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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Terrion Arnold #6 of the Detroit Lions runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on November 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
They say it takes three years to properly assess whether an NFL Draft was successful or not. If that’s the case, time is running out on the Detroit Lions’ 2024 selections.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes was on an all-time hot streak when it came to his first three draft classes in Detroit. From 2021-23, Holmes managed to find eight players who have either earned a Pro Bowl or All-Pro designation. Ten of those picks have already earned a second contract, and at least three more are likely to follow.
But that 2024 class has gotten off to a rough start. First-round pick Terrion Arnold has yet to put the promise he’s shown in training camp and carry it over to gameday. Second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw has only made eight game appearances as he’s struggled through injury. Giovanni Manu hasn’t taken the developmental steps the team has wanted, and now he’s buried fairly deep on the depth chart. Sione Vaki has shown his special teams value, but has had issues staying healthy. Mekhi Wingo has played in just 235 snaps over two years, and Christian Mahogany took a step back in 2025 after a promising finish to his rookie season.
But with two more years left on each players’ contract, is there enough time for the narrative to change on that draft class? That is the question we seek to answer on this week’s Midweek Mailbag episode.
On one hand, the opportunities should be there for several of these players. Arnold enters the season as a presumed starter. Mahogany, while in a positional battle, likely enters the offseason program in a starting role. If those two alone can thrive in their current roles over the next two years, it immediately shifts the narrative of this draft class.
However, the outlook of a few other picks seem bleak. Manu is unlikely to ever assume a starting role now that Detroit has two first-round picks devoted to the tackle positions. Wingo could barely find the field last year, and now the defensive tackle room has more youth, health, and competition. And it’s unclear where Vaki stands from an offensive standpoint.
On this week’s show, we break down our full thoughts on the class, who is most likely to break out in 2026, and debate whether any of those players will eventually get contract extension.
Also on this week’s show:
- What can Jack Campbell improve upon in 2026?
- What is the best case scenario for Derrick Barnes?
- Why have the Lions cornerbacks been injured so often?
- Predicting the Week 1 starting safeties
- What will the interior DL rotation look like?
- Who will be this year’s breakout DL (ie: Al-Quadin Muhammad, Charles Harris)
- What are some techniques to see the game better as a fan?
As always, you can check out the show on any podcasting platform or using the Spotify embed below:
Catch some bonus content of this week’s show by watching it on our Twitch or YouTube pages.
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