In a “win-now” mock draft over at NFL.com, the Detroit Lions land a future Hall of Fame quarterback.
The slow time of late-June and early July on the NFL calendar demands creativity as a writer. On that front, Chad Reuter of NFL.com did a “win-now” seven-round mock draft comprised of current players, with the 2022 actual first-round draft order maintained.
The Detroit Lions of course had the second overall pick, and in this scenario the Los Angeles Rams kept the pick that was originally theirs at No. 32 before the Matthew Stafford trade.
Speaking of Stafford, over 12 seasons as the Lions’ quarterback he built the foundation for what may end up as a Hall of Fame resume. So in some sense a Hall of Fame caliber signal caller was squandered for the better part of his tenure in Detroit.
Win-now mock draft lands the Detroit Lions a sure-fire future Hall of Fame quarterback
The Lions were in what looked like win-now mode when Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn fully adopted the “Patriot Way”….the wins just didn’t actually come. Win-now mode and the Lions haven’t often collided in the same sentence, or been a viable play for whoever has been running the show.
But in this mock setting, we have to suspend a sense of reality and just have some fun.
With the second overall pick in Reuter’s win-now mock draft, the Detroit Lions select….
"Pick 2-Detroit Lions-QB Tom BradyThis is a 2022-only deal, so any concerns about age are alleviated. The Lions could grab Brady for his leadership and ability to run an offense."
With being a University of Michigan product as the root, Lions’ fans visions of Brady playing for the team have been far-fetched and a dream. But here, landing him can inspire some photoshopping.
Since it’s a full seven-round mock, here’s who else the Lions got in their hypothetical effort to win big in 2022.
Pick No. 63: OT Tyron Smith
Pick No. 66: LB Demario Davis
Pick No. 127: OG Brandon Scherff
Pick No. 130: DE Emmanuel Ogbah
Pick No. 191: DT D.J. Reader
Pick No. 194: WR Allen Robinson
As for where current Lions went in this win-now mock, we have defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (No. 173 overall–Pittsburgh Steelers), tight end T.J. Hockenson (No.174–Philadelphia Eagles), offensive tackle Penei Sewell (No. 202–Seattle Seahawks) and center Frank Ragnow (No. 224 to the Rams).