The Lions may finally be getting something out of their 2024 draft class.
That might sound like a leap after one good week, and it is. But after Detroit’s Week 3 win over the New York Jets, three names from that class - Christian Mahogany, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Sione Vaki - at least look like they’ve started to settle in. For a team with a key November trade deadline coming up, that matters.
Mahogany was back in the mix at left guard and handled the job like someone trying to lock it down for good. Ben Bartch was inactive, so Mahogany was pressed into a heavy workload despite coming off a Week 1 injury. He didn’t show any obvious setbacks, and the production followed: strong pass protection, solid run blocking, and an 88.5 PFF pass blocking grade, which ranked third overall and tied him with Tate Ratledge.
That’s the kind of showing Detroit needs from him, because the options around him are thin. Bartch is basically the only real competition at left guard, and he’s even more injury prone than Mahogany.
Juice Scruggs is also in the mix, but Mahogany clearly helped his case with the way he played against the Jets. If he keeps this up, he becomes a major piece of what the Lions want their offensive line to be now and down the road.
Rakestraw made his case on the other side of the ball. He was active in limited snaps, broke up one pass, and stayed tight in coverage. On Monday, Dan Campbell said Rakestraw has "earned" more chances to stick in the regular cornerback rotation moving forward.
The young corner made his presence felt against Garrett Wilson, forcing the first pass breakup of his career and later closing on another incompletion to Wilson in the fourth quarter. He’s one of the few corners on the roster who brings both length and youth, and that gives Detroit a real reason to keep giving him chances instead of pushing him aside for a trade deadline addition.
Then there’s Vaki, who may have been the most useful of the three in Week 3. His pass blocking stood out in a big way.
Jahmyr Gibbs struggled to hold up against New York’s pressure, and the Lions turned to Vaki repeatedly on passing downs to help keep Jared Goff upright. He responded with the kind of physical, willing work that coaches trust.
Detroit needs a dependable RB2 behind Gibbs, especially one who can provide even some of the pass protection the offense lost when it traded David Montgomery away. If Vaki can keep offering that kind of toughness, plus help in short-yardage spots, he becomes useful right away for offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and Goff.
In Other News...
Lions Just Reopened A Roster Spot With A Familiar Return
The Lions made a familiar practice-squad swap Tuesday, parting ways with cornerback Natrone Brooks and bringing back tight end Miles Kitselman. Kitselman is returning to Detroit after previously being waived with an injury settlement, a transaction that had temporarily taken him off the teams roster picture but left the door open for a reunion down the line.
Kitselmans return gives Detroit another look at a player the organization already knows, while the move also keeps the tight end room in motion after a series of roster adjustments at the position. The broader backdrop includes the injury settlement process, which can create an opening for a later return, and it comes amid other recent moves involving tight ends and defensive end Ahmed Hassanein. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Campbell Just Made Derrick Moores Path To Playing Time Clear
Derrick Moore has spent the early part of his Lions career a step behind, a familiar place for a rookie defensive end trying to climb a crowded depth chart while also dealing with lost practice time because of injury. For a Detroit defense that is still sorting through adjustments, the development curve has been especially important, and head coach Dan Campbell made it clear Moores next step is all about getting more work and turning those reps into trust.
Campbell said Moore needs those chances to keep growing, and that the expectation inside the building is he will improve and push for more playing time as he gets comfortable. Campbell also noted he has been spending extra time in defensive meetings to help with the ongoing adjustments on that side of the ball, which only adds to the sense that Detroit is trying to steady the group while waiting for younger pieces like Moore to catch up. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have A Tough Center Decision Before Division Games
Juice Scruggs has handled the center job well through the first three games, giving the Lions something they needed in the middle of the offensive line after moving him into the role. He has graded out strongly and looked comfortable enough that Detroit now has a real decision to make as the schedule turns tougher, with divisional games looming against the Packers and Vikings.
Dan Campbell said Cade Mays is making progress in his recovery, but a Week 4 return may still be a stretch, and the Lions may choose to wait until after the bye before bringing him back into the mix. That leaves Detroit weighing continuity against the possibility of getting Mays back in place at center, a choice that could shape how the line holds up in the games that matter most for the division race. [Read more 🡒]