It was only a matter of time.
The discussion surrounding the Detroit Lions and their second pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has shifted dramatically. Positioned as an overwhelming favorite to be the first player selected, Aidan Hutchinson no longer seems an option for Detroit. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Hutchinson’s chance of being the number one draft pick as of this writing was -280.
Without the crutch of a local player going to his hometown organization, mock drafts have begun to entertain the idea of other players going to Detroit. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Kyle Hamilton and Travon Walker appear to be the most popular names to be taunted by the Lions when Hutchinson is the first player off the board to Jacksonville.
Speaking of mock drafts, let’s get into that. This year I use Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Machine to compile my designs, which is completely free to use, allows you to make trades, and perhaps most importantly, is routinely updated with new player rankings to reflect how prospects are rated.
Round 1, pick 2: QB Malik Willis
Back in February, I outlined why it would be wise for the Lions to draft a quarterback with their second overall pick. Many believe Jared Goff is a bridge quarterback on the road to bigger and better things, but without a succession plan in place, Detroit isn’t taking full advantage of this opportunity. Should the Lions call up Malik Willis, they would put that plan into action and be ready to hit the ground running in 2023.
It’s no secret that Willis takes some time adjusting to a professional offense. He also needs some time to break the bad habits he picked up playing behind a porous offensive line at Liberty. But as The Athletic’s Chris Burke pointed out in an article last week, the strengths of Willis’s game – explosive arm strength, a strong runner who can lengthen plays and move the ball around the field with his arm or legs – align well him offensive identity Dan Campbell and new offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are trying to establish themselves in Detroit.
Round 1, Pick 32: EDGE Boye Mafe
Coincidentally, since the Lions improved that position with their first pick, there are still some EDGE players available at 32. USC’s Drake Jackson and Penn State’s Arnold Ebiketie are also contenders, but after showing up at the Senior Bowl—I mean really show-and Then smash the combineMafe’s perk is just too much to pass up.
The usual thing you hear from Draftniks is that he’s a developmental talent that will take some time before he matures into a three-down player, but Detroit has both the patience and the staff to bring him along.
Round 2, Pick 34: S Lewis Cine
Safety is arguably the biggest need for the Lions heading into the draft, where Detroit could really use an upgrade — even after Tracy Walker re-signed to a three-year contract.
Versatile is the buzzword everyone loves to use for potential clients, but Cine’s ability to play deep and in the box is one and the same. His football IQ is as high as any security candidate in this class, as the clip above shows, and Detroit would be thrilled to add a player of his caliber at 34.
Round 3, pick 66: LB Brandon Smith
The news that Damone Clark needs spinal fusion surgery to repair a herniated disc takes one of the mid-round options off the table for a Lions team that needs immediate contributors at the position. Luckily, this design has a few other options, but at this point, they won’t come without some work.
Penn State’s Brandon Smith is the new breed of linebacker we’ve seen in recent drafts. Its size, 6 feet 3 and 250 pounds, and sporty profile at Linebacker are incredibly unique and allow him to queue for over 200 snaps in the slot like in 2020. The Nittany Lions sent him to MIKE last season, and there was a learning curve Smith has yet to master before he becomes a three-down linebacker. But in the meantime, his athletic qualities make him a potential dynamo for special teams and a gold pack for the team that designs him.
Round 3, Pick 97: WR Wan’Dale Robinson
The Lions have some interest in Robinson, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Holmes played patiently when it came to wide receiver position. With the signings of Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond and the signing of DJ Chark, the Lions have a respectable group of pass catchers, albeit one that could still benefit from an upgrade.
Robinson was a choice in a previous mock of mine, but I think he makes even more sense now that Detroit has its ‘X’ recipients in Chark and Reynolds for now.
Round 5, Pick 177: TE Daniel Bellinger
Detroit’s addition of Garrett Griffin was the addition of a familiar body in a position of need. However, it doesn’t do much to change their short- or long-term plans to improve the position.
Bellinger’s athleticism meets many criteria, but in the state of San Diego, as a pass catcher, he didn’t prove much of a threat. However, he showed his mentality and talent as a blocker with the Aztecs. Pairing him with TJ Hockenson could be the perfect landing spot for Bellinger as Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson look to use more two-tight ends looks on offense.
Round 6, pick 181: CB Marcus Jones
It’s unclear exactly what Detroit’s cornerback room will look like in August, when players like Jeff Okudah and Jerry Jacobs are both recovering from injuries that cost them their 2021 season. Detroit added Mike Hughes as a quasi-veteran to bolster the Lions’ depth on the outside corner in case Okudah and Jacobs aren’t quite ready early in the season.
I really like Houston CB Marcus Jones
I could imagine him being a legitimate slot CB in the NFL with extensive experience guarding teams WR1 in college.
Extremely physical and his size doesn’t limit his abilities – 6’3 vs 5’8 here pic.twitter.com/0Op4AC8MeN
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) March 25, 2022
Houston’s Marcus Jones has some limitations to overcome when it comes to his height, but clips like the one above show how his athleticism allows him to play taller than his height. Jones also brings value in the second leg, a place currently held by Caliph Raymond but definitely open to competition.
Round 6, pick 217: OG Chris Paul
A developmental piece for offensive line coach Hank Fraley, Paul has the athleticism and the physique Becoming a next level Guardian but he still needs some time to work on his technique.
The Lions have re-signed Evan Brown, and the team will bring back both Logan Stenberg and Tommy Kraemer, but Paul could impress at camp and make the team — or head down the development track on the team’s practice squad.
Round 7, Pick 234: WR Isaiah Weston
This late in the draft, you’re taking chances with players your staff think they can develop, but for many late-round recruits, serving on special teams is the clearest route to rostering.
Despite playing for FCS, Weston’s size and speed make him wonder if, given the right situation, he could become the next small school success story. At this point in the design, it’s worth the risk.