The 2022 NFL draft is complete and the Detroit Lions took their best swing at it. The only question left is–how did they do?
The Detroit Lions 2022 draft class is now complete. In total, it didn’t make everyone happy. But regardless of individual reactions, it will eventually be considered a success or bust. That being said, this is when we rush to judgment all too soon.
Like many fans, I did the usual sequester to the man-cave for the draft. While my decisions of whether to go with nachos or pizza were important to my process, those decisions paled to the choices general manager Brad Holmes had to make and his process.
Some of those choices were quite popular. Others brought out a different reaction.
With the second overall selection, the Lions did make what was considered the obvious or popular choice by going with hometown hero Aidan Hutchinson. Aaron Glenn put it the best when he discussed the importance of choosing the best player available, but how fortunate it is when that player also fits a need.
In this case, it did. It has been questioned whether Hutchinson was the most talented edge rusher in the draft. While that may be up for debate, what isn’t is in doubt is his motor and leadership qualities. Hutchinson has more than enough ability to be really good. What can possibly make him great is his all-out effort and determination.
Hutchinson never takes a play off and tends to show up in big situations. He will be one of the faces of this young Lions team and his work ethic should be infectious. Especially given the type of players Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell are building this team around.
It was just shortly after that the Lions surprised everyone by trading up for the rights to the 12th overall pick. This of course was when they chose Alabama star receiver Jameson Williams.
There were those I know who grew violent and yelled at their televisions because this move didn’t address the defense. When it occurred I thought of Kyle Hamilton and Williams. It turned out to be Williams. And while defense should and mostly was a premium for the Lions in this draft, it’s hard to ignore the talent Williams possesses.
One of the nay-sayer phrases I heard was ‘you can get a receiver anywhere’. The Lions may have found a gem in Amon-Ra St. Brown, but outside of him and the late addition of Josh Reynolds, the receiving corps were running on empty, and adding a legitimate play-maker with super-speed isn’t anything to laugh at.
Williams has to get fully healthy, but once he is he will bring a presence to the Lions’ offense that will cause defenses to have to game plan for. It will create openings for the other receivers and the ground game.
Ultimately, Jared Goff will have to air it out to Williams at least a couple of times a game to keep opponents honest.
Moving from the first round, here are reviews of Day 2 and Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions.
Day 2 of the 2022 draft brought the second and third rounds. This is where successful teams make the selections that turn them into contenders.
Everyone probably had a player in mind who they would have liked the Lions to select, ulimately at pick 46 after the move up to get Willoams.. Safety Jaquan Brisker and linebacker Nakobi Dean were both available. Instead, Holmes decided to add another pass-rusher to the mix as he selected Kentucky defensive lineman Josh Paschal.
Paschal is another high-character, high-motor player. He has the versatility to be used as a situational pass-rusher in the interior of the line as well as lining up out on the edge. Paschal has good play recognition and anchors well. His quickness off the ball could make him very effective at pushing the pocket.
Paschal uses his hands well to shed blockers and play the run, but he needs to create more of an arsenal of moves and use his hands better in the pass-rush.
It was in the third round that the Lions addressed the safety position by selecting Kerby Joseph of Illinois with their compensatory pick at number 97.
Joseph is a former receiver turned safety. Yet in his limited time patrolling the Fighting Illini secondary, he showed enough promise to make his way into the draft. Joseph is a long, rangy safety with solid speed and ball skills that carried over from receiver, but he is still raw.
There were more polished safeties to be had earlier in the draft, but Glen and defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant proved they have the ability to develop players. Last season the secondary was a M.A.S.H unit, yet despite all the injuries the Lions’ young defensive backs played about as well as anyone could expect.
Joseph could become Tracy Walker’s eventual running mate at safety. But in the interim, he should be a very good special teams performer like he was at Illinois.
As Day 3 started, Lions fans had to wait a while before Detroit was on the clock. With no pick in the fourth round, their next selection came near the end of the fifth round.
With many fans clamoring for defensive help, Holmes used pick number 177 to select Virginia Tech tight end James Mitchell. However, depth at tight end is a need and the Lions just got a very interesting prospect.
Mitchell only played in two games last season before being sidelined by a knee injury for the remainder of the year. If he had not been injured he would have been selected higher than the fifth round. He Has the talent to be an all-around tight end that blocks as well as catches the ball and we can expect that Campbell will push him to be just that..
Along with needing to improve as a blocker, Mitchell does need to be better at route-running.
At pick No. 188 in the sixth round, after the Lions traded back with Philadelphia picking up a seventh-round choice in the progress, they snagged Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. He is undersized, but he was very productive.
Rodriguez was very productive at Oklahoma State. With 76 solo tackles, tied for sixth in the nation, he has an opportunity to quickly become a core player on special teams but could become a regular contributor in time with his nose for the ball.
Later in the sixth round at pick No. 217, Holmes selected edge rusher James Houston out of Jackson State. Houston was listed as an edge rusher, but he played off the ball at Florida before transfering to play for Deion Sanders and dominating FCS competition last year (16.5 sacks).
Houston’s versatility will be put to good use in Aaron Glenn’s defense. The running theme of pressuring opposing quarterbacks continued with this selection, but Houston has a chance to contribute beyond that. This could be Detroit’s 2022 draft steal. Only time will tell, but considering Glenn’s ability to develop his players and put them in a position to succeed. Houston could see the field plenty a lot faster than anyone expects.
To wrap up the Lions 2022 draft class Holmes used their final pick, No. 237 acquired from the Eagles, to select cornerback Chase Lucas out of Arizona State. Lucas was a team captain and a three-time All-Pac-12 selection. Lucas brings versatility to the table after playing outside and in the slot for the Sun Devils.
Lucas will be another project for Glenn and defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant. But considering the job they did with a secondary decimated by injuries last season, we shouldn’t bet against Lucas.
The Lions added several pieces to their defense, especially the pass rush, a game-breaking receiver (once he’s fully healthy) and depth at tight end. If pressed to give a final grade, I would have to give the Lions an ‘Incomplete’.
While this draft class certainly appears to have promise, it is way too early to grade it. But if Hutchinson and Williams meet expectations and the most of the rest of the class ends up contributing, then the Lions should be headed in the right direction.