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In the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper forecasted that the Detroit Lions would select Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with the 29th overall choice.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions are selecting their picks later than ever before. Nonetheless, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN continues to predict that the Lions will select Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa in the first round as a starter.
In his most recent mock draft, which was released on February 28, Kiper projected that the Lions would select Tampa with the 29th overall pick.
This person may be functioning a little under the radar. Tampa may make an early impression on a club, according to Kiper. He saw every route during the approximately 900 coverage snaps he played for the Cyclones. In 2021, he was the closest defender in coverage and gave up four touchdown passes; the following two seasons, he only gave up three.
He substantially improved in 2023. Tampa could be more effective in the NFL, despite the fact that he only had three interceptions in college.
For the 2023 campaign, Tampa was named to the AP and coaches All-Big 12 first team. He was also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, which goes to the top defensive player in college football, and the Thorpe Award, which goes to the greatest defensive back in college football each year.
At Iowa State, Tampa recorded 107 total tackles, 19 pass defenses, and 3 interceptions in 37 collegiate games. He totaled 44 tackles in 2023, with 3 for loss, 7 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions.
Why the Lions Might Target T.J. Tampa of Iowa State.NFL commentators like Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report have urged the Lions be brave and move up in the first round to draft one of the greatest cornerbacks in the 2024 class
However, some analysts believe the Lions will have gotten one of the top players for the position if they select Tampa at No. 29 overall.
According to Cory Giddings of Bleacher Report, “T.J. Tampa is one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2024 draft class.” “The long-limbed athlete was selected by the conference’s coaches for the second team All-Big 12 in 2022. He possesses good length and size for the cornerback position.”
Strangely, Giddings equated Tampa to Ifeatu Melifonwu, the safety for the Lions today, who grew into a Detroit starter in the latter part of 2023.
Giddings and Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network believe Tampa might be selected early in the second or late in the first round.
Tampa ranks as a fringe top-five CB contender and one of the top-50 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to Cummings’ study. “With his excellent physical qualities and high-end physicality, he might perhaps field late Round 1 consideration, but he’s deserving of early Day 2 cash.”
The Lions have been linked to a number of cornerback prospects by NFL pundits, especially those who are projected to be available in free agency. It’s understandable why.
In terms of pass defense rankings for the 2023 season, were rated 27th. Additionally, they ranked 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt and 27th in passing touchdowns allowed.
It is thought that Detroit would also lose a substantial amount of depth in its secondary, notably at cornerback. In March, seasoned cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley, Jerry Jacobs, and Kindle Vildor will all be free agents.
Thus, the Lions have formed relationships with two of the greatest cornerbacks who may be available in free agency: Kendall Fuller and L’Jarius Sneed. Another team that is usually brought up in trade speculations involving seasoned cornerbacks is Detroit.
That being said, it wouldn’t be astonishing if the Lions target a defensive back early in the 2024 NFL draft in addition to cornerback in March, considering the position’s evident need and lack of depth moving into free
Sports journalist Kindle Vildor writes about the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers for Heavy.com. Holcomb, who is originally from Pittsburgh, has covered professional and collegiate sports for publications like Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker.Additional information on Dave Holcomb.
