Detroit Lions trade up for LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo in Round 6 of NFL draft 2024
The Detroit Lions traded up for the third time Saturday and selected LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo in the sixth round with the No. 189 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft hosted in downtown Detroit.
The Lions dealt to the Houston Texans a sixth-round pick (No. 205) and a seventh-rounder (No. 249). They still hold a sixth-round pick, No. 210 overall.
Wingo, from St. Louis, started his career at Missouri in 2021, then transferred to LSU. He played in eight games as a junior in 2023, with seven starts. He had 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and 4½ sacks. He had surgery for a lower-body injury late in the regular season, but returned for the Tigers' ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin.
Wingo earned third-team All-America honors in 2022 at LSU and was voted a team captain last season. He had 7½ sacks in 22 games as an interior pass rusher with the Tigers, but will have to overcome size deficiencies in the NFL at 6 feet and 284 pounds.
The Lions signed D.J. Reader in free agency to pair with Alim McNeill, but have backup snaps available at defensive tackle.
Young backups Levi Onwuzurike and Brodric Martin played sparingly last season, and the Lions let Benito Jones walk in free agency.
INSTANT: Lions draft grade: Sione Vaki's two-way appeal still a reach for Brad Holmes
General manager Brad Holmes and his staff earlier Saturday afternoon made two different trades to jump into the fourth round, picking one of the draft's "better kept secrets" in massive Canadian offensive tackle Giovanni Manu and Utah running back Sione Vaki.
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The Lions in Thursday's first round traded up for Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, and in Friday's second round picked Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
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 trade up for LSU DT Mekhi Wingo in Round 6 of NFL draft
