GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: A detailed view of a Detroit Lions helmet prior to a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Jared Goff will have additional protection from the rookie Lions player.
Like many NFL clubs at this time of year, the Detroit Lions are in the process of assembling their roster for the upcoming campaign. They selected six players in the 2024 NFL Draft, the majority of whom they have already reached agreements with. In order to fill out their 90-man roster before cutting it down to the final 53 for the regular season, they have also signed 15 undrafted free agents.
That leaves 21 rookies who now have an opportunity to contribute to the 2024 Lions roster. Who will, though, take the risk and stand up?
Over the past three years, Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have made it clear that they take great satisfaction in realizing the potential of their rookies. They’ve had three excellent draft classes and have even made an effort to maximize the potential of a few undrafted free agents during their brief stay.
Focusing on the draft choices in particular, we examine this year’s rookie sleeper from the draft class and why. You probably just need to look at the Lions’ final selection of all six draft picks—Christian Mahogany, a sixth-round choice from Boston College at position 210 overall—out of consideration.
Christian Mahogany could make an immediate impact for the Lions in 2024
Boston College guard Christian Mahogany was seen as a top-100 talent going into the 2024 NFL Draft, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic. “He plays like a bouncer outside of a club, looking to bash heads with power and forceful hands,” Brugler continued. That is undoubtedly one way to phrase it.
Mahogany started for the Eagles for three seasons, totaling over 2,300 snaps, the most of which were at right guard. He probably would have had a lot more than that in 2022 if not for an ACL tear that kept him out of the game for the full season. After recovering from an injury the previous season, he emerged as one of the top blockers in the ACC, allowing only seven rushes, no hits, and no sacks. Throughout his tenure at Chestnut Hill, he only gave up four sacks.
Pro Football Focus grades show that he never had a pass blocking grade of less than 76 and as high as 82.2. Although he could improve on his run-blocking, which he assessed 60 or worse in four games during the previous season, he finished his collegiate career with an overall rating of 74.5.
Mahogany ought to mesh well with the Lions’ offensive line, which is already very skilled and finished in the league’s top five last season. First of all, most of the other clubs may have avoided him since he appears to match Detroit’s preferred gap strategy. Furthermore, despite their strong offensive line right now, they have two guards who are older than thirty-five: Kevin Zeitler, 34, and Graham Glasgow, nearly 32. Furthermore, in the NFL, offensive line depth is constantly in high demand.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Holmes remarked, “He’s got some dirtbag in him.” He’s simply another one of those tough Jersey boys who doesn’t put up with much. He has some entertaining film to watch, and he has performed well when against some strong defensive linemen. We were therefore thrilled to have him.
Mahogany was the final selection made by the Lions in their 2024 draft class. Along with him, Detroit selected offensive tackles Giovanni Manu of British Columbia and Mekhi Wingo of LSU as well as three offensive linemen overall.
