The Detroit Lions should select an edge rusher or cornerback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Either would improve Detroit’s pass defense, which finished the previous season ranked 27th.
Value, though, may determine where the Lions choose to select with their 29th overall pick. In light of this, Jordan Reid of ESPN projected that the Lions will select Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton at No. 29 in the opening round.
Newton can play various spots up front and is the greatest interior defender in this class when healthy, according to Reid. Placing Newton in the 3-technique place should strengthen the Lions’ interior since Alim McNeill mainly plays at the 1-technique position. The previous season at Illinois, he recorded 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
“Detroit also has a serious need at cornerback, but Newton is a great value here, so the Lions can choose the “best player available.”
Newton had 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2022 in addition to his 2023 stats. He recorded 18 sacks, 27.5 tackles for loss, 5 pass defenses, and 2 forced fumbles in 44 games while playing at Illinois.
Dave Holcomb is a sportswriter for Heavy.com who covers the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. Holcomb, who is originally from Pittsburgh, has covered professional and collegiate sports for publications like Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker. Additional information on Dave Holcomb
