Detroit and the Lions are hosting next week's NFL draft, with preparations ongoing in the heart of the Motor City to set things up for fans, the media and draft prospects.
The theatre in Cadillac Square is almost complete, with a viewing grandstand set up across the street in Campus Martius. As Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket put it, NFL regalia and draft promos are everywhere on the streets of Detroit. That's to be expected though, with one of the NFL's tentpole events coming to town. The Lions being a good team only adds to the anticipation.
One of the cornerstones of the Lions' rise over the last couple seasons is defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is of course also a Michigan native and a University of Michigan alum who grew up a Lions' fan.
Hutchinson being passed on by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the first overall pick two years was a sign the Lions' fortunes might be changing. To say nothing of what he has done over his first two seasons, including earning the first of what seems sure to be many Pro Bowl selections in his career last season.
Aidan Hutchinson mural goes up in downtown Detroit ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
The Cadillac Tower is adjacent to the area where the draft will be staged in downtown Detroit, literally casting a shadow over the spot. So there was sure to be some sort of draft-related promotional thing on the side of the building that's visible from the area where the draft will be, effectively overlooking the proceedings.
On Monday, it was seen.
An update from downtown Detroit. Aidan Hutchinson will be overseeing next week’s draft. pic.twitter.com/gSThov4CHe
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) April 15, 2024
Above the image of Hutchinson are the words, "Dreams Get Made Here." It's a perfect tag line, given Hutchinson's Michigan roots and the fact he was drafted by the Lions. Starting next Thursday night, plenty of NFL "dreams" will be realized right in downtown Detroit.