Detroit Lions 7-round 2022 mock draft: Pre-NFL Combine edition

Approaching the 2022 NFL Combine, here’s a new seven-round mock draft for the Detroit Lions.

The Detroit Lions are in good position to build on general manager Brad Holmes’ solid first draft class from 2021, with three of the first 34 picks and five of the top 100 selections in this April’s draft. They also have an extra first round pick in 2023, which could help facilitate a move around the early draft board this year.

But in this pre-NFL Combine mock, we’re standing pat with no trades for the Lions. With needs to fill across the roster, there is practically no wrong way to go. But Holmes has to hit on a lot players in this draft to keep laying the foundation he started building last year.

The scouting combine is in Indianapolis next week, and here’s a new, full mock draft for the Detroit Lions.

Draft order courtesy of Tankathon, and I did this mock on NFL Mock Draft Database’s simulator.

Detroit Lions 7-Round Mock Draft: Pre-NFL Combine edition

First Round

Detroit’s pass rush was severely lacking last season, and with Romeo Okwara working his way back from a torn Achilles and Trey Flowers looking like an offseason cut they’ll need some edge help via the draft.

The marriage of local angle and edge rusher need with Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson was in play for the Lions here, as Jacksonville took Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal No. 1 overall. But Thibodeaux is the upside play, and a slightly better fit if we get down to it.

The Lions need help in the interior defensive line too. A recent mock draft had another Georgia defensive line product, Jordan Davis, here for the taking. But he was gone here, and with a run of wide receivers taking value off the board and the ability to wait on other positions, Wyatt ends up the choice to wrap up the first round.

Wyatt is scheme-versatile, and former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning used him (at 310 pounds mind you) as a quarterback spy sometimes (h/t to The Draft Network).