With the second overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected Michigan Wolverines DE Aidan Hutchinson. What will Hutchinson’s rookie contract look like, and where does he project into the Lions’ current depth chart?
Aidan Hutchinson drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions
Hutchinson was a first-team All-American selection in 2021 after registering a program-record 14 sacks. He was a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and a finalist for the Lott Impact, Lombardi, and Ted Hendricks awards as well as being selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He follows in the footsteps of Kwity Paye as a Michigan pass rusher being selected in the first round.
Hutchinson is the highest-drafted defensive player from Michigan in the common draft era. Charles Woodson was selected fourth overall in 1998.
Hutchinson’s projected rookie contract
Because Hutchinson was the second overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, this is what his projected rookie contract should look like. Contract numbers are from Over the Cap.
- Total Value: $41.4 million
- Signing Bonus: $27.3 million
- 2022 Base Salary: $705,000
- 2022 Cap Number: $7.5 million
Hutchinson’s strengths and areas to improve
Here is a snapshot of what the Lions will be getting with the selection of Hutchinson. For further information, check out Hutchinson’s full scouting report.
Strengths
- Has above-average explosiveness, lateral agility, and great twitch
- Uses fast, violent hand swipes to bombard opponents
- Has a strong anchor, good balance, solid flexibility, as well as excellent footwork and awareness
Areas for improvement
- Not a very efficient or fluid mover, stiff laterally
- His high pad level prevents him from attaining proper leverage at times
- Wasted motion, sometimes lacks coordination, and doesn’t always use his violent hands with precision
How does Hutchinson project in the Lions’ depth chart?
Hutchinson is the hometown kid from the University of Michigan. While the Lions didn’t necessarily need a pass rusher, the value was there in the 2022 NFL Draft. Hutchinson is an explosive and shifty pass rusher with developed hands and good power.
He also sets the edge well and will add great depth to the Lions’ already-built defensive line. They will still need to address wide receiver, but they are obviously building the foundation for their future quarterback.
When do the Lions pick next in the 2022 NFL Draft?
As of the time they drafted Hutchinson, the Lions have these remaining picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Round 1 (Pick 32 from Rams)
- Round 2 (Pick 34)
- Round 3 (Pick 66)
- Round 3 (Pick 97*)
- Round 5 (Pick 177*)
- Round 6 (Pick 181)
- Round 6 (Pick 217*)
- Round 7 (Pick 234 from Cleveland)
*Compensatory picks
For the full results and upcoming draft order, check out our pick-by-pick tracker for the 2022 NFL Draft.