NFL draft TV analyst couldn't believe Detroit Lions pick Mekhi Wingo was available in Round 6
The Detroit Lions are now done with the 2024 NFL draft with two sixth-round picks that were popular with analysts.
The Lions picked up LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo with the 189th pick in the sixth round after trading up 16 spots, then finished by grabbing Boston College guard Christian Mahogany with the 210th pick in the sixth round. They were the third and fourth selections of Day 3 by Detroit, who pulled off two trades to go up into the fourth round to grab Canadian offensive tackle Giovanni Manu and Utah running back/safety Sione Vaki. Those four join first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold and second-round cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
The six-person class came together through a flurry of trades up to secure Arnold, Manu and Vaki and finished with general manager Brad Holmes going up again to grab Wingo and staying put at 210 to select Mahogany at their final two draft slots.
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Wingo was hailed as a "fantastic value" for the Lions on the ESPN broadcast minutes after the pick was announced. ESPN analyst Matt Miller said he ranked Wingo as his 94th player in the class and was shocked by his drop to 189.
"Find me a defensive tackle that is more fun to watch in this year's draft class than Mekhi Wingo," Miller said. "He's a little bit undersized. I think you're going to have to move him around to find your ideal landing spot, ideal alignments. But he was my 94 overall player in this year's draft. I think this is fantastic value for the Detroit Lions."
The other ESPN analysts shared the shock that Wingo was still on the board that late.
"I gotta tell you when I am shocked that Mekhi Wingo lasted to the 189th pick," ESPN analyst Field Yates said. "I imagine that's the size limitations but this guy has some versatility."
Yates mentioned Wingo's ability to flip playing as a three-technique defensive tackle shooting up gaps in the middle and flipping out wide to use his power off the edge to deal with injuries for LSU's front seven during 2023. He missed time himself with a groin injury during the season, but still returned to play in the LSU bowl game, which the analysts said was a testament to his character.
"(He was) injured in season, came back to play in the bowl game," Miller said. "What good college player plays in their bowl game anymore? Well, Mekhi Wingo did."
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Mel Kiper described Mahogany as a good run blocker who can use his athleticism and consistent anchor point to stay grounded and move defensive lineman off their spot. He also praised Mahogany's ability to return from a torn ACL suffered in 2022 to produce play in all 12 games in 2023.
"Christian Mahogany coming back from that torn ACL in 2022, Rece, did a heckuva job on that BC offensive line," Kiper said. "The Eagles averaged 109 rushing yards per game, second-best in the league. As a run blocker, (he's) got powerful hands. He can jolt defenders when making contact."
Kiper said that Mahogany can grow at sustaining blocks and not losing because of quickness from defensive linemen, but said he has the fundamentals and athleticism to continue to grow as a blocker and continue to regain form as he distances himself from the ACL injury.
"He was a solid performer early on, showed a lot of promise," Kiper said. "The injury set him back a little bit but I think he's going to revert back to his form. He's a nice pick there in the sixth round by the Detroit Lions."
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NFL draft analysts shocked Detroit Lions got Mekhi Wingo in Round 6
