CBS Sports has easily identified the most questionable 2024 draft pick for each team, and for the Lions, the decision is straightforward.
Overall, the reception of the Detroit Lions’ 2024 draft has been highly positive. They bolstered their cornerback depth chart with Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, added the draft class’s most versatile player in Sione Vaki, and secured what appear to be two late steals on Day 3 with Mehki Wingo and Christian Mahogany.
This draft success reflects well on Brad Holmes, the Lions’ general manager, who will undoubtedly have evidence at the ready if anyone doubts this year’s picks and they prove successful. Heading into the third day of the draft, the Lions faced a gap in picks from No. 61 to 164 after trading up for Arnold in the first round. It seemed inevitable that Holmes would take action to fill that void.
The first move was to acquire pick No. 126, trading a third-round pick in 2025 to the New York Jets. This raised the question: who was worth sacrificing a top-100 pick next year to acquire?
The answer came with the selection of University of British Columbia offensive tackle Giovanni Manu at pick 126. Initially perplexing, the decision became even more puzzling with plans to transition him to right guard despite his college experience on the left side of the line (in Canada).
While there is room for development and Manu doesn’t need to start immediately, using a near top-125 pick suggests a player with a more immediate impact might have been preferred, especially for a team contending for a Super Bowl.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports highlighted Manu as the Lions’ most questionable pick, noting that while he brings excitement with his size and athleticism, he’s very much a project. The transition from Canadian pass sets to NFL requirements adds to the challenge. Despite criticisms of other picks, Manu stands out as the most questionable selection for the Lions.