Lions Projected to Make ‘Home Run’ Addition to Defense

Getty The 33rd Team's Marcus Mosher predicted head coach Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions to draft Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher suggested the Detroit Lions are a team that could make some serious noise during the 2023-24 NFL postseason. But he also pointed to one obvious weakness that could plague the Lions in January.

This offseason, though, Mosher predicted the Lions to address that weakness early in the 2024 NFL draft.

In his newest 2024 NFL mock draft released on January 12, Mosher had Detroit landing Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 28 overall in the first round.

“The Detroit Lions are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC, but their secondary might hold them back from making a run in the playoffs,” wrote Mosher.

“Quinyon Mitchell would be a home-run pick for Detroit after dominating at Toledo for the last two seasons. The jump in competition will be significant, but everything about his game suggests he could be a star in the NFL.”

In four seasons at Toledo, Mitchell posted 123 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss, 45 pass defenses and 6 interceptions. He returned 2 of those picks for touchdowns.

Mitchell also had 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery in 43 college games.

How Quinyon Mitchell Could Fit With the Lions

The Lions added veteran cornerback Cameron Sutton through free agency and drafted Brian Branch last offseason. But the Lions still have a need at cornerback.

Jerry Jacobs began the season as the team’s starting cornerback opposite Sutton with Branch manning the slot. But Jacobs lost his job to Khalil Dorsey in Week 15. Then veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor started the final two games of the season.

Regardless, Jacobs, Dorsey and Vildor will all be free agents at the end of the season. Therefore, there’s an obvious hole at cornerback the Lions will need to fill.

The Bleacher Report NFL staff labeled Chicago Bears pending free agent Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson the top free agent target for the Detroit this offseason. But Bears general manager Ryan Poles told the media on January 10 that Johnson is “not going to go anywhere.”

Addressing that need in the first round could give the Lions another young piece to build around in the secondary. Detroit finished the 2023 regular season ranked 27th in passing yards allowed.

Cornerback the Biggest Need on Lions Defense?

While Mosher made a strong case for the Lions selecting Mitchell in the first round, it’s far from a consensus that Detroit’s biggest need on defense this offseason will be cornerback.

Recent mock drafts from The Athletic, Pro Football Focus and ESPN had the Lions targeting a pass rusher with their first-round pick.

Although the Lions finished first in pressure rate, quarterback knockdown percentage and hurry rate this season, they were tied for 23rd in sacks.

Free agency could determine whether the Lions address their secondary or pass rush with their first-round pick. Linebacker James Houston could also play a role.

Houston was expected to be Detroit’s top edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson during the 2023 season. But Houston sustained an ankle injury in September and hasn’t played since Week 2.

If the Lions have confidence that Houston could return to his rookie form, then maybe Detroit will be more interested in Mitchell and the top cornerbacks in the 2024 class.

Houston had 8 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits in seven games as a rookie in 2022.