With the 2026 NFL draft just a few days away, let's look back at the 2024 Detroit Lions draft picks. Immediately after the 2024 draft, I recorded a Detroit Lions 2024 Draft Pick Analysis Video Podcast.
In the video, I addressed topics which are still very relevant including:
Importance of draft prospect age - It was important in 2024 and is just as important now. Brad Holmes addressed the concern with older prospects in his 2026 pre-draft press conference.
Ennis Rakestraw core muscle surgery - Explanation of a core muscle injury and the concern level moving forward. Multiple 2026 CB prospects have a history of core muscle injuries.
Schedule release day excitement - It’s an important day for Lions’ fans who travel to games. The 2026 schedule release is expected in mid-May.
Here is the list of Lions 2024 draft picks including their medical history since entering the NFL:
Unfortunately, all the Lions 2024 draft picks have had significant injuries since joining the NFL. Could any of this been forecasted?
Watch the video and see the injury updates below. The takeaway is that drafting medically clean prospects will not fully protect against future injuries.
Round 1, Pick 24: Terrion Arnold, CB (Alabama) - Season-ending shoulder surgery and concussion in 2025.
Round 2, Pick 61: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB (Missouri) - Multiple hamstring injuries in 2024 and season-ending shoulder surgery in 2025 training camp.
Round 4, Pick 126: Giovanni Manu, OT (University of British Columbia) - Knee injury in October 2025 kept him out the rest of the season.
Round 4, Pick 132: Sione Vaki, RB/S (Utah) - Multiple injuries in 2025 including hamstring, groin, ankle, thumb, and possible shoulder.
Round 6, Pick 189: Mekhi Wingo, DT (LSU) - Knee meniscus surgery ended 2024 season. Had a follow up surgery which delayed recovery. Limited to two game appearances in 2025.
Round 6, Pick 210: Christian Mahogany, G (Boston College) - Mononucleosis knocked him out the first half of 2024. Fractured fibula kept him out for six weeks in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions' 2024 NFL draft: Throwback analysis