Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into Week 18’s action, here’s a full seven-round 2022 mock draft for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions will first pick no lower than No. 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, with a chance to get back to the No. 1 overall pick if they lose and the Jacksonville Jaguars somehow beat the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18.
In any case, the Lions will have two first-round picks, three of the first 34 picks and five of the top-100 picks in April’s draft. They are well-positioned to stock the cupboard with some more young talent, with another extra first-round pick coming in 2023 from the Los Angeles Rams via the Matthew Stafford.
Shy of a few spots that look good, the Lions basically can’t go wrong in the 2022 draft in terms of positional need or value. Heading into the season finale, here’s a full seven-round mock draft for the “Motor City Kitties.”
Note: Draft order comes from Tankathon.
Detroit Lions 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft
First Round
2.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
DE Oregon
If the Jaguars to with Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal at No.1, the Lions will have their pick of the top two edge rushers in this draft class. Aidan Hutchinson was indeed available here too, but I went with the upside of Thibodeaux.
Despite being a little banged up at times, Thibodeaux finished his final season at Oregon with seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 10 games. Detroit’s pass rush gets an injection of serious talent here.
30
Carson Strong
QB Nevada
In a class of quarterbacks that isn’t impressive in terms of elite talent, the Lions still take their potential quarterback of the future in the first round here.
Strong had a nice final season at Nevada, with nearly 4,200 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 70 percent completion rate. A knee injury came back to bother him at one point late in the season, and a knee issue dating back to high school could become a concern for NFL teams.
But don’t expect Strong to fall too far. He’s got prototypical size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and elite arm strength. If the Lions coaching staff coaches in the Senior Bowl, they will get a valuable closer look at Strong down in Mobile.