The Detroit Lions own the No. 61 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and it's a selection the team has had a total of five times dating back to World War II.
The first two picks the Lions made in that spot were end George Poschner out of Georgia and tackle George Parozzo out of William and Mary in 1943 and 1954, respectively. Neither appeared in a game for Detroit and Poschner ended up serving in World War II.
Detroit was then on the clock in that spot once again in 1964, when the team took Alabama defensive back Benny Nelson, who was also drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 12th round of the 1964 AFL draft. Nelson never ended up playing a snap for the Lions and spent one season in Houston.
The Lions have since made a pair of selections at No. 61 in the modern era, Texas taking defensive lineman Shaun Rogers in 2001 and Boise State defensive back Gerald Alexander in 2007, who Detroit traded up for.
Rogers went on to have a long, productive career, establishing himself as one of the better players at his position. After finishing third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, he notched two of his three career Pro Bowl appearances, along with his lone second-team All-Pro, during seven seasons with the Lions.
The other Pro Bowl nod came in his first season with the Cleveland Browns, where he spent three years after being dealt there by the Lions. He then moved on to play for the New Orleans Saints in 2011 and finished off his career with the New York Giants in 2013.
Alexander didn't come close to that kind of success but did manage to hang around in the league for five seasons, appearing in 44 games (30 starts) in that span.
His most productive season actually came in his rookie campaign, when he started all 16 games and showed promise. Alexander tallied career-highs in tackles (81), sacks (two), interceptions (two) and passes defensed (six).
Alexander was also traded by the Lions, with Detroit sending him to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for wide receiver Dennis Northcutt in 2009. Northcutt played one season for the Lions, totaling 35 receptions for 357 receiving yards and one score before being released in 2010.
Meanwhile, Alexander never replicated the success of his rookie season and was eventually cut loose by the Jags in 2010. He latched on with the Carolina Panthers later that year and spent time with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets in 2011 to close out his career.
Long story short: The Lions will be hoping to land another player the caliber of Rogers when they're on the clock in the second round.
