The Detroit Lions must use the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to boost their defense.
Last season, they finished 30th in sacks with 30.
Likewise, they have viable skill guys on offense like D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and T.J. Hockenson.
However, their approach will heavily depend on what the Jacksonville Jaguars will do at number one.
The top overall selection boils down to two men: Georgia’s Travon Walker or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson.
Therefore, the Lions can select whoever the Jaguars don’t pick.
They would have no trouble beating the clock because the process of elimination made the decision easier for them.
But there’s no certainty yet on who the Jaguars will pick at number one, even if sportsbooks gave favorable odds for Walker.
If that happens, the Lions would have no problems turning in their card, as NBC Sports’ Warren Sharp revealed.
"I would not be surprised to see Travon Walker go #1…
which would leave Aidan Hutchinson to stay in the state of Michigan. Detroit would be ecstatic. I would imagine the Lions would run to the podium to turn in the card."
Adam Schefter just now on NFL Live
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 27, 2022
Sharp tweeted a quote from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Schefter said, “I would not be surprised to see Travon Walker go #1. which would leave Aidan Hutchinson to stay in the state of Michigan. Detroit would be ecstatic. I would imagine the Lions would run to the podium to turn in the card.”
The Hometown Boy Could Be The Lions’ Savior
It sounds like a Hollywood script, but the entire state will be triumphant if Hutchinson falls to number two.
Born in Plymouth, Michigan, the 21-year-old edge rusher attended high school at Divine Child in Dearborn.
He played college football for the Wolverines, wherein he became a Unanimous All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten last season.
Hutchinson also won the 2021 Ted Hendricks Award for being the nation’s top defensive end.
The Lions hope that he can replicate the success he had at Ann Arbor and bring terror to opposing quarterbacks.
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