Detroit’s rookies got their introduction to the NFL this offseason during OTAs and minicamp. The competition level will ramp up for them significantly come training camp, and they’ll need to elevate their game accordingly.
Their NFL experience starts for real when the pads come on in training camp and then when the preseason starts. Before that, let’s take a look back at some interesting numbers and statistics for the Lions 2024 draft class of six players and for some of the undrafted rookies.
1: Only one sack allowed by sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany in 34 games played at Boston College – 23 as a right guard and 11 playing left guard. He did not allow a sack or quarterback hit on 424 dropbacks this past season.
1 & 1: Fourth-round pick Sione Vaki was a finalist at Utah for the Paul Hornung award as the most versatile player in college football after playing both safety and running back last season. He contributed both a sack and receiving touchdown during a Nov. 11 game against Washington, becoming the first Pac-12 player in a decade to accomplish that feat.
4.96: The 40-yard dash time for fourth-round tackle Giovanni Manu at his pro day at the University of British Columbia. Had Manu been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine that time would have been the fifth best among all tackles there. His 33.5-inch vertical would have ranked seventh. It’s worth noting Manu stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 352 pounds.
8.73: Second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was part of one of the most historic high school defenses in Texas state history. Duncanville’s defense allowed just 8.73 points per game during the 2018 season. The unit tallied six shutouts and 11 times in 15 games held opponents to a touchdown or less, according to the Dallas News. During a nine-week stretch spanning the end of the regular season and midway through the postseason, the Panthers scored 10 defensive touchdowns while allowing just five to opposing offenses.
16.6: Average points per game for cornerback Terrion Arnold playing high school basketball at John Paul II Catholic High School in Florida. Arnold always thought basketball was in his future before focusing solely on football at Alabama. His basketball skills certainly translated to the football field as his ball skills were some of the best in college football last season. Arnold led the SEC with five interceptions and 17 passes defended.
17: Undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams was second in the Big Ten with 17 catches of 20-plus yards last season.
18: Sixth-round pick Mekhi Wingo wore the prestigious No. 18 jersey last season for LSU.
“The No. 18 is the player who brings all those traits of someone who leads in an extraordinary manner,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly told Sports Illustrated of the significance of the jersey. “The attention to detail, great focus, represents the program in a positive way in the classroom, in the community and on the field.”
18.5: Average yards per reception last season for Vaki after moving over from safety to running back. He also had three receiving touchdowns. His hands were very impressive in OTAs and minicamp this spring.
26: Arnold had more passes defended (26) than games played (25) during his time at Alabama.
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28.0 & 40.0: Undrafted rookie outside linebacker Nate Lynn finished his career No. 2 in William & Mary history with 28.0 sacks and No. 3 in tackles for loss (40.0). He played both inside and on the edge at 6-foot-2, 253 pounds. He forced 12 fumbles the last three seasons combined.
55: Despite his smaller frame at 6-foot, 284 pounds, Wingo averaged 55 defensive snaps per game during his two seasons at LSU. He had 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks playing mostly the three-technique in 22 games played for the Tigers in 2022 and 2023.
158: The rushing yards against Cal for Vaki were the most in a single game by a primarily defensive player in Pac-12 history.
250: Special teams snaps in college at Missouri for Rakestraw. That could be an area where he contributes immediately and significantly for the Lions.
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