Ranking Detroit Lions biggest draft gems of the last decade

4. DE Aidan Hutchinson: First Round (No. 2 overall), 2022

Fortune smiled big on the Lions when the Jacksonville Jaguars passed on Hutchinson to take Travon Walker No. 1 overall in the 2022 draft. With a need at edge rusher, not to mention him being a Michigan native and a University of Michigan product, a more ideal fit could not have been found.

The Lions turned in the card with Hutchinson's name on it so quickly the NFL did not like it. Not that Dan Campbell cared, citing an unwillingness to take part in the "whole dog and pony show" as the league wants draft drama for the sake of its television partners.

Hutchinson had 9.5 sacks as a rookie, and he did even better with 11.5 sacks last season. He has quickly become one of the best edge rushers in the league, with room from improvement that he has cited himself.

3. TE Sam LaPorta: Second Round (Pick No. 34), 2023

The Lions had a great need at tight end after trading T.J. Hockenson, and it was a lead-pipe lock they were going to come out of the 2023 draft with one. They took LaPorta early in the second round, despite the generally-regarded No. 1 tight end in the class (Michael Mayer) still being available.

It absolutely worked out, better than could have been expected off the bat. LaPorta set every single season record for a Lions' tight end as a rookie, along with setting the new record for receptions by a rookie tight end in league history (86).

LaPorta is on a trajectory to be regarded as the best tight end in the NFL within the next couple years. There's not much more to be said.