Aidan Hutchinson says going to Lions would ease his NFL transition

A former Wolverine and a Michigan native, Aidan Hutchinson acknowledged how being drafted by the Lions would naturally make his NFL transition easier.

After a fantastic final season at Michigan, highlighted by a dominant showing against Ohio State (three sacks), defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is one of the top prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft (if not the top overall prospect for some analysts). Even in a worst-case scenario, he’s not falling out of the top-five overall.

There’s a chance the Jacksonville Jaguars take Hutchinson No. 1 overall, leaving the Lions without a chance to take him at No. 2. And beyond that, the Lions won’t be able to keep the former Wolverine and Plymouth, Michigan native home.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL Combine Friday morning, before the defensive lineman hit the field for workouts over the weekend, Hutchinson spoke about the prospect of the Lions drafting him.

Aidan Hutchinson acknowledges his NFL transition would be a little easier if the Lions draft him

"It would definitely be cool,” Hutchinson said when asked how he’d react to being drafted by the Lions. “I’d be living close to home. It would definitely make the transition a bit easier to the NFL just being so close to home and close to my parents.”"

On Adam Schefter’s podcast back in December, Hutchinson spoke about his potential fit with the Lions.

"on going to the Lions: I think it’d be great, to be honest with you. I’d be the hometown hero times two, you know? Never leaving Michigan, really. I really think Dan Campbell seems like a real good guy to me. … I think they have a lot of heart on that team. You know, just a couple more pieces to the puzzle and I think they can be a really good team.”"

Hutchinson would to fill a major need for the Lions at edge rusher, as well as stay home as the proverbial hometown hero as he launches his NFL career.