Rookie Profile: Mekhi Wingo, IOL, Detroit Lions
Welcome to the Rookie Profile: Mekhi Wingo, a defensive lineman from LSU. He is from St. Louis, MO, and was a 3-star recruit from DeSmet High School.
Wingo started his collegiate career at Missouri in 2021 and appeared in 12 games as a freshman. His career started strong racking up 14 solo tackles, 13 assists, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 1 touchdown.
He transferred to LSU for the 2022 season, appearing in 14 games. His production exploded for 25 solo tackles, 21 assists, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumbles recovered.
His collegiate career closed out in 2023 as a junior for LSU where he played in 8 games. He totaled 11 solo tackles, 14 assists, 5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 6 Pick 13
- The Lions had a gift from the heavens fall into their lap in the sixth round. Some experts had him ranked inside the top 100 prospects, for him to slip to almost pick 200 is a minor miracle.
- This isn’t a great sign for his fantasy value as the Lions have almost nothing invested in him and for 31 other teams to pass multiple times is worrisome. In the end, Wingo is a massive upside pick and could prove to be the steal of the 2024 NFL Draft. Only time will tell if that will translate to a consistent role and fantasy value.
Landing Spot- Detroit Lions
- This could be a dream landing spot for a defensive lineman. The Detroit Lions have been looking to bulk up on the defensive line all offseason and Wingo could be a great player to pair with superstar Aidan Hutchinson.
- Wingo will have to earn his way into a starting role, but he certainly has the talent to do so if he can crack what is now a formidable-looking defense.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Developmental Edge Rusher
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Wingo may be slightly undersized, yet his gameplay is engaging. He’s compact and robust, capable of swiftly separating and maneuvering around lateral blocks. Occasionally, he might be outmatched by size or strength, but he’s seldom overpowered. His initial quickness and mental acuity allow him to outmaneuver blockers, removing their advantage points, and he’s exceptionally agile when tackling in tight spaces.
Wingo possesses a hop-and-chop rush technique usually observed in defensive ends, and his athleticism may overwhelm some guards in pass-rushing scenarios. Wingo has the potential to be an early substitute as an even-front 3-technique, with the capability to play all three downs and possibly rise to a starting position.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
