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Heading toward Divisional Round weekend, here’s a new three-round 2022 mock draft for the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions coaching staff will get a nice jump start to the pre-draft process by taking part in the Senior Bowl in a couple weeks. With a list of needs that is pretty broad, if only for depth purposes in some cases, this year’s draft haul ultimately won’t be easily criticized in a big picture sense.
The biggest question in the 2022 draft for the Lions rests on the quarterback position. This year’s crop of signal callers is not all that well-regarded, though time will surely tell if that broad evaluation was right or wrong. Will Detroit use an early pick on a quarterback, wait until a bit later or completely disregard the position?
Heading toward Divisional Round weekend in the playoffs, here’s a three-round mock draft for the Detroit Lions, using Tankathon’s draft order. Note: I actually did this mock on Pro Football Network’s simulator.
Detroit Lions 3-Round Mock Draft
2
Kayvon Thibodeaux
DE Oregon
At No. 2 overall, the Lions should have their pick of whoever falls to them out of Aidan Hutchinson or Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux has better raw tools than Hutchinson, who had far more sack production in 2021. But the former Duck also had the second-best pressure rate in the country (17.8 percent), with 12 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. With Hutchinson going No. 1 to Jacksonville in this mock spin, the Lions go with Thibodeaux.
28
Malik Willis
QB Liberty
Willis is a raw prospect, but he may also have the most upside of any quarterback in this year’s draft class. His arm talent is off the charts, he can throw on the move very well and outright move the chains as a runner (over 1,800 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns over 23 games at Liberty).
With Jared Goff all but certainly not going anywhere next season as a placeholder, the Lions can bet on potential and upside with a quarterback in this draft if they think one is worthy with the idea that guy will totally take over in 2023. Their next pick, early in the second round, is also a possibility to take a quarterback. But with a nod to obtaining a fifth-year option, first round it is here and Willis is the pick. The Lions coaching staff will get a close look at him down at the Senior Bowl.