The NFL Draft is behind us, and no, we’re not giving out those silly grades. But we are taking a look the new crop of young players joining the team.
The 2022 draft class
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Well, the last time we talked, we were talking mock drafts. Nobody in our round-up predicted Aidan Hutchinson dropping to the Lions at No. 2, but that’s why we don’t take too much stock in draft picks.
Here’s a recap of who the Lions picked and where:
- Round 1, Pick 2: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
- Round 1, Pick 12: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama (after trade with Vikings)
- Round 2, Pick 46 overall: EDGE Josh Paschal, Kentucky
- Round 3, Pick 97 overall: S Kerby Joseph, Illinois
- Round 5, Pick 177 overall: TE James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
- Round 6, Pick 188 overall: LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
- Round 6, Pick 217 overall: EDGE James Houston, Jackson State
- Round 7, Pick 237 overall: CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State
Six of the Lions eight total picks were on the defensive side of the ball, which isn’t shocking, but it tells us something about the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell vision -- and it focuses on building that defense up.
Breaking down the 2022 Lions draft class
Round 1, Pick 2: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
We all know who Aidan Hutchinson is around here, of course. The Wolverines star dropped to the Lions at No. 2, and Brad Holmes took all of about five seconds to submit the pick. He’s a day-one starter on the defensive line.
This is just the latest in a growing list of accomplishments for Hutchinson, who was named a Heisman Trophy finalist and a First-Team All-American during his final season with the Wolverines. He also helped lead them to a Big Ten championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Hutchinson returned to Michigan for his senior season and posted gaudy numbers: 14 sacks, 58 tackles, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. He was the highest-graded player in college football, according to Pro Football Focus.
Hutchinson is the first Michigan player to be selected in the top two since Jake Long, who went No. 1 overall to the Miami Dolphins in 2008.
Round 1, Pick 12: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama (after trade with Vikings)
Surprise, surprise -- the Lions packaged some picks and traded up to snag what could be their next franchise wide receiver.
Jameson Williams made 79 catches this season for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns before tearing his ACL in the national championship game against Georgia. He’ll also be a day-one starter, if he’s healthy.
Williams gives the offense a dynamic target alongside St. Brown. He has the speed to blow by defenders and is one of the top home run receivers in the draft. He’ll join last year’s rookie breakout, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and free-agent signing DJ Chark Jr.
Round 2, Pick 46 overall: EDGE Josh Paschal, Kentucky
The Lions continued to build on the pass rush with this pick, taking Josh Paschal from Kentucky, a dynamic athlete with big upside. The four-year college player set personal highs in 2021 of 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
The versatility is appealing here for Detroit, which could opt to play him at linebacker, depending on the defensive call. He can rush the quarterback, which the Lions desperately need to improve next season. He should be in the mix for playing time early on.
Round 3, Pick 97 overall: S Kerby Joseph, Illinois
More defense with the third-round pick here from the Big Ten. The 6′1″ Safety from Illinois played 41 college games, racking up five interceptions, all in 2021 when he became a starter.
He’s a converted wide receiver, so he has better hands than most cover safeties. He should compete for the starting job next to Tracy Walker, but he’ll at least factor in nicely on special teams.
Round 5, Pick 177 overall: TE James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
A tight end?! In this economy?! Yes, but don’t panic. T.J. Hockenson isn’t going anywhere. VT’s James Mitchell is coming off an ACL injury, but was a three-year starter and team captain.
More than 70% of this man’s catches went for a first down or touchdown in 2021. He should compete for the second tight end spot next to Hock.
Round 6, Pick 188 overall: LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
The Lions have needed good linebackers since Chris Spielman retired, and it showed in this draft class. Rodriguez was a quarterback and linebacker in high school, and was a three-year starter at linebacker for Oklahoma State.
He reached triple-digit tackles in 2019 and 2021, and also notched 16.5 tackles for loss this past season with four forced fumbles and five passes defended. He also forced 10 turnovers, and allowed zero coverage touchdowns last season. Keep an eye on him to compete for playing time.
Round 6, Pick 217 overall: EDGE James Houston, Jackson State
Thank you, Deion Sanders. The Florida to Jackson State transfer totaled career bests in 2021 with 16.5 sacks. Again, getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks is clearly the theme of this draft class.
Round 7, Pick 237 overall: CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State
The Lions last pick was, wait for it, on defense. A corner from Arizona State, Chase Lucas was a five-year starter for the Sun Devils, starting 49 games -- that’s the second most starts in school history.
Lucas allowed zero touchdowns on coverage last season. Lucas notched 34 tackles with six pass breakups in 10 starts last season.
🏈 2022 Lions opponents
We don’t know the dates and times, but here’s who the Lions will face in 2022:
HOME: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington
AWAY: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Carolina, Dallas, New England, New York Giants, New York Jets
🏈 The Point After
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- Ken Haddad, ClickOnDetroit
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