NFL draft updates, Day 2: With 230,000 tonight, Detroit approaches attendance record

Rounds 2-3 of the NFL draft took place Friday night in Detroit. Like Thursday, we saw a mass of football fans swarm downtown Detroit, from the draft theater near Campus Martius to the NFL Fan Experience at Hart Plaza.

>> NFL draft live tracker: All picks from Rounds 2-3

The Lions entered tonight with one pick in Round 2 (No. 61 overall) and no pick in Round 3 after trading it Thursday to move up and get Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.

Here's a recap of our live updates from Day 2 at the NFL draft.

Explosive end to Day 2 of draft

Jenea Johnson, 19, of Auburn Hills, and Summer Findley, 19, of Waterford, enjoyed their time at the second day of the NFL draft, but by 11:15 p.m. they were ready to leave. Yet, when the Wayne State University students heard about the combined firework show and musical tribute to Detroit, they had to stay.

"We had walked out right before the fireworks started, and then they were like, 'Oh, the fireworks are starting!' And we had to rush back," Johnson said.

Although the massive draft stage obscured some of the show from Campus Martius, the crowd could still see most of the fireworks. As fireworks exploded in time with Motown classics, a little Bob Seger and Eminem, Findley and Johnson said they enjoyed the show.

"It was awesome, super glad we stayed," Johnson said.

—Dave Boucher

Looking ahead to Saturday's draft

The 2024 NFL draft continued to shine with more gargantuan crowds Friday night as Detroit moved within about 100,000 of setting the record for total draft attendance.

The final rounds are Saturday, starting at noon on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Here is the projected draft order for Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7, featuring 157 more picks (including the potential "Mr. Irrelevant" at No. 257).

Head to our Lions page for full NFL draft coverage.

Click here for the full Saturday draft preview.

—Amy Huschka

Room to play a little

While stars and officials were talking football Friday night during the NFL draft in Detroit, George Thompson IV was playing the game.

The 8-year-old took advantage of the empty space in front of the draft theater − many visitors having departed − to toss a football with his dad, delighting passersby and even smiling security personnel when the ball flew a little far.

The night is about football, anyways, the boy’s dad, George Thompson III, 41, of Detroit said. He brought the ball to help keep his son’s attention, if the crowd space allowed.

“That’s what we do,” he said of tossing the ball.

The younger Thompson, of Oak Park, said football and basketball are his favorite sports, and he liked getting to practice his dash at the draft experience activities earlier in the day.

—Darcie Moran

Corum headed to Los Angeles

Blake Corum, the former Michigan football star running back, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round with the No. 83 pick of the NFL draft.

Corum left as one of the most celebrated players in program history, the heart and soul of a program that won the national championship in January and prevailed in 40 of the 43 games it played over his last three seasons with the Wolverines.

A two-time All-American, Corum finished his stint in Ann Arbor as the school record-holder in career touchdowns (61) and total points scored (356).

Corum was the first of three consecutive former Michigan players selected in the third round of the draft late Friday. Wide receiver Roman Wilson was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 84, and offensive lineman Zak Zinter was selected by the Cleveland Browns at No. 85.

—Rainer Sabin

Fan: Lions make another good pick

Andre Lo, 46, of Detroit was one member of the swarm headed out following the Lions’ pick Friday night.

“Your feet can only take so much,” he said.

That said, he was happy with the chance to see the pick, and the selection made. The Lions chose Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Friday night in the second round of the draft.

It’s “strictly numbers,” he said of the Lions’ choice.

“Nothing wrong with having more fire power,” he said.

Charles Bouyer, 56, of Detroit was also feeling good on his way to grab some food within the draft footprint with his family. They hoped to stay for the fireworks.

“They got two good picks with their two picks,” he said.

On Thursday, the Lions selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.

The experience in Detroit on Friday was “beautiful,” and Bouyer was glad there weren't too many “shenanigans,” he said.

“It’s something that you’ll probably remember for the rest of your life,” he said.

—Darcie Moran

Tight squeeze on the QLINE

The QLINE has been heavily used by folks heading to and from the draft.

On Friday night at Canfield and Woodward, a northbound streetcar looked like it was as packed as could be.

Duggan announces next Detroit pick

Lions great Barry Sanders joined Mayor Mike Duggan Friday night as the mayor announced the Lions' next draft pick, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. of Missouri.

Before naming the pick, Duggan said "it's a thrill to be here with Barry Sanders, the greatest running back I ever saw." That prompted lots of extra cheering from the hometown crowd.

Duggan then thanked "everybody here who came from across Michigan, and across the United States to help Detroit set new attendance records for the NFL draft. It's a great time to be in Detroit."

That prompted more cheering before Duggan announced Rakestraw as the 61st pick in the draft.

—Eric D. Lawrence

Tigers at draft, too?

Three Detroit Tigers players went to the NFL draft.

Alex Faedo, Casey Mize and Jason Foley joined the record-setting crowd for the first day of the draft in downtown Detroit.

The three Tigers pitchers, along with hitting coach Michael Brdar, were stationed at the draft theater near Campus Martiu. Jordan Field, the Tigers' director of player and alumni relations, took care of the players by setting them up with VIP passes.

"Crazy but amazing to see," Mize said. "It was a cool experience."

"It felt like you were at a festival or concert," Faedo said. "I thought the city of Detroit put on a good event. I thought the fans were awesome. It was funny listening to them boo (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell and the other teams in the division. I booed a few times."

"It was sweet," Foley said. "You couldn't really walk down there. It was tough to get around. We were navigating the streets somehow. A lot of fans recognized myself, Alex and Casey, so it was pretty cool to see some support that way."

—Evan Petzold

Crowd grows as does anticipation for next Lions pick

Two hours in to the second round of the NFL draft, the crowd at Campus Martius felt a bit bigger than an hour earlier.

The reason seemed clear: Detroit was minutes away from having the chance to pick.

The crowd was relatively subdued, but any mention of the Dallas Cowboys or the Ohio State Buckeyes drew immediate boos and jeers. All the while, the crowds slowly pushed toward the stage.

—Dave Boucher

Washington Commanders pick Michigan football's Mike Sainristil

Mike Sainristil, Michigan football's standout defensive back, was selected Friday by the Washington Commanders with the 18th pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft in downtown Detroit.

In the moments after the national championship game, former Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh desperately looked around for Sainristil.

A two-time captain, fifth-year senior and converted wide receiver turned defensive back, Sainristil had been through it all during his time in Ann Arbor. So, naturally, it was he, the leader of the defense, who came away with the game-sealing 81-yard interception return of Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. to seal the national title victory, 34-13, over Washington.

Harbaugh, who'd known him since he was an undergraduate in high school, gushed about his unsung hero.

Click here for the full story.

—Tony Garcia

Cincinnati Bengals pick Michigan football DT Kris Jenkins

Kris Jenkins is off to the NFL after helping anchor Michigan football's top-ranked defense on the way to a national title in 2023.

The former Michigan defensive lineman was selected Friday night by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 49th overall pick. Jenkins is a second-generation NFL defensive lineman, following in the footsteps of his two-time All-Pro father, Kris Jenkins Sr.

Michigan's draft class is expected to challenge the number of prospects selected from one school in a single season thanks to the depth of NFL-ready talent that helped Michigan win the college football championship, including Jenkins as a plug against the run on the defensive line. Mike Sainristil was taken with the next selection, No. 50 overall, by the Washington Commanders.

Click here for the full story.

—Jared Ramsey

Detroit Youth Choir takes stage

The NFL draft’s second day got a burst of joyful energy courtesy of the Detroit Youth Choir.

As thousands amassed Friday at Cadillac Square for another night of draft picks and Motor City pizzazz, the popular ensemble stepped up for a 30-minute performance to set the stage.

The choir has become a Detroit institution five years after winning hearts nationwide as a runner-up on “America’s Got Talent,” a status solidified with a recent six-part Disney+ documentary.

Friday’s performance led off with the DYC’s original song “Glory,” its summer 2020 social-justice release, part of a set that mingled Motown classics, gospel numbers and contemporary hits, including a rousing cover of Imagine Dragons’ “Thunder,” one of the songs that propelled the choir during its AGT run.

All came with the customary synchronized steps, high energy and crisp red, black and blue skirts and suits worn by the Detroit youngsters

The Detroit Youth Choir was the second headlining performance of the 2024 NFL draft, following an opening-night set from Detroit rapper Big Sean.

—Brian McCollum

When in Detroit, eat a coney

Hungry customers lined up Friday outside Lafayette Coney Island, one of Detroit's signature restaurants.

That prompts a question about whether the line was as long at American Coney Island next door.

For the uninitiated, it's a mostly friendly rivalry.

—Eric D. Lawrence

Draft starts letting fans back in

Some NFL fans were once again allowed to enter the draft footprint Friday night.

The draft footprint had reached maximum capacity earlier in the night, for the second night in a row.

Just before 8 p.m., a flood of people could be seen swarming at an entrance. A number of attendees headed out with no promise of re-entry, and then the swarm entered with a few sporadic cheers.

The flow was stopped mere minutes later, but a surge of exits kept would-be attendees waiting in line for their chance to get in. But never fear, the flow started up again, with fans being allowed back in in waves after 8 p.m..

—Darcie Moran

Leaders and best

The 2023 Michigan football national championship team was honored Friday at the start of the second round of the NFL draft 2024 in downtown Detroit.

Team members were brought on the draft stage, along with the championship trophy, at Campus Martius at 7:08 p.m. before the kickoff of Day 2, and were saluted with the Michigan fight song celebrating their 15-0 season, which ended Jan. 8 with a 34-13 demolition of Washington in Houston.

Several former state of Michigan stars were also on stage, including Braylon Edwards (Michigan), Andre Rison (Michigan State) and Brandon Graham (Michigan).

Click here for the full story.

—Marlowe Alter

General admission into the draft zone has been paused. Here's why.

Back in the saddle

Out from the darkness of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office stables in Livonia step Hogan and Ace into the sunlight. The massive size of the horses is intimidating enough, but on this day they are dressed in full riot gear.

It's Wednesday afternoon — the day before the NFL draft begins, and, as part of the preparation, sheriff's deputies strapped onto the horses the large, clear plastic eye guards, long leather and metal face shields and reflective strips around the animals' front ankles and necks. The gear is meant to protect them and make the mounts stand out if they have to push through and disperse a massive, rowdy crowd.

The horses, both Tennessee Walking Horses, face the biggest assignment of their careers: Policing the NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday and again on Saturday. The event is expected to draw a crowd of 300,000 or more over its three-day run, and animals from various law enforcement agencies, which includes police explosive-detection dogs, have to be ready.

Check out the full story here.

—Jamie L. LaReau

Detroit Lions keep adding Alabama football flavor to organization. It's not by accident

Check out this story only for Free Press subscribers here by columnist Jeff Seidel on the phenomenon and what's behind it all.

Keith Lee is on another Detroit food tour

Not a full food tour, though, the TikTok and Instagram food critic known for his viral vehicle-bound restaurant reviews said in a recent TikTok post. Keith Lee is mindful that large events like the NFL draft, Sneaker Con and a Big Sean concert have brought droves of visitors to the city, may overwhelm small food businesses

“This might not be the best representation — they’ve got new people coming in, it’s a lot of traffic,” he explained in the video.

So, instead of being hard on them, Lee is using his influence to help drive business to small eateries, mom-and-pop shops and food establishments that could use a little marketing push. And he’s taking recommendations! Feel free to DM (@keith_lee125), email (Keith@v1sionventures.com), tag him in a video or comment on any of his videos to send your suggestions of places to visit next.

More: An insider’s guide to dining outside of downtown Detroit

While he’s in town, Lee, a Las Vegas transplant but Detroit native, also plans to stop into his childhood-favorite eateries to test whether they’ve maintained their quality all these years later.

“That kind of means, like, putting the Coney Islands next to each other to see which is the best Coney Island in my opinion, or the corned beefs, the corned beef eggrolls, or the Calypsos, or the Better Made chips — anything I can get my hands on,” he said.

If you happen to see Lee with his wife and daughters at the draft, he invites you to say, “hello.”

—Lyndsay C. Green

Two injured in Detroit shooting away from draft site

Two men were injured Friday afternoon in an accidental shooting on Michigan Avenue in Detroit, according to Detroit police.

The shooting occurred outside at 4 p.m. near Vermont Street, about a quarter-mile from The Corner Ballpark, which has hosted youth activities and other events during the NFL draft and was scheduled to be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

The men involved in the shooting were not downtown for the draft, said police Cpl. Dan Donakowski. Both are expected to survive.

Donakowski was not able to immediately provide additional details, including the men’s ages and hometowns.

Day one of the draft was largely peaceful, with only two arrests made during the event, police said, for minor incidents.

—Violet Ikonomova

Busy near stage but not as busy as first night

The tens of thousands of fans packing Campus Martius Friday night enjoyed warmer weather but endured cloudier skies than fans who attended the first night of the NFL Draft.

About one hour before the start, an energetic crowd welcomed the Detroit Youth Choir to the main stage. At no point did the crowd rival the sardine-esque packing of fans who came out Thursday for Big Sean. But by the time the draft resumed, standing fans − the vast majority wearing Lions gear − crammed in to the available space in front of the draft stage.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the crowd tonight is 230,000, within 100,000 of the draft's record attendance.

—Dave Boucher

'Primetime' vibe in Motor City

Being drafted was great, but it's what came after that really had new Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold feeling his emotions.

"Just to hear them chanting my name last night, I’ve always dreamed of moments like that as a kid," Arnold said at his introductory news conference Friday. "I’ve considered myself like a fan favorite. I’ve always wanted the rep that, when they show up to games on Mondays, Thursdays or Sundays, I just get the name that, 'I don’t know what’s going to happen today, but I feel like Terrion is going to do something incredible.'"

One of the last players in the green room Thursday, Arnold was greeted with thunderous cheers from an estimated crowd of 275,000 when the hometown Lions traded up five spots to take him with the 24th pick in the draft.

Check out the full story here.

—Dave Birkett

Max capacity reached

The NFL draft is pausing entry for visitors because maximum crowd capacity has been reached, according to an alert just before 6:45 p.m. Friday.

Visitors who can't get in are advised to visit Grand Circus Park or other Draft in the D viewing parties.

Capacity was reached Thursday as well, prompting officials to close the event to additional attendees. The Thursday alert came shortly before 7 p.m., and the closure led to frustration from some fans who were turned away. Attendance for the first day, however, was a record setter at 275,000 people.

—Eric D. Lawrence

Putting the draft above all else

Kayla Wilson should have been in the Upper Peninsula getting her master's degree. Erica Phillips should have been at her metro Detroit human resources job. Beckett Ciesielski should have been in a Port Huron sixth grade classroom. Kellen Kaniecki should have been in Canada.

But for these die-hard fans of the Detroit Lions and the NFL, it was no choice at all: They had to be in the Motor City on a sunny Friday to experience the 2024 NFL draft.

“Being part of the NFL draft here in Detroit, especially after the season we just had here, the energy in this entire town is just amazing. So, I didn't want to miss out on this,” Wilson said.

Wilson, 27, of West Bend, Wisconsin, was slated to walk to get her degree in manufacturing engineering from Michigan Technological University. But the NFL draft felt more important for the lifelong Lions fan, who attended the festivities in a blue graduation cap with the words ”skipped graduation for the draft."

The wardrobe choice did not go unnoticed: She ran into NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday, who congratulated her when he saw her mortarboard.

She wasn't the only one to make the trek from Up North. Jayden Pascual is from Saginaw, but the 19-year-old freshman at Michigan Tech asked his dad to make the roughly seven-hour trip early to pick him from school so he and his brother Jeamy Pascual could make it to the draft on Friday.

"I kind of finished my last exam (Wednesday night) and just threw all my stuff in bags, packed it up and was like, 'all right, let's go, draft time!" Jayden said.

Read the full story here.

—Dave Boucher, Dana Afana, Nushrat Rahman and Phoebe Wall Howard

Fastest access is at Jefferson and Randolph

Folks trying to get into the draft area are being advised that they can save time getting inside by going to Entry 1 at Jefferson and Randolph. That's said to be the fastest access.

The NFL draft is also saying to avoid Entry 2 (Jefferson and Griswold) because of delays, according to an alert after 6 p.m. Friday.

An additional alert is saying to "make your way towards the draft theater viewing area to secure your spot so you don't miss a pick."

—Eric D. Lawrence

The latest on the weather

Here's the most current update from the National Weather Service:

Tonight

"A chance of showers between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 54. East southeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%."

Saturday

"A chance of showers before 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%."

The forecasters also added that in the metro Detroit regions, "a few embedded rumbles of thunder are possible tonight with inbound showers… and series of weekend low pressure systems offer potential forthunderstorms Saturday…."

—Matthew Dolan

Sweet swag

Free Press photographer Eric Seals on the scene near the draft's main stage as night two approaches:

Detroiters want visitors to take new view of city home

Melody Martin wore her “Super Bowl outfit” to the draft — an all-blue ensemble, featuring a Nike hoodie from her grandson’s closet and cowboy boots.

“I just knew we were going to the Super Bowl and we were almost there,” Martin, 73, of Detroit, said.

She wants to see people from different cities, states and countries coming downtown to see what it looks like now.

Renee Bailey, 64 of Detroit, wants more people to come visit Detroit and develop a different attitude about the city, which she said has had a bad reputation.

The born and raised Detroiter hopes the draft is an “awakening” for people to recognize the city as a "beautiful place."

“I hope everybody can go back home and say Detroit is cool, it’s a nice place to come to,” Bailey said.

—Nushrat Rahman

Too much wind for Dodge Fountain to flow

Visitors to Hart Plaza may notice its centerpiece, the Dodge Fountain, isn't flowing.

The City of Detroit posted on Instagram on Friday afternoon that because of current wind speeds, the fountain is shut down at the request of the NFL.

"Don't worry, the fountain will be back up and running for all to enjoy once the draft is over," according to the post, which includes a fountain and red heart emojis.

The post includes two photos of the fountain flowing in the day and later in the evening with pink and green colors beautifying it.

The fountain began flowing again as part of $9 million in renovations.

Work began in the fall on the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain, where young people have played; weddings and engagements have been held, and now NFL draft memories in Detroit have been made.

—Christina Hall

Out-of-towners warm to Detroit

Significant time, effort and money went into spiffing up downtown Detroit to look its best for the hundreds of thousands of visitors dropping in for the 2024 NFL draft.

And some early reviews are now in.

For many of the event's out-of-state visitors, the city of Detroit — still less than a decade out of bankruptcy — exceeded their expectations for liveliness, hospitality, restaurants and development activity, as well as general friendliness, according to numerous on-the-street interviews Friday.

"It’s much better than the reputation," said Garnet McDonald, 56, who was visiting from outside Toronto.

McDonald was last in Detroit about seven years ago, when downtown Detroit was already on the rebound path. But he said there seems to be even more businesses around now, as well as more stuff to do.

“It seems more vibrant," said McDonald, who attended the draft with his 25-year-old son, Evan, both donning New York Jets jerseys. "The biggest takeaway for me is just the friendliness of the people. Every storefront, every Uber driver, everybody we’ve experienced has been great.”

Miami residents Pedro and Zaida Mesa were on their first-ever visit to Detroit. They said they felt safe in downtown, really enjoyed strolling the RiverWalk and had had great dining experiences at Central Kitchen + Bar, Niki's Pizza and The Hudson Cafe.

"We didn’t think it was going to be so good," Pedro Mesa, 56, said. "Not only for the sports, but the city has been great.”

— JC Reindl

Learn a life-saving skill at draft

Football fans can learn how to perform compression- or hands-only CPR at the NFL draft.

At an American Heart Association tent along the Detroit River hundreds have stopped by for some training, said Jim Myers, CPR manager for the Southwest U.S. who was helping out with the training Friday afternoon.

“They can save a life with just their hands and calling 911,” he said

Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals last year prompted the heart association to partner with the NFL. Hamlin is scheduled to join Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Saturday for a bill signing and press conference in Detroit to support measures to prevent sudden cardiac death among youth athletes in Michigan, according to the heart association.

“We are building our nation of lifesavers,” said Yolana Wakefield-Wilson, the heart association’s community CPR manager for the Midwest.

During the training in the tent, children and adults have been practicing CPR on dummies, pressing their hands down to the tune of “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees. It's a song commonly used in CPR trainings to demonstrate the rhythm of compressions.

—Clara Hendrickson and Paul Egan

Sanders on tap

Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders, now retired, took to X (formerly Twitter) just now to showcase his suds-pouring skills at the draft in downtown Detroit.

The NFL superstar had a rockier road with a local brewing company nearly four years ago. The Free Press reported in December 2020 that "Sanders threatened legal action for his likeness appearing on the can when it was announced in November." Eastern Market Brewing Co. pulled the cans and re-released beer, “Same Old Lager,” without the Sanders' likeness.

—Phoebe Wall Howard and Matthew Dolan

Stores outside Detroit also seeing boost from draft

Katie Clouse, head cashier at Dunham’s Sports in Fort Gratiot Township, said shoppers from across the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Canada and throughout the area were stopping to pick up Detroit Lions T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and ballcaps on Thursday and Friday. A few stopped on their way to the NFL Draft activity in Detroit, which is an hour from the store on I-94.

“We had somebody who tried to get in yesterday and it was sold out,” Clouse said Friday. “She bought a T-shirt and a hat and said she planned to try and go again today. I just told her, ‘Good luck!’”

-Phoebe Wall Howard

Draft featured Wheelchair Football All Star game

Jason Rainey, a Flint native, led a team of Army veterans to a 20-6 victory over Navy and Marine veterans Friday morning.

He did it from his wheelchair.

The first ever USA Wheelchair Football League (USAWFL) All Star game took place at Huntington Place as part of the events during the NFL draft.

“People think they’re coming out here, they hear wheelchair football they think it’s just you know, a bunch of people pushing slow, they can barely move their chairs. It’s not like that at all, we got actual athletes out here,” Rainey said. “They still are competitive, they want to play sports, they just do it from a chair.”

Rainey, who played quarterback for the Army All Star team, now resides in Fort Worth. He became disabled while on tour where he was shot in the foot. Rainey discovered adaptive sports through basketball. When he heard the USAWFL was being created, he couldn’t wait to play the sport he loves.

Rainey is slated announce the second-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys at tonight’s continuation of the NFL Draft.Prior to the game starting, there were a few activities for visitors to check out, including throwing drills that tested accuracy, range and targeting skills. In all of the activities, participants were required to sit and use only their upper body strength.

Seong-Hee Westlake, 35 of Ann Arbor, is the director of technology and innovation for the University of Michigan’s Adaptive and Inclusive Sports Experience. Westlake participated in the accuracy throwing challenge and said it reminded her of Quidditch, the sport from the Harry Potter franchise.

“It’s harder than you think it is,” Westlake noted that sitting made it harder to twist her waist.“It’s a level playing field once you’re sitting down,” she said. “If you’re a chair user, you know how to use your core strength.”

As the game began, players yelled for the ball against the clanking of chairs crashing into one another – even.“Go Army!” yelled Victoria Smith, 66 of Detroit, who wore an army green sweatshirt. Friday was the first time she saw the sport in person.

“I love it,” Smith said.

-Eric Guzman

Lions great Billy Sims signs autographs on Woodward

Former Lions running back and 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims stood at the corner of Woodward Avenue and State Street signing autographs for fans Friday. Under a red tent labeled “Billy Sims Barbecue,” he signed small collector Oklahoma Sooners helmets.

Chicago Bears fan Patrick Kovacs, 53 of Ohio, stumbled upon the signing stand and was excited to snag an autograph.

“I grew up watching him on TV. One of my favorite players back in the day. I love the old time running backs,” he said of Sims. He plans to add the signed helmet to his collection of football memorabilia.

As a lifelong football fan, Kovacs said he’s loved the draft. It’s like Christmas for devotees of the sport.

-Clara Hendrickson

Dad takes son out of school to enjoy NFL draft Experience

Bryan Ciesielski, 47, of Port Huron, who works in quality control for manufacturing, took his son Beckett out of his 6th grade classes so they could make a day together at the NFL draft in Detroit. They’re staying with friends in a condo next to Little Caesars Arena on Woodward Avenue, just a 10-minute walk to the action downtown.

Beckett, 11, wore a Lions Aidan Hutchinson jersey and found the last Jared Goff jersey on a quick shopping spree in Dunham’s in Port Huron. “This is my first time,” Beckett said. “It’s just, like, an experience!”

His father, pulling a LaPorta jersey off the rack, said, “I think, years from now, he’s going to look back on this and say, ‘Wow, I went to the draft in Detroit. How cool is that?’ We never pull him out of school for anything, so I think that tells you something right there, how big of a deal this is.”

Ciesielski said he planned to go down on the first day of the draft until the NFL app alerted him that access had been capped because the crowd was reaching capacity. “It’s pretty good communication,” he said, showing the messages on his mobile phone.

“We’ve been to a Lions game, but it was years ago, before the Lions were good,” he said. “This is gonna be a new experience for us … We’re going to be cheering on the team and looking for who else the Lions can pick up in the draft. Go Lions! Let’s go!”

-Phoebe Wall Howard

You have a chance to wear Barry Sanders' varsity jacket

The blue varsity jacket Barry Sanders wore on the draft stage Thursday is for sale, but it will take a little bit of luck if you want one of your own.

Only 144 jackets were made, according to a news release, which features Sanders’ nickname 'Big Bad Barry' on the right sleeve, Sanders' No. 20 on the front and the Detroit Lions' helmet logo on either side. The back replicates Sanders' Detroit Lions football jersey.

The jacket was designed in collaboration with Sanders by the apparel brand HOMAGE and the clothing manufacturer Starter.

The jackets costs $425 and consumers have to enter the raffle for a chance to purchase a jacket online. The raffle closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The people who are selected to purchase a jacket will be chosen later on Tuesday, at which time their credit cards will be charged and the jackets will be shipped.

-Adrienne Roberts

Draft marks a homecoming for some Lions fans

Friends Art Walker, 55, and Joel Ewing, 48, both born and raised in Detroit, showed up to the NFL draft Friday to represent their hometown. Walker, who moved to Georgia a year ago to soak in warmer temperatures, said the draft being in his hometown means a lot to him.

“It means a lot to bring the city up. Not that we've been down. It just gets everybody to get a better perspective of Detroit, because a lot of people got a different perception about Detroit. There’s a lot of things here to do. It’s a great place,” Walker said.

Ewing said he's a decades-long fan who has followed Lions legend Billy Sims, who was signing autographs downtown Friday.

“They could have chosen any city to rep this draft, but Detroit has built up wonderfully. It’s a great place to come, great place to visit. Don’t listen to the media, those days are long gone. Welcome to Detroit,” Ewing said.

-Dana Afana

Appearance by Lions stars wows crowd

Just after 2 p.m. Friday, a pair of elite Detroit Lions garnered chants and cheers at the NFL Draft Experience in Hart Plaza.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, a first-round pick last year, and star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown made their way through the crowd on golf carts. Fans waved and cheered, while several chased after the carts.

St. Brown, who recently signed a massive contract extension, was swarmed when he briefly stopped to let a few fans take selfies.

Even though it was a brief encounter, the Lions faithful roared for both guys.

-Dave Boucher

Fans wait in line for giant Lions helmet

More than 50 eager fans lined up to take a picture with an oversized Lions helmet — a much longer wait than any of the other team helmets.

But Jeffry Savage, 67 of Southfield, wasn’t in Honolulu blue. Instead, he was decked out in a red and white New York Giants jersey.

“I’ve been a Giants fan since I was a teenager,” said Savage, who is originally from New York.

He said he was in line for the Detroit helmet because his wife is a Lions fan.

“The whole experience has been wonderful,” he said. “The city of Detroit is beautiful and whoever is not here, they’ve missed something spectacular.”

Allan Van Ess, who was also in line to take a picture with the helmet, drove to Detroit from Grand Rapids with his partner.

Van Ess, who grew up a Lions fan because of his dad, was dressed as a Lion — mane, fur, paws and all.

“We can’t wait for the season to start,” he said.

-Nushrat Rahman

Tips for avoiding long food lines

For a lower key NFL draft experience, downtown Detroit parks offer football fans a variety of food options, vendor booths and games. Not to mention some great DJs blasting some very danceable funk.

Small business vendors at the parks sold a variety of merchandise such as jewelry and candles.

While food lines at Hart Plaza grew long Thursday night, causing long waits for meals, the food trucks and stands selling lemonade, Bundt cakes, lobster rolls and more.

There was no line for some booze at the bar at Grand Circus Park. And a Meijer-sponsored giant cornhole and football throwing games had no wait.

• Other “Draft Day in the D” locations include:

• Capitol Park

• Beacon Park

• Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park

• Woodward Avenue between State and Witherell streets

-Clara Hendrickson

Scooters in high demand in downtown Detroit

Just as the NFL draft crowd broke an attendance record Thursday, Lime said Friday the NFL's big event is also shattering ridership records for its shared e-scooters.

The company said it scaled up its fleet and deployed extra staff ahead of the draft and set up a tent downtown to help fans, according to a release.

Lime said riders set many records this week including:

• Shattering the single day ridership record by an increase of 45% with 6,033 rides Thursday.

• Setting a single day record for gross bookings Thursday.

• Showing an Increase in scooter demand of 358% compared to last week.

• A ridership increased 665% compared to Wednesday.

The company said it recently was selected by the city to be a long-term transportation partner. Since its launch in Detroit in 2018, the company has had 335,000 riders who have taken 1.2 million rides, per the release.

The Free Press is checking with other e-scooter companies that operate downtown.

-Christina Hall.

QR codes not always scanned, but they are required

Many fans have noticed the QR codes they received for the NFL Draft experience didn't get scanned when they entered the venue Thursday. But that doesn't mean the codes are not needed, officials say.

“To expedite entry into the venue,” according to the NFL, “we did not scan OnePass QR code, but OnePass is still required to access all of the games and attractions inside Draft Experience presented by Rocket Mortgage.“

Those who want to attend the NFL Draft Experience register for free entry by downloading the NFL OnePass app or going to NFL.com/DraftAccess. Adults can register up to five children to get into the event.You'd use the same QR code during all three days. But it's important to understand that the event is "first come first serve and subject to capacity limits," according to the NFL.

-Susan Tompor

Skipping graduation for NFL draft

Kayla Wilson should be walking across the stage to get her master's degree today. Instead, she’s at the NFL draft in Detroit.

The lifelong Lions fan — in a blue graduation cap with the words ”skipped graduation for the draft” — said the experience was something she and her mom, as season ticket holders, were looking forward to since the draft was announced.

Wilson, 27, of West Bend, Wisconsin, was slated to be presented with her degree in manufacturing engineering from Michigan Technological University, but the NFL draft felt more important.

More: I spent the day at the 2024 NFL draft: What I discovered

“I want to be with family and nothing's better than the one pride,” she said.

Wilson grew up in Center Line, Michigan and moved to Wisconsin in 2019. Still, the Lions pride runs deep.

“Being part of the NFL draft here in Detroit, especially after the season we just had here, the energy in this entire town is just amazing. So, I didn't want to miss out on this,” Wilson said.

Her mom has been coming downtown to watch the countdown of the NFL draft clock. The highlight of her draft experience, Wilson said, was running into NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday, when he saw her graduation cap and congratulated her.

In her Barry Sanders jersey and graduation cap, Wilson was all smiles on day two of the NFL draft, as the sun beamed, and fans walked around Spirit Plaza.

“I've been through the bad years and the good years and it's just showing that tenacity that we've had … then last year, watching the team grow, the energy just kept building and building and building and it was just amazing to watch,” Wilson said.

-Nushrat Rahman

Lions fans celebrate first draft pick

At the start of another sunny spring day in Detroit for the NFL draft, longtime Lions fans celebrated their team’s Thursday night pick and remarked on how unusual it feels to enter a season with their team transformed.

Taniya Luckett, 26, of Detroit, said she’s rooted for the Lions her entire life.

“Because I was born here,” she said at Hart Plaza, "it’s second nature.”

She said she was excited to see the Lions pick Terrion Arnold in the first round last night. The Lions needed a cornerback, she said.

“Our defense was like our biggest liability last season,” she said. “It feels weird because you’re so used to them being terrible."

Denise McQueen, of Southfield, also celebrated the Lions’ first pick. A season ticket holder of about 40 years, she is still in awe of what happened last season.

“Talk about incredible. It was incredible. It was great,” she said. “Last year was the best season ever.”

She said she’s trying to moderate her expectations moving forward. At least that’s what she’s telling others.

“I’m not getting my hopes up. I’m not getting too excited. I’m saying that, but I am,” she said.

-Clara Hendrickson

Fans are out in force again Friday morning

After Thursday night's record attendance, NFL fans appeared to be turning out in strong numbers again Friday, heading to the NFL Draft Experience before actual draft selections resume Friday evening.

Shortly before noon, there were already more patrons waiting to get on the QLINE at the Ferry Street platform than the streetcar could accommodate.

-Anjanette Delgado

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NFL draft in Detroit live updates, Day 2