Five likeliest draft picks for Lions at No. 29

With the 29th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select ...

... well, who's on the board? That will go a long way toward shaping the pick. On offense, the only positions that feel truly out of the question for the Lions are quarterback and running back. Nothing should be out of the question on defense.

Assuming the Lions stand pat at No. 29, here are their five likeliest selections, according to BetMichigan.com.

1. Graham Barton, interior offensive lineman, Duke: +500 odds, 16.7 percent chance

Barton, whose odds to Detroit are tied with the field, would make sense for the Lions as a way to maintain their elite offensive line. Their five starters are in place for next season, but guard Kevin Zeitler is on a one-year deal and injuries are inevitable. Center Frank Ragnow has taken a particular beating the past few seasons.

A two-time All-ACC selection, Barton is arguably the safest offensive lineman in the draft. He played left tackle his final three seasons at Duke, but projects to play on the interior in the NFL. He allowed four sacks on 688 pass-blocking snaps the last two seasons, per PFF, and gets his nose dirty in the run game. He also logged a near-perfect Relative Athletic Score at his Pro Day -- ranking third out of 1,532 guards since 1987.

T-2. Kool-Aid McKinstry, cornerback, Alabama; Tyler Nubin, safety, Minnesota: +700 odds, 12.5 percent chance

McKinstry is one of several cornerbacks who's been linked to the Lions early in the draft. They have a potential opening opposite newly-acquired No. 1 Carlton Davis III after the release of Cam Sutton. McKinstry ranked sixth in the country among FBS corners last season, per PFF, and racked up 23 passes defended the last two seasons when he was a two-time All-SEC selection.

There might not be a better ballhawk in the draft than Nubin. He's a long, instinctive safety known for takeaways, like Kerby Joseph. Nubin, who had nine picks over his final two seasons at Minnesota when he was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, is described as a "ball thief" with a "predatory mentality." Aaron Glenn and the Lions could certainly find a role for him in the back of their secondary.

4. Chop Robinson, defensive end, Penn State: +800 odds, 11.1 percent chance

It's hard to find anyone who objects to the idea of the Lions adding Robinson, who could form an explosive pass-rushing duo with Aidan Hutchinson. He's a bit raw and his numbers at Penn State -- 9.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss in two seasons -- don't jump off the page, but there's no doubting his physical traits and athleticism. Robinson, who ranked sixth among FBS edge defenders last season per PFF, has drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons and could develop into one of the most destructive defensive players in the NFL.

T-5. Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver, Texas; Xavier Legette, wide receiver, South Carolina: +1,000 odds, 9.1 percent chance

The Lions could definitely use another outside receiver to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Either one of these two would do. Mitchell had 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in his lone season at Texas (after transferring from Georgia), including two touchdowns in the Longhorns' win over Alabama last year. He's a lengthy 6'2 and highly athletic, one of the smoothest receivers in the draft.

Legette is a grown man who hauled in 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in his fifth college season and first as a featured receiver. He's a physical specimen who can go up and get just about any ball thrown his way. He's not quite as tall or rangy as Mitchell, but stronger at the catch point with similar getaway speed.