The Lowdown on DT Mekhi Wingo: What the Detroit Lions See in their 6th-Round Gem

Let’s cut to the chase: the Detroit Lions made us wait until Day 3 of the draft like a kid staring at a cookie jar on a top shelf before they finally addressed their growling defensive line. They traded up, and bingo, they nabbed DT Mekhi Wingo from LSU. A decision that’s got ‘steal’ scribbled all over it in permanent marker.

Mekhi’s Mane: Donning LSU’s Coveted #18

Talk about carrying a legacy on your shoulders—Mekhi Wingo was handed LSU’s venerated #18 jersey. That piece of cloth isn’t just stitched with thread; it’s woven with the spirits of leadership and perseverance. “It’s worn by a player who represents the traits and spirit associated with a successful program and that’s Mekhi,” says coach Brian Kelly, sealing Wingo’s fate as a leader the moment he was robed.

The most applaud-worthy aspect? Wingo was a Missouri guy before he became LSU’s pride in 2022. But like a duck in the bayou, he adapted swiftly and soon became the flock’s leading quacker.

The Heroic Gesture that Sealed the Deal

Let’s set the scene: Wingo’s final year at LSU was more like an action-packed drama series with twists and turns. He battled a groan-inducing groin injury and could’ve called it quits to prep for the pros. But no, he’s not the kind to watch from the sidelines with a tub of popcorn. Crunching his rehab time, he made it back for the ReliaQuest Bowl, delivering two sacks as if they were bowls of gumbo to a hangry defensive line—helping LSU triumph over Wisconsin.

“I just rehabbed my butt off,” Wingo recounted to the eager Detroit Lions media with the gusto of a man on a mission, showcasing that his jersey’s digits also represent his grit level.

Deemed the Draft’s Burglar for Blatant Value Theft

Where did Mekhi Wingo rank on big boards? Well, let’s say some thought he’d go as high as a Mardi Gras thrown bead—like Dane Brugler pegging him at 95th overall, to be specific. But wait, the Detroit Lions scooped him up at 189. The Lions’ draft class was already called ‘most valuable’ akin to a coupon book filled with free po’boys—for reasons like this.

Field Yates from ESPN calls it one of “the best value picks,” while eyeballing Wingo’s hasty first step and tricky hands. Although, he admits Wingo’s size might have had some teams treating him like last season’s King Cake, hence his plunge in the draft.

An NFL Combine Performance That Said ‘Catch Me if You Can’

At the NFL Combine, Wingo’s size had him playing David in a Goliath game. But the kid’s ‘explosive’, with a 40-yard dash that left others in dust and an agility that screamed ‘NOLA street performer moves’. His 1.64 10-yard split? That was like hitting the front of the parade on Mardi Gras Day.

Big Shoes to Fill, But Don’t Call Him Mini Donald

So, everyone’s wondering: Is this guy the next Aaron Donald, just because he’s a compact ball of dynamite? On the “Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams,” Wingo sidestepped the comparison faster than an avoidance of Bourbon Street puddles. He’d rather watch the likes of Calijah Kancey and Grady Jarrett—fellas closer to his realm in the DT kingdom. Yes, their stat sheets might align somewhat, but let’s not put a voodoo spell on the kid just yet.

Wingo’s Wide Range: The Lions’ New Edge-y Bet

Brad Holmes, the Detroit Lions GM with eyes sharper than a French Quarter windowpane after Mardi, noted Wingo’s dodge and weave on tape as a potential edge rusher. Amidst a conversation bubbling with what-ifs, Holmes saw magic waiting to happen and figured, “Why not?”

In terms of his college snap distribution, Wingo’s edge presence was sporadic, like your chance of catching a decently thrown doubloon. But if his prior snap-pirouettes are any indication, he’s ready to dance wherever the Detroit Lions band plays.

As we lace up our cleats and conclude this draft profile, one thing’s as clear as a French Quarter dawn: Mekhi Wingo may become the next fan favorite. He’s got the jersey tale, the unwavering grit, the thief-like draft value, and the speed of a Carnival parade—all ready to sashay into Ford Field.

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