The Detroit Lions took the field for their first game of the preseason on Thursday night in what ended up being a 14-3 loss to the New York Giants.
In the contest, the Lions saw five of their six 2024 NFL Draft picks make their debuts in cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, running back Sione Vaki, offensive tackle Giovanni Manu and defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo.
The only player who did not see the field was sixth-rounder and guard, Christian Mahogany, who has been absent with an unspecified illness since the start of training camp.
Here's how we graded the performances of the rookies who did play in preseason Week 1.
Note: Coverage, offensive line stats and grades are courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Snap counts are from NFLGSIS.com.
Detroit Lions draft pick grades
CB Terrion Arnold: A+
Arnold only played 13 snaps and was not targeted, but that's because he was able to cover his assignments well in man and press coverage, including Giants No. 6 overall pick, Malik Nabers.
His Pro Football Focus coverage grade was a 67.0, the third-best among Detroit's corners, but it probably should've been higher than that.
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: A+
Rakestraw played the third-most snaps on defense with 37 and was excellent. He had an early third-down stop, made a tackle on special teams, and his coverage on Isaiah Hodgins aided in safety Brandon Joseph's interception.
In coverage, the rookie posted the second-highest grade on the team (81.7) and surrendered one reception on two targets for zero yards.
RB Sione Vaki: A+
Vaki saw the field for 13 snaps on offense and special teams, respectively, but we did not see him in the return game, nor was he targeted in the passing game. Vaki shined as a rusher, with his 29 yards being the most among running backs.
In fact, he had more yards on his 15-yard scamper than any other back finished with in total, and he added a nine-yard carry that was the second-longest gain of the night at the position.
Vaki even flashed in his two pass-blocking snaps, earning a grade of 73.7 with zero pressures allowed.
OT Giovanni Manu: D
Manu got a lot of work with 35 snaps and surrendered at least one sack, although PFF only credited him with giving up one pressure. He posted grades of 50.9 and 47.4 in run-blocking and pass protection, respectively. We knew Manu was going to be a project, and it showed on Thursday night.
DL Mekhi Wingo: C
Wingo played 31 snaps and was the first defensive player named by head coach Dan Campbell when asked about standouts from preseason Week 1.
“I thought Wingo did some things,” head coach Dan Campbell said, per Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit. “I thought you could feel him a little bit in there.”
Wingo didn't record any tackles but had one pressure. PFF was not kind to him, as the outlet gave the rookie grades of 46.3 and 27.7 in the pass-rush and run defense, respectively.
G Christian Mahogany: Incomplete
As previously mentioned, Mahogany did not suit up in preseason Week 1.
