills in coverage, because of his athletic instincts and competitive makeup. Along with an immediate special-teams role (as a returner and gunner), his NFL starter-quality skill set fits interchangeably at cornerback, safety or nickel.”
Fit in Detroit: The Lions have been linked to outside corners, and there are questions as to whether that’s DeJean’s best fit in the NFL. But considering the Lions have been known to value positional versatility and “football players,” they could view DeJean’s versatility as a pro — not a con. He could start out at corner, and move to nickel or safety in certain looks.
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Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Range: First-second round (No. 29 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Well-regarded as a leader in the program and was named a 2023 captain (Arizona offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll: ‘Fantastic role model. He’s a beacon in the weight room, the guys follow him and get behind him.’) … Overall, Morgan struggles to anchor mid-slide versus power, but he is a balanced mover who is well-schooled and physical in all phases. Though he can survive at tackle in the NFL, his skill set projects much better inside at guard, similar to Matthew Bergeron.”
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Fit in Detroit: Morgan would be an excellent fit with the Lions. He’s 6-foot-5, 311 pounds. Brugler describes his take-off and range as “explosive” when pulling, making him a fit for the run game. He has experience at tackle but is viewed as a better fit at guard in the NFL, giving him inside-out versatility. That’s valuable considering the Lions haven’t had reliable backup depth at tackle over the years. In 2024, he could be the sixth lineman, while slotting in as a starting right tackle or guard in 2025, depending on the futures of Zeitler and Taylor Decker.
Other Day 1 fits: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey, Texas WR Adonai Mitchell, Alabama CBs Terrion Arnold (trade-up option) and Kool-Aid McKinstry, Penn State edge Chop Robinson.
Day 2 grades
Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Range: Second round (No. 34 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “(Frazier) was a four-time heavyweight wrestling state champion (285-pound weight class) and finished with only two losses (both came in his freshman year) and the highest winning percentage (.988) of any high school wrestler in Marion County history. … Impeccable work ethic, which dates back to his middle school days, when he built a home gym for himself. Overall, Frazier might not boast elite athleticism or length, but he is good enough in those areas and will win over NFL teams with his core strength, football IQ, competitive toughness and understanding of leverage. He projects as a quality NFL starting center the moment he is drafted.”
Fit in Detroit: It’s hard to think of better fits for the Lions than what you’ll read in Frazier’s excerpt. A four-time state champion wrestler? Check. Built his own gym in middle school? Check. A football junkie who was back running nine weeks after a broken leg? Check. Frazier has the potential to be a quality starting center immediately, though he wouldn’t have to be in Detroit. The question with the Lions is whether he can play guard until the center spot opens up. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him taken in the first round.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Range: Second round (No. 40 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Highly recruited, he had a short stint at Oregon before feeling ‘more comfortable’ closer to home with BYU, where he played both tackle spots. … Overall, Suamataia is still very young and lacks refinement in several areas, but his blend of size, mobility and core power are the foundation of a scheme-diverse NFL starter. He will require a patient coaching staff who can ease his transition to the pro level.”
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Fit in Detroit: Suamataia is a gifted offensive lineman with all the tools to become a quality starting tackle. However, one thing that stands out about Suamataia’s section in “The Beast” is how important fit will be. He committed to Oregon but struggled being away from his family and church and eventually transferred to BYU. One scout told Brugler he didn’t think Suamataia was ready, and hoped he didn’t get thrown to the wolves. In Detroit, he’d have family in town with his cousin Penei Sewell, and would be afforded time to learn from Sewell and Decker. Should the Lions not re-sign Decker in 2025, Sewell could slide to left tackle, with Suamataia taking over at right tackle. A good transition plan, but it would likely require a trade down from the first or up from the second, if the Lions don’t just take him at No. 29.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Range: Second-third round (No. 49 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “With his physicality and footwork, Rakestraw is at his best in press man, where he can stay square and smother underneath routes. Overall, Rakestraw doesn’t have the desired long speed or build for his position, and his injury history is a concern, but he plays aggressive, sticky coverage with NFL-quality movement skills and confidence. He has NFL starting man cover talent, if he stays healthy.”
Fit in Detroit: The Lions are reportedly bringing in Rakestraw for one of their 30 prospect visits, hoping to learn more about the Mizzou product. Rakestraw loves playing press-man coverage and is one of the most physical corners in the class playing the run. The main questions are his speed and injury history, but the Lions seem to be doing their homework on him regardless. He has the physicality and mentality defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn looks for in his corners.
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Range: Third round (No. 76 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Well-built athlete with speed. … Dangerous catch-and-run weapon on bubbles, slants and crossers. … Established a reputation for his reliability and toughness in the Gamecocks’ program. (NFL scout: ‘The coaches say he became their best practice player. And he never misses a practice.’) Overall, Legette needs to continue developing his route proficiency and tempo, but his film gives off DK Metcalf vibes, and he has the explosive speed and physicality to be a matchup weapon. He should be an immediate contributor on special teams before competing for starting reps outside.”
Fit in Detroit: The Lions could use a player of Legette’s talent. He has size (221 pounds) and speed (4.39 40), strong hands, a sound work ethic and, per Brugler, even loves playing special teams as a returner and gunner. He’s one of those “football players” Holmes often talks about. The Lions met with Legette at the combine, so they should have a feel for how he’s wired. His range is all over the place — projected in the late first with a third-round grade from Brugler — but he’d be a good fit in this Detroit offense.
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Austin Booker, edge, Kansas
Range: Third round (No. 78 overall)
Excerpt from “The Beast”: “Effective club-swim move and started to introduce better deception with his counters, including jabs, hesitation and ghost moves. …Takes contain responsibilities seriously. … Overall, Booker is lacking in body mass and overall experience (just 505 career college snaps), but he is an ascending player with the ability to maximize his athletic traits and body length/force with proper biomechanics. With his tools and instincts, he projects as a rotational player in Year 1 with the potential to become an impact starter.”
Fit in Detroit: The Lions could probably use another edge rusher, and if they can’t get one on Day 1, a prospect like Booker would make plenty of sense on Day 2. He has good size and length at 6-feet-4 with nearly 34-inch arms, but will need time to bulk up. He’s more inexperienced than raw, and is far enough along to be a rotational player in the beginning, with upside for much more — perhaps by Year 2 or 3. It’s hard to find “impact starters” this late. Booker could be one.
Other Day 2 fits: Michigan DB Mike Sainristil, Missouri edge Darius Robinson, Kansas State G Cooper Beebe, UConn G Christian Haynes, Kentucky CB Andru Phillips, Wake Forest S Malik Mustapha.
Day 3 grades from Brugler
North Carolina WR Devontez Walker (Third-fourth round): “Walker is a vertical/stretch receiver who requires a linear route tree, but he is a big-play threat with a promising catch radius and the speed to climb on top of coverage. He must develop better consistency in his routes and hands to be more than a complementary outside option.”
Michigan G Zak Zinter (fourth round): “Zinter won’t impress with explosion or leverage, but he is big, smart and physical, which allows him to control defenders, especially in closed quarters. He can have a Mark Glowinski type of NFL career, although his leg injury puts a discount sticker on his draft projection.”
Mississippi State CB Decamerion Richardson (fourth-fifth round): “Richardson’s inability to consistently make plays on the football is a red flag, but his size/speed traits and ascending talent are tools that defensive coaches will want to develop in the NFL. He projects as a developmental press-man cornerback.”
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Houston edge Nelson Ceaser (fifth round): “Ceaser finds himself slowed down by power-based blockers, but he shows variety in his pass rush, and NFL teams should be encouraged by his athletic flashes and football character. He projects as a part-time rusher with promise.”
Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd (sixth round): “Boyd can get stuck on blocks versus long-armed resistance, but he is a stout run stuffer who eats up space and flashes pass-rush potential. He will interest different schemes as a quality depth piece.”
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(Top photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
