The Detroit Lions will surely be adding a wide receiver or two in the 2022 draft, and an Ohio State product has become a popular mock draft selection for them.
The Detroit Lions have plenty of needs looking to the 2022 NFL Draft, with two first-round picks to get them off to a good start. That second first rounder, via the Los Angeles Rams from the Matthew Stafford trade, looks better than it did a month ago.
The first overall pick will be an interesting decision for the Lions, assuming they have it, coming down to two edge rushers for most–Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson. There’s not a quarterback prospect worthy of the No. 1 pick, so addressing that need is more likely to come with the second first-round pick (if at all in the first round).
Lions 2022 draft: Ohio State wide receiver becoming popular mock pick
The Ohio State Buckeyes have two first-round caliber wide receiver prospects–Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Both could go off the board in the top half of the round. Depending on how things fall, the Lions will have wide receiver on their radar with their second Day 1 pick to some degree.
In their most recent mock drafts, Ryan Wilson and Josh Edwards of CBS Sports both have the Lions taking Olave with their second first-round pick (pick No. 23 and 24 respectively).
Here’s what Wilson wrote:
"By the time we get to the actual draft, we’ll have much more clarity on what the Lions’ QB plans might look like. For now, there’s not a quarterback worth taking first overall, and there likely won’t be one on the board at this point, either. So instead, Detroit adds top-flight wideout Olave, who is having a spectacular season for the Buckeyes."
And Edwards:
"Detroit simply needs to upgrade the talent at wide receiver and Olave is the best option to pair with Amon-Ra St. Brown. He is a polished route runner with sure hands."
Heading into this whatever bowl Ohio State plays in, Olave has 65 receptions for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns this season (in 11 games). His eight-game scoring streak ended against Michigan in the regular season finale, but he did finish with seven catches for 88 yards in that game.
In terms of an NFL comp for Olave, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky offered one that’s easy to like.
Chris Olave=Keenan Allen
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 20, 2021
At this point it feels unlikely Olave falls right to the Lions in the final 10 picks of the first round. But if he does, with the idea a quarterback they like and fits the pick isn’t available, they should not be on the clock long. It would be a no-brainer to take the soon-to-be former Buckeye.