Barring any trades, the Detroit Lions will have the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a position they have held twice in the past.
After missing with running back Garry James in 1986, the Lions struck gold in 1988 by selecting linebacker Chris Spielman, who had a successful career in the NFL.
Spielman was a runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year and went on to earn four Pro Bowl selections, one first-team All-Pro nod, and two second-team All-Pro honors.
Let’s take a look at how teams have fared with the 29th overall pick in the NFL Draft since 2010, along with any notable achievements for each player:
2010 – DB Kyle Wilson, New York Jets: 95 games (32 starts)
2011 – OT Gabe Carimi, Chicago Bears: 48 games (26 starts)
2012 – DB Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings: Six Pro Bowls, one first-team All-Pro, one second-team All-Pro
2013 – WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings: Four Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Pros, two second-team All-Pros (all as a returner)
2014 – DT Dominique Easley, New England Patriots: 41 games (6 starts)
2015 – WR Phillip Dorsett, Indianapolis Colts: 94 games (20 starts)
2016 – DT Robert Nkemdiche, Arizona Cardinals: 38 games (6 starts)
2017 – TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns: One Pro Bowl
2018 – DT Taven Bryan, Jacksonville Jaguars: 96 games (40 starts)
2019 – DE L.J. Collier, Seattle Seahawks: 46 games (17 starts)
2020 – OT Isaiah Wilson, Tennessee Titans: 1 game (0 starts)
2021 – DB Eric Stokes, Green Bay Packers: 28 games (25 starts)
2022 – OL Cole Strange, New England Patriots: 27 games (27 starts)
2023: DT Bryan Bresee, New Orleans Saints: 17 games (0 starts)