Tag: boston college

Detroit Lions add interior OL depth, draft Christian Mahogany in sixth round

Holmes: ‘He’s got some dirtbag in him’

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions added depth to the offensive line with their final pick in the NFL draft by taking Christian Mahogany (Boston College) in the sixth round (210 overall).

Mahogany, who is 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds, was first team all-ACC in 2023 when he started 12 games at right guard.

Lions GM Brad Holmes said he was shocked Mahogany was available so late in the draft and would not speculate why he dropped. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein had projected him as a fourth-round pick.

“He fits how we want to play,’’ Holmes said. “… He’s got some dirtbag in him.’’

Mahogany takes that as a compliment.

“It’s something I really pride myself on. … I look forward to bringing it to the National Football League,’’ Mahogany said on a conference call on Saturday.

He’s thrilled to be selected by the Lions who have one of the top offensive lines in the League. He wants to be a sponge and learn from the best.

Mahogany is the first interior lineman that the Lions have ever drafted from Boston College.

Zierlein on Mahogany: “Big and powerful but lacking the leverage and body control needed to play a more consistent brand of football. Mahogany’s early tape was very problematic due to shoddy footwork caused by a poor stance, but he made a midseason self-correction that led to better tape later in the year. He doesn’t have the short-area movements to be a consistent pass protector against NFL sub-packages, but the hand usage and punch are good. Mahogany is a downhill mauler who needs to continue technique work but also needs to play for a team that values the big power players and allows them to do what they do best in the run game. He has a chance to be a backup with upside early in his career.’’

Mahogany was the Lions final pick in the draft which set a record with more than 700,000 fans over three days in Detroit.

Lions 2024 draft picks:

First round — CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Second round — CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr, Missouri

Fourth round — OL Giovanni Manu, British Columbia

Fourth round — RB/ST Sione Vaki, Utah

Sixth round — DT Mekhi Wingo, LSU

Sixth round — G Christian Mahogany, Boston College

Lions draft safety Will Harris after trading up in third round

He says Friday was best day of his life

ALLEN PARK — Will Harris said Friday was the best day of his of his life.

In fact, to make his point, he repeated it several times.

Harris, a safety from Boston College, was drafted in the third round by the Detroit Lions who traded up to grab him. Detroit dealt picks 88 and 204 to the Vikings for the 81st pick.

“I’m ready to rock,’’ Harris said in a conference call late on Friday night.

He will be reunited with Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni who coached him at Boston College. “I can’t wait to get back to work with him. I’m familiar with the things we’ve done in the past it’s really exciting to be able to play under him again,’’ Harris said.

That familiarity may have played into the decision to key in on Harris, but it wasn’t the only factor.

“I remember going to (Boston College) practice, and like I said, I know a bunch of staff members, honestly probably 15 or 20 years. And you go there and Boston College had a pretty good list of prospects this year,’’ GM Bob Quinn said. “… Really, the first guy that a lot of guys mentioned to me was this guy. Like, ‘This guy’s like the heartbeat of our team.’ Not that those other guys were bad, they weren’t, because they have a lot of good football players and a lot of good leaders. But this guy was voted captain on that team, on that defense. So, that spoke volumes to me.”

Harris started at strong safety for the Eagles since late in his freshman year. He started all 12 games as a senior, finishing with 75 tackles and one interception.

CBSSports.com reported on Harris: “Active, run-support specialist safety who’s best when he can flow toward the line of scrimmage after the snap. Hips are a little stiff but his range is above-average, and because he’s decently explosive, he can close on the ball in a hurry. Good No. 3 safety with starting upside.’’

Harris’ father, Will, played receiver at Mississippi State from 1989 to 1992 and was drafted in the seventh round by Buffalo in 1993.

“Ever since I could remember, ever since I was really young, since I was able to even pick up a football, I’ve always been enamored by the game,’’ Harris said. “He grew up playing receiver. So, naturally I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but also at a young age I fell in love with defense. So, switched over to the defensive side of the ball in college and one of the best things I’ve ever done.

“He played an integral part in my football career and in my life. That’s my father. That’s my guy. He’s been there every step of the way. He’s been my coach growing up, my trainer, my mentor, above else, my father. He’s been a great father. It meant the world for me, for him to be here and see our culmination of work finally come down to this day. So, this is the best day of my life,’’ Harris added.

Earlier on Friday night, the Lions drafted linebacker Jahlani Tavai (Hawaii) in the second round, 43rd overall.

The Lions drafted tight end T.J. Hockenson In the first round on Thursday night with the eighth overall pick.

The 2019 NFL draft wraps up starting at noon on Saturday. The Lions have one pick in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, and two picks in the seventh round.