With three picks in the top 34 selections of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions are major players in the offseason’s marquee event. Which direction the Lions went at the top and bottom of Round 1 was always destined to alter the outcomes of all 31 other franchises. Here, we take a look at the haul of picks made by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions draft picks in 2022
- Round 1 | Pick 2
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan - Round 1 | Pick 12
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama - Round 2 | Pick 46 (from MIN)
Josh Paschal, EDGE, Kentucky - Round 3 | Pick 97
Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois - Round 5 | Pick 177
James Mitchell, TE, Virginia Tech - Round 6 | Pick 188 (from SEA via JAX and PHI)
Malcolm Rodriquez, LB, Oklahoma State - Round 6 | Pick 217
James Houston, LB, Jackson State - Round 7 | Pick 237 (from NO via PHI)
The Lions entered the draft with two first-round selections, their own (No. 2), and the Los Angeles Rams’ (No. 32), acquired in the Matthew Stafford/Jared Goff trade. Detroit entered with the luxury of multiple first-round picks and then the turnaround second pick on the second day of the draft. Capital like that was surely set to fill a bevy of needs.
Aidan Hutchinson was the first selection of the first round for the Lions. They were gifted the pick after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travon Walker at No. 1 overall. Detroit then moved back up in the first round, trading with the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions sent pick Nos. 32, 34, and 66 to Minnesota for pick Nos. 12 and 46.
Detroit selected Alabama WR Jameson Williams. A pure speed receiver with incredible speed, Williams is on pace or ahead of his recovery timeline from a torn ACL suffered in January. He’ll present a mismatch against any cornerback he faces.
Detroit Lions 2022 NFL Draft Team Needs
It’s difficult to say the Detroit Lions still need a wide receiver despite shelling out $25.5 million across just five total years of deals to three different receivers during free agency so far. But it’s the truth. The Lions need a quarterback to throw the ball to these new receivers, but they shouldn’t be done adding playmakers outside.
In news from what seems like every year over the past 15, the Lions could use some athleticism at the linebacker position. Additionally, they could use another receiver to finish rebuilding after signing DJ Chark to a one-year deal.
Quarterback will be the biggest question. Can the team convince fans to stick around for another year of Jared Goff while waiting to continue building the foundation around their hypothetical future QB? Dan Campbell has grown a lot of fans, but how long does that last? — Dalton Miller
- Quarterback
- Wide Receiver
- Linebacker
- Cornerback
- Offensive Line