We've reached the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Detroit Lions have spent the first two days glued to their board, adding a pair of elite prospects in the process.
With four picks remaining, but nothing until the end of the fifth round, we'll see what Brad Holmes and company come up with. This is the part of the draft where you see the most versatility. Each team's board of directors is different. One person's seventh-round prospect might be another's fourth-round prospect.
It's all about finding depth and maybe a diamond in the rough or two.
Possible best options for black:
Go deeper
NFL Draft 2024 'The Beast' guide: Dane Brugler's scouting reports and player rankings
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
It's gone viral and has been compared to DJ Chark, but needs improvement.
Austin Booker, Edge, Kansas
A prospect who is inexperienced, but not completely raw, and has a good set of tools to work with. Booker could be a rotation player within the subpackage as a rookie, while developing into a starter.
Christian Mahogany, GI, Boston College
Mahogany looks like a 12-year vet in this league and gets the job done. The Lions could use a long-term replacement for Kevin Zeitler.
Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina State
He needs more polish, especially going down the road, but he has the size and speed to win on the field.
Malik Mustafa, S, Wake Forest
Mustafa lacks the requisite ball skills you are looking for, but he is an excellent forward and can provide immediate depth at safety.
Dominic Hampton, S., Washington
A safety with an impressive size/speed combination, Hampton is a third safety with special teams value. Black could use more in a room.
Mason McCormick, J., South Dakota State
An early backup at guard and center who could become a starter in time.
Javon Baker, WR, UCF
Baker, a former Alabama WR, can make all the contested catches. He needs to continue developing his path tree but there are tools to work with.
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
The son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, Brenden Rice is looking to make a name for himself in the NFL. He is a strong route runner and has talent in the end zone. He could contribute early as a rotating X-receiver.
Free daily NFL updates straight to your inbox. subscription
Free daily NFL updates straight to your inbox. subscription
He buys
Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
If the first round and early second round are too rich for a team with future center needs, Bortolini could be the guy on Day 3. He's an athlete (he broke Jason Kelce's three-cone combination record with a 7.16 time) and one of the smartest players in the class (he was recruited by Harvard and Yale).
Nelson Caesar, The Edge, Houston
A pass rusher who could provide extra juice if the Lions are looking for some. They met with him during the pre-draft process.
Beau Limmer, C, Arkansas
The last time the Lions took a center out of Arkansas, it led them to Frank Ragnow. Limmer isn't the same caliber of prospect, but he could provide backup value right away at center or guard.
Will Richard, K, Alabama
The consensus top player in the draft, the Lions could use competition for Michael Badgley and the long-term answer.
Christian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
A big, solid defensive tackle with underrated pass rush skills, Boyd beat some teams in the East-West Shrine Bowl. It will be an interesting fit on day three.
(Booker photo: Vasha Hunt/USA Today)
“Food ninja. Friendly thinker. Explorer. Entrepreneur. Zombie junkie.