Most pundits believe that if the Detroit Lions move up from their No. 29 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, they will do so to fill a probable roster gap. However, SI.com’s All Lions’ Christian Booher advocated that the Lions trade down to obtain more draft money and sign Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske.
In his latest Lions mock draft on March 6, Booher chose to investigate the prospect of Detroit dealing the No. 29 choice for more picks. In his trade proposal, the Lions acquired the No. 43 and 79 picks from the Atlanta Falcons in return for the No. 29 overall pick.
This may be considered a conventional NFL draft trade. However, in this scenario, Booher predicted that the Falcons will choose quarterback Bo Nix at No. 29.
“I have the Falcons selecting wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 8 overall pick,” Booher said in an email. “Seeing their need at quarterback with Oregon’s Bo Nix still on the board, they move back into the first round to acquire Nix with the fifth-year option being in play.”
The media is expected to regard any trade up in the first round for a quarterback as a blockbuster.
Then, with their new No. 43 pick, Booher projected the Lions would take Fiske.
“He had an exceptional run at Western Michigan, then proved that his talent was sustainable in his final collegiate season at Florida State,” Booher said in a statement. “Fiske has game-changing potential on the interior as a run defender and pass rusher.
“He’s athletic and can play multiple spots on the interior, making him an appealing addition to Detroit’s front seven.”
