Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s a new full seven-round 2022 mock draft for the Detroit Lions.
After what looks to be a solid first draft class, Brad Holmes will go into his second draft in 2022 as Detroit Lions general manager with two first-round picks, and likely the first overall pick.
Even at positions of perceived strength (offensive line, running back, tight end), the Lions could add depth if their draft board falls that way. Beyond those aforementioned spots where there’s not an obvious need, more talent is needed everywhere else without much discrimination.
The Lions would have three of the first 33 picks if the draft were today. It’s not of course, but even a proverbial worst-case scenario would have them with three of the first 35 picks or so. In short, three impact players won’t be too hard to add.
Based on the current draft order, via Tankathon, here’s a new, full, seven-round 2022 mock draft for the Detroit Lions. Courtesy of an actual spin through The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine.
Detroit Lions: 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft
First Round
1
Kayvon Thibodeaux
DE Oregon
Fans surely would love to have University of Michigan defensive end (and Michigan native) Aidan Hutchinson in a Lions uniform and he has talked about the possibility in positive terms. But Detroit really can’t go wrong with he or Thibodeaux, who spent most of the college season anointed as the first overall pick come April.
Thibodeaux shook off an early season injury to have a productive 2021 campaign (seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss in 10 games). His upside is arguably higher than Hutchinson’s, so the Lions go that way.
24
Treylon Burks
WR Arkansas
Burks has surfaced elsewhere as a mock draft pick for the Lions with this second first-round pick, as they look to bolster their wide receiver corps.
Burks (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) had a big 2021 season for the Razorbacks, with 67 catches for 1,123 yards (fourth in the SEC) and 11 touchdowns. He has declared for the draft, and he will skip Arkansas’ bowl game.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah is a fan of Burks, with a comp to Tennessee Titans’ wide receiver AJ Brown.
It’s getting to a point where Burks may be off the board before the Lions go on the clock the second time on Day 1. But in this scenario, with some options at another position of need likely to last to the first pick of the second round, he was an easy pick here.