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Detroit Lions in NFL draft: 6 players who would make sense at 29th pick
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- Detroit Lions in NFL draft: 6 players who would make sense at 29th pick
Six players who would fit the Detroit Lions at Pick No. 29:
Cooper DeJean
Position: DB
College: Iowa
Vitals: 6-foot-1, 203 pounds
Scouting report: The Lions took two Iowa products in the first 34 picks last year, Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta , and could go back to the well this year for help for their secondary. DeJean is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the draft with the ability to play outside or slot cornerback or safety. He had seven interceptions in 2022-23, returned three of those for touchdowns, and doubles as one of the most dangerous punt returners in the draft. He missed the end of last season with a fractured fibula but ran a 40-yard dash in the low 4.4s at his pro day this month. He's a willing tackler, though he lacks length and some feel he's better suited for safety.
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He said it: "I do see him as an outside corner, especially somewhere like Detroit where you have such a great nickel player in Brian Branch , I would think Cooper would be able to play on the outside. But part of the reason that you like him as a prospect is because he can do a little bit of everything. He can play outside corner. He definitely has the speed, he has the footwork, he has the size. He can play inside corner. I think he's shown the instincts to do that. He could play safety. He's a great punt returner. Anytime the ball's in his hands you have to worry about him getting points for you, so yeah, he's a fantastic player." — ESPN analyst Matt Miller
Ennis Rakestraw
Position: CB
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College: Missouri
Vitals: 5-11, 183 pounds
Scouting report: A two-year starter, Rakestraw is considered one of the most physical cornerbacks in this year's draft. He was at his best playing press man coverage in college, and he's a willing tackler who never shies away from his duties in run support. Rakestraw missed most of the 2021 season with a torn ACL and is lighter than some of the other top cornerbacks. His only career interception came against Abilene Christian in 2022, but he did have 16 pass breakups and three forced fumbles the past two seasons.
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He said it: "He's my third corner. Kind of has some (Darius) Slay to him. Kind of built a little similarly to Slay. Tough, feisty, can press you. Plays with a ton of energy, which I love. … Just passionate, energetic dude. Real fluid, real fast, real tough." — NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah
Darius Robinson
Position: DL
College: Missouri
Vitals: 6-5, 285 pounds
Missouri defensive tackle Darius Robinson looks on during MU's game against Memphis at the Dome at America's Center on Sept. 23, 2023, in St. Louis, Mo.
Scouting report: Robinson played primarily inside early in his career, but shed weight and blossomed as a defensive end last season. He had a career-high 8.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and earned first-team All-SEC honors. A Canton High graduate and team captain at Missouri , Robinson is big and powerful with nearly 35-inch arms. He might never be a 10-sack edge rusher, but he's versatile and violent and would give the Lions another flex fit on their defensive line.
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He said it: "I like his power and strength. I think that's what really shows up on tape is he's a powerful football player. He can play multiple spots on the defensive line, which is going to give him value as well. You're hoping he's Cam Jordan , but that's like a dream. But that's the kind of type of player you kind of see when you watch him on tape is that physical, powerful guy that can play outside at left end, or he can play right end if you need to. You can move him inside a little bit if you need to. So I like him as a player, but I feel like he's more of again, that power player who I think is going to be more of that 32 to 42 range, rather than first-round type of guy." — SiriusXM NFL analyst Mark Dominik
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Johnny Newton
Position: DT
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College: Illinois
Vitals: 6-2, 304 pounds
Scouting report: Newton is widely regarded as the No. 2 interior defensive lineman in the class behind Texas' Byron Murphy and might not make it to Pick 29. If he does, he'd be an intriguing addition as a starting-caliber three technique playing alongside Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader . Newton, whose real first name is Jer'Zhan, is polished pass rusher and disruptive run defender who started three seasons at Illinois. He's a tad undersized and returning from foot surgery , but he blocked four kicks last season and rarely came out of the game for the Illini.
Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton (4) tackles Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
He said it: "I feel like I'm always going to be an underdog unless I'm No. 1 (pick of the draft), but even then it's a new process. A llot of teams have their different opinions on me, so I feel like it is what it is at that point. I'm just ready for whoever team wants me to draft me so I can show them." – Newton, at the NFL combine
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Zach Frazier
Position: OL
College: West Virginia
Vitals: 6-3, 313 pounds
Scouting report: A four-year starter at West Virginia, Frazier has experience playing both left guard and center. For the Lions, he likely would serve as the primary interior backup as a rookie then move into a starting role in 2025. A four-time state champion wrestler in high school who had a 4.0 grade-point average in college, Frazier earns high marks for his competitiveness and nastiness. He fractured his fibula late in a November game against Baylor and had the presence of mind to crawl off the field to avoid a clock runoff. Short arms (32 ¼ inch) and positional value could cause him to drop to Day 2, but he feels very much like a Dan Campbell/Brad Holmes-type player.
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He said it: "Run blocking's definitely my favorite. I like when we can tee off on some people. Pass blocking's fun, too, but for me, I'd run the ball all day." — Frazier, at the NFL combine
Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette (WO14) talks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Xavier Legette
Position: WR
College: South Carolina
Vitals: 6-1, 221 pounds
Scouting report: The Lions have not been connected to many receivers in the pre-draft process, but have a need at the position and could be in a sweet spot to draft one at the end of Round 1. Legette was a role player his first four seasons but blossomed with 71 catches for 1,255 yards last year. He's big and physical and able to win contested catches, and would be a nice addition to a receiving corps that has little beyond Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams . Legette earns high marks for his blocking, which the Lions like, and has developmental upside because of his inexperience.
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He said it: "He's rocked up, physical and he runs through traffic really, really well. He's going to give you a lot after the catch. He's just got to get better at beating press coverage at the top because sometimes those super muscular guys are not real loose and twitchy. That shows up for him sometime, he's a little bit stiff. He's just got to, I think, advance his route tree to where he's separating a little bit better with his feet as opposed to just trying to post guys up. I wouldn't be shocked if we see him get into the late first-round conversation." — Miller
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' NFL draft fits: Cooper DeJean, Zach Frazier at No. 29
