The Detroit Lions are making their pick later in the 2024 NFL Draft than ever before. However, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. still projects the Lions will start Iowa State cornerback T.J.
Tampa in the first round. Kiper predicted the Lions would select Tampa with the 29th overall pick in the final mock draft on Feb. 28.
“This is an angle that probably goes unnoticed. “Tampa can start playing for the team from day one,” Kiper wrote. “He took about 900 photos and reviewed every route while covering the Cyclones. The closest defense allowed four touchdowns in 2021, but only three in the following two seasons.
“He made great progress in 2023. Tampa only had three interceptions in college, but I think he can do more in the NFL. »
Tampa earned a spot on the AP list, was named a first-team All-Big 12 coach for the 2023 season, and was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award, given annually to college football’s best defensive player. Best defensive player in college football. In 37 college games at Iowa State, Tampa recorded 107 tackles, 19 passes defensed and three interceptions. He recorded 44 tackles in 2023, including three for a loss, seven passes defensed, and two interceptions. Why Iowa’s T.J. Tampa could be a Lions target
NFL analysts like Bleacher Report’s Christopher Knox are suggesting the Lions be aggressive and trade up in the first round to acquire one of the top cornerbacks in the 2024 class.
But some scouts say the Lions could acquire one of the top prospects at the position if they take Tampa with the 29th overall pick. “Tampa has one of the best cornerback prospects in the 2024 draft class,” wrote Corey Giddings of T.J. Bleacher Report. “The long-limbed athlete has the perfect length and size for the cornerback position and was named to the 2022 All-Big 12 Second Team by the conference coaches.”
Ironically, Giddings compared Tampa to current Lions cornerback Ifethu Melifonwu, who will become Detroit’s starter at the end of 2023. Giddings and Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings believe Tampa could be an early second-round pick or a late first-round pick.
“Tampa is a top 50 prospect on my board in the 2024 NFL Draft and a top 5 second cornerback prospect,” Cummings wrote. “He deserves to win early on day two, but with his elite physical tools and top-notch conditioning, he can turn heads late in the first round as well.”
Lions linked to multiple cornerbacks in NFL free agency
NFL experts have pegged the Lions as having plenty of cornerback options, especially those available in free agency. It’s easy to see why. The Lions entered the 2023 season ranked 27th in pass defense, 27th in touchdowns allowed per pass attempt and 29th in yards allowed. Detroit is also expected to lose a lot of depth in its secondary, especially at cornerback. Veteran cornerbacks Kindle Wildor, Jerry Jacobs and Emmanuel Moseley will become unrestricted free agents in March. As such, the Lions have been linked to the top cornerbacks available in free agency, Jarius Snead and Kendall Fuller.
Detroit is also a popular team with trade rumors surrounding the veteran cornerback. However, the need for a cornerback is clear, and the lack of depth at the position heading into free agency means the Lions will likely draft a cornerback in March and will be available in 2024 anyway. It wouldn’t be surprising if the goal is to take a cornerback early in the NFL Draft.
Dave Holcomb is a sports writer covering the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions for Heavy.com. Holcomb, a Pittsburgh native, has covered college and professional sports for publications such as Fanside, RotoWire and Yard Barker. Learn more about Dave Holcomb
Detroit Lions fans are scouring the free agent quarterback market like a swarm of vultures. This position is clearly one of the team’s biggest needs, and with less money available in free agency, it would be easy for the Lions to acquire a talented young cornerback when free agency opens in two weeks. I can imagine it.
However, news from the NFL combine suggests that two of the top picks may not become free agents. Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson and Chiefs cornerback Rajarius Snead are widely considered the top two options in this year’s class, but each team’s general managers have decided on either one after speaking on Tuesday. It appears to be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.
Bears general manager Ryan Pauls said he expects to reach an agreement with Johnson this offseason.
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