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Analyzing the financial impact of the Detroit Lions 2022 draft class

By Brad Berreman

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 04: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a play during the Big Ten Football Championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 04: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a play during the Big Ten Football Championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Credit: Detroit Free Press-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Detroit Free Press-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1-DE Aidan Hutchinson
Round 2-DE Josh Paschal
Round 7-OLB James Houston

The Lions had one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL last year, and that was with a breakthrough season from Charles Harris (7.5 sacks). Harris was brought back on a two-year, $13 million deal, and Romeo Okwara (10 sacks in 2020) will hopefully be back to full strength from a torn Achilles he suffered early last season.

The Lions legitimately added two of the most athletic edge rushers in the 2022 draft class in Hutchinson and Paschal. Then they added a third edge guy on Day 3 in Houston, who dominated the FCS level at Jackson State last year (70 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss).

In terms of 2022 cap dollars, the Lions drafted three edge rushers to spark a lagging pass rush for what will amount to about $8.5 million. A fifth-year option on Hutchinson could be moot, since he’d be extended beyond it before it becomes a decision if he produces as he’s expected to. But having that fifth year still gives the Lions a year of relative cost containment, before paying Hutchinson in new money like one of the top edge rushers in the league.

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