Open Rants by kkunert327

2022 Draft Grades: Detroit Lions

1 (2) - Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan -  B- 

• I will be the first to tell you I’m not totally high on Hutchinson who to me feels like a fine player, but not a great one. In any other draft he might have been a top 20 pick, but not a shoe in top 5 one like he was in this one. Yes, he plays with high energy and pretty good athleticism, but he lacks that extra that makes guys like Chase Young and Myles Garrett possess. I get that the Lions couldn’t have passed him up being a Michigan man nor do I think anyone else would have made sense besides maybe one of the corners. All in all not a bad pick, but not a great one either in my opinion. 

1 (12) - Jameson Williams WR Alabama -  A- 

• I’m normally not huge in trading up most times in the draft, but all in all the Lions only really gave up an extra 3rd rounder to move up here. The only reason why I knock this pick a bit more is the fact that Williams might not even play this year, but I guess the Lions are prepared for possibly another rough season. However, I do sort of like their moxy to move up and get who many believe would’ve been the top receiver had he not been injured. He does give them a speedster across from Amon-Ra St.Brown who is more of the true boundary option. It just sucks for Lions fans since this feels like what will be yet another long rebuilding season as they go through one more season of Jared Goff. 

2 (14) - Josh Paschal DE Kentucky -  B 

• I feel like it needs to be pointed out that the Lions moved up 20 picks to select Jameson Williams, but only moved back 12 picks in the 2nd with their trade with the Vikings. That feels like a huge win seeing as how only losing the 3rd rounder was the only true asset they lost. In any case, I like Paschal a lot as a steady high floor type talent who can work inside, outside, or standing up thanks to his size and strength. He feels like another more of a high motor than high athleticism guy like Hutchinson. I do like the fact that they seem to have something with Hutchinson, and Paschal to pair with last year’s tackles Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike to make out a pretty solid young defensive front. I just would’ve liked to see them swing for a higher upside option or a corner instead.

3 (33) - Kerby Joseph S Illinois -  A 

• I really liked this pick. They have had a huge need at safety for quite awhile now or their secondary in general to be honest. Joseph is a unique long and athletic safety with a lot of range. His best trait is his ball skills which will be a welcomed sight on a pedestrian defense. I can see him being a possible Day 1 starter here too. All in all another solid pick to help out their improving defense. 

5 (34) - James Mitchell TE Virginia Tech -  C+ 

• This pick doesn’t wow me at all, but it does make a lot of sense. They really don’t have a good back up option behind T.J. Hockenson if their talented former first round tight end goes down. Not that I think Mitchell can fill his shoes or anything, but he does offer more talent and upside than their current bunch. I just would have rather seen a corner or another receiver here instead. 

6 (9) - Malcolm Rodriguez LB Oklahoma St -  A

• This feels like a Dan Campbell type pick here with Rodriguez being an ankle biter type player in the middle of the defense. Despite some size limitations the former Cowboy linebacker just has his nose in on every play and looks to be giving it his all on every down. He was a sleeper among a lot of scouts to be a good to great find in the later rounds of the draft. With such a lack of high end talent at the linebacker position it would not be shocking at all if he carves out a nice role right away in his rookie season. 

7 (16) - Chase Lucas CB Arizona St -  C 

• Honestly I hate grading guys on Day 3, but I’m more so grading the team, not really the player most times. Corner to me was a huge need for this roster and not to land one until the 7th round seems negligent. However, it seems like they are committed to a long term build so maybe next year they solve that after focusing on the pass rush and linebacker unit with this draft. 

Overall: B+ 

I didn’t hate what the Lions did with this draft. With a tough 2nd overall pick where not many players made sense besides Hutchinson or a corner they went after the local guy, which makes total sense. I wasn’t ever a huge fan of his, but I get they probably didn’t have a choice, but to take him. They followed it up with sneaking up to the 12th pick to take Jameson Williams. Which could end up haunting the Vikings if they see Williams destroying them twice a year once he gets healthy. My favorite pick has to be Malcolm Rodriguez who I can see being a solid contributor as a rookie very quickly. Along with Kerby Joseph who should be a ball hawking talent in the back end of their defense. 

Overall, you can definitely see that this draft was mostly about putting together a core for their defense. The duo of Hutchinson and Paschal should be key contributors right away and possible building blocks up front. While Joseph is a solid Day 1 starter as a late 3rd rounder and Rodrigue as mentioned could be a huge steal. My biggest issue was their inability to help out their secondary a bit more by finding a better corner. I also felt like they played it a bit safe with high floor guys. All in all we can all tell they are still a year or two away from competing and should be in line for another high pick next year. Hopefully they will be in targeting range of Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud in next year’s class.