2024 NFL draft: Detroit Lions trade up to select massive Canadian OT in Round 4

ALLEN PARK — Lions general manager Brad Holmes has done it again, trading up the board to select massive offensive tackle Giovanni Manu in the fourth round of the NFL draft. Detroit sent a 2025 third-round to the New York Jets to complete the deal.

The Lions also traded up for Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold in Round 1, and considered a trade up for Ennis Rakestraw as well before sitting tight for him at No. 61.

Now Holmes has made another aggressive move to add a mountain to the long-term pipeline at offensive tackle. At 6-foot-8 and 352 pounds, Manu was one of the biggest human beings in the draft. He’s also a relative unknown, previously playing at the University of British Columbia. He is the first player ever to be drafted out of that school.

Manu was born in Tonga before moving to Canada at age 11. He originally played basketball before growing five inches and 80 pounds between his freshman and sophomore years in high school, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.

He started four seasons at left tackle for the University of British Columbia. He lacks polish, according to Brugler, but the potential in a man with that kind of size and athleticism is obvious. Detroit also has the luxury of bringing Manu along slowly, with All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell under contract through 2028, preliminary contract negotiations under way to keep left tackle Taylor Decker in town beyond 2024, plus swing tackle Dan Skipper back to handle the No. 3 spot.

The Lions are deep and experienced up front, and are led by one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the league in Hank Fraley, providing an outstanding opportunity for Manu to harness his physical gifts.

The trade is comparable to the Day 3 move for Western Kentucky defensive tackle Brodric Martin last year, giving away late-round capital to go get a relative unknown with massive upside if the lottery ticket cashes.