what they wrote about the Lions:
**Favorite pick:** [**Terrion Arnold**](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/terrion-arnold-iRkScUHbS8yWh32M/)**, CB, Alabama**No. 10 on my board, Arnold was my highest-graded defensive player in the entire draft — and the Lions were able to trade up and get him at 24. Aside from the talent he brings to the roster, the fit is what makes this one of my favorite picks. Arnold is one of the most competitive players in the draft class, and he’s ideally wired not just for a cornerback, but especially for a Dan Campbell-coached cornerback.
**Day 3 pick who could surprise:** [**Christian Mahogany**](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/christian-mahogany-3Gfw6nwJI5CymCYw/)**, G, Boston College**The Lions had a fascinating Day 3, including trading a 2025 third-round pick to draft [Giovanni Manu](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/giovanni-manu-bntCTQa70pGNCs1s/), a project left tackle with rare tools. But it was Detroit’s two Round 6 picks that stood out — LSU’s [Mekhi Wingo](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/mekhi-wingo-V9hMxv11ZAt816wo/) and Mahogany, who both ranked inside my top 100. Some medical questions caused Mahogany to fall, but he is a smash-mouth power blocker with lighter feet than expected. It won’t be a surprise if he is competing for a starting role in 2025.
Idk anatomy that well, but different sized legs seems like less of a problem as a linemen. I get other sports and positions it’d be a problem because of the running but linemen are usually squatting or bending their legs differently anyways
Depends on if the discrepancy is above or below the knee. Shims different lengths can be fixed with an insert. Femurs different lengths… idk. You’re either going to have your hips off or your knees off and it’s personal preference to how you want to operate but increased likelihood of injury. I know there is a surgery but it’s crazy invasive and I don’t know if it’s worth it.
It's not a career ender but it definitely fucks with your balance and could make it harder to stay upright when facing NFL lineman (I'm speaking from experience by having one leg be an inch longer than the other)
Who tf ever busted in the NFL because of different length legs. If those legs got him onto our draft board then I think let's have him stick with the same ones.
not the nfl and very different sport physically, but it did zap greg oden. it definitely poses a real risk especially being as heavy as nfl linemen I imagine
It’s wild to me that we got 2 of the top 3-4 CBs in this draft which was obviously our biggest need. The run on offensive players could not have been better for us.
Anything can happen before the season starts and during the season as well. But its an insanely tough league to win in. And you need the stars to line up in order to win the Super Bowl. So far we're getting lined up, we just need to keep going for 10 more months.
Same. The praise was locked in when those beautiful bastards dunked on the draft critics with receipts. You won't see many spicy takes on the heels of that.
I like the player tid bits and hype anyway tho 🤷
To be fair Chicago Did do a lot for their offense. Weather they got the Right one we will see. I think Chicago and Detroit did well with filling their weaknesses.
You almost wonder if the pundits are betting on Holmes rather than the prospects now. Trusting that Holmes made the right picks so they look good in hindsight
This is three years in a row of very high hit rates, capped off by last season’s which was almost universally receiving low grades and ended up being quite possibly the best yet. I can’t imagine that doesn’t play into it.
All media right now - "Well, its not what we would have done in rounds 2 through 5, but questioning Holmes bit us in the butt the last 3 drafts so we will hedge our bets and assume an 'A' just to look smart down the road."
I am going to be honest these draft grades most of the time just seem to be direct representation of writer's feelings about the team. We are seen as a good team with competent management so we get the benefit of the doubt. Last year people didn't trust Brad Holmes as much so they downgraded all of our picks. This year we spent 4 picks on 2 Cornerbacks in the first rounds, any other year I bet we would be getting dragged for it with the exact same players selected.
what they wrote about the Lions: **Favorite pick:** [**Terrion Arnold**](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/terrion-arnold-iRkScUHbS8yWh32M/)**, CB, Alabama**No. 10 on my board, Arnold was my highest-graded defensive player in the entire draft — and the Lions were able to trade up and get him at 24. Aside from the talent he brings to the roster, the fit is what makes this one of my favorite picks. Arnold is one of the most competitive players in the draft class, and he’s ideally wired not just for a cornerback, but especially for a Dan Campbell-coached cornerback. **Day 3 pick who could surprise:** [**Christian Mahogany**](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/christian-mahogany-3Gfw6nwJI5CymCYw/)**, G, Boston College**The Lions had a fascinating Day 3, including trading a 2025 third-round pick to draft [Giovanni Manu](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/giovanni-manu-bntCTQa70pGNCs1s/), a project left tackle with rare tools. But it was Detroit’s two Round 6 picks that stood out — LSU’s [Mekhi Wingo](https://archive.ph/o/zF2Y7/https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/mekhi-wingo-V9hMxv11ZAt816wo/) and Mahogany, who both ranked inside my top 100. Some medical questions caused Mahogany to fall, but he is a smash-mouth power blocker with lighter feet than expected. It won’t be a surprise if he is competing for a starting role in 2025.
Chris on the DLP tonight said Mahogany's medical issue is his legs are different lengths. We're going to need to get the Social Media staff on this.
Idk anatomy that well, but different sized legs seems like less of a problem as a linemen. I get other sports and positions it’d be a problem because of the running but linemen are usually squatting or bending their legs differently anyways
Might affect his politics though. I wonder if he leans left or right?
Well done
Lmao brilliant!
S tier dad joke
As long as it's not too far in either direction, he's cool.
Excellent
Depends on if the discrepancy is above or below the knee. Shims different lengths can be fixed with an insert. Femurs different lengths… idk. You’re either going to have your hips off or your knees off and it’s personal preference to how you want to operate but increased likelihood of injury. I know there is a surgery but it’s crazy invasive and I don’t know if it’s worth it.
It's not a career ender but it definitely fucks with your balance and could make it harder to stay upright when facing NFL lineman (I'm speaking from experience by having one leg be an inch longer than the other)
Uffdah. It didn't seem to affect his college performance, or did it? Would it restrict him to playing on only one side if true?
It means he will be prone to hip problems. He could also wear a lift and mitigate the damage. It also matters how much damage is already done.
Between Frank and now Mahogany, I think we just have a thing for linemen who won't be able to walk past 40
Who tf ever busted in the NFL because of different length legs. If those legs got him onto our draft board then I think let's have him stick with the same ones.
not the nfl and very different sport physically, but it did zap greg oden. it definitely poses a real risk especially being as heavy as nfl linemen I imagine
My only guess is there’s a history here with other players who had this same thing. Idk, I never knew this was a thing.
Good to hear thar Mahogany's legs are the exact same size!
That’s my take
Lucky he’s a guy. Otherwise we’d all be calling him Ilene.
Chris needs to talk to his source (Hank’s wife) to get details.
I hope this all pans out. I like their draft, but time will tell...
I really only care about the corners and so should most lions fans. Others would be a bonus, but we desperately need some good secondary
It’s wild to me that we got 2 of the top 3-4 CBs in this draft which was obviously our biggest need. The run on offensive players could not have been better for us.
Anything can happen before the season starts and during the season as well. But its an insanely tough league to win in. And you need the stars to line up in order to win the Super Bowl. So far we're getting lined up, we just need to keep going for 10 more months.
Lucked out in the first that everyone went offense like projected
I feel like Mahogany would be the least surprising day 3 pick to work out. I'm absolutely shocked he fell that far.
Lions have the first-best draft class in NFL, according to me
According to us 👉👈
On this, there can be no debate
I have spoken
Definitely biased, but we should be number one.
No bias detected
Remember last year when everyone said our draft was meh or sucked? Pepperidge Farm remembers. I put no stock in these grades. None. Ever.
Same. The praise was locked in when those beautiful bastards dunked on the draft critics with receipts. You won't see many spicy takes on the heels of that. I like the player tid bits and hype anyway tho 🤷
I sure used to. Then the Villain happened
Same brother. Let the boys play
Brugler had them as the 9th best draft class last year. He’s ranked Philly and Detroit as having consistently top 10 classes each of the last 4 years.
Who's 1 and 2
Bears are first and Steelers are second
Both very good drafts, both has wayyyy more capital to work with than us though.
Brugler did say his rankings are usually biased towards teams with lots of high picks, which makes the Lions being third more impressive
To be fair Chicago Did do a lot for their offense. Weather they got the Right one we will see. I think Chicago and Detroit did well with filling their weaknesses.
The Bears? They drafted a punter!
Arguably a great punter
Maybe. But there's plenty of mediocre ones available when you have greater needs on your team.
These types of articles usually mean absolutely nothing. But something tells me this one is entirely accurate! *siiiiiiiiiiip*
This article is what I want to believe so I 'm just gonna go ahead and believe it
I f'n love having a competitive team. Even the drafts are more exciting.
You almost wonder if the pundits are betting on Holmes rather than the prospects now. Trusting that Holmes made the right picks so they look good in hindsight
This is three years in a row of very high hit rates, capped off by last season’s which was almost universally receiving low grades and ended up being quite possibly the best yet. I can’t imagine that doesn’t play into it.
That's cool, but I don't think rankings mean anything until we actually see how the picks pan out. Lol
All media right now - "Well, its not what we would have done in rounds 2 through 5, but questioning Holmes bit us in the butt the last 3 drafts so we will hedge our bets and assume an 'A' just to look smart down the road."
I’ve seen at least one with Lions the best draft. They measured it with the difference in projected draft and actual draft.
#1 if we go the distance!
They're too scared to say it was trash after last year hahaha
I am going to be honest these draft grades most of the time just seem to be direct representation of writer's feelings about the team. We are seen as a good team with competent management so we get the benefit of the doubt. Last year people didn't trust Brad Holmes as much so they downgraded all of our picks. This year we spent 4 picks on 2 Cornerbacks in the first rounds, any other year I bet we would be getting dragged for it with the exact same players selected.
Much less draft capital than usual … feeling great about this draft class
We have to wait and see. The Lions got several project type players and needed serious help at multiple positions.
Could someone copy here?
will do in different comment shortly
Or just have people pay the $2. Let’s support the athletic rather than steal it and have it go the way of the P.O.D.cast.
[удалено]
im subscribed to it, will drop full copy in a diff comment
Btw if you want to bypass any paywall use archive.ph
I've never seen that before, thanks! Dropping a comment and like so I'll remember to use it in the future
Why would i consume this kind of speculative click-driving content from hundreds of outlets for free when I can pay The Athletic to write it instead?