In the first 2022 mock draft from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, the Lions get their quarterback of the future.
With the Senior Bowl, which the Detroit Lions coaching staff will be at, in sight, it’s mock draft season for 2022. Daniel Jeremiah, a former NFL scout who works for NFL Network, has issued his Mock Draft 1.0.
With the second overall pick, after the Jacksonville Jaguars pull a bit of a surprise and take Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal No. 1, Jeremiah has the Lions taking Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson had a great final season at Michigan to put himself in the conversation to go first overall. He spoke about his fit with the Lions, citing how it’d be great to start his NFL career in his home state.
Jeremiah spoke to the nice fit as well.
The Lions shouldn’t waste any time turning in the card if the Jags pass on Hutchinson. The Heisman Trophy runner-up is a perfect fit for their needs and the culture they are building.
Lions get quarterback of the future in Daniel Jeremiah’s mock
With their second first -round pick, tabbed 29th overall, Jeremiah has the Lions taking Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.
The Lions’ situation would be perfect for Willis: Jared Goff can handle the starting duties until the LIberty passer is ready to play. I love Willis’ arm strength and athleticism, but he needs to clean up his decision-making and accuracy. He has the most upside of the QBs in this class.
Some Lions’ fans will quickly lament taking a quarterback with that second first-rounder. An early second-round pick (No. 34 overall) will provide a chance to take a signal caller if they pass on one in the first round, so what’s the difference of five picks?
While it would be tough to pass on certain positions if there’s a player worthy of that second first-round pick, taking a quarterback there provides the extra contract control of a fifth-year option. That said, if you’ve gotten to the point where it has become a real question about picking up the option and/or signing that quarterback to a contract extension, you likely didn’t draft the right guy.
In any case, the Lions can go almost any direction with their second first-round pick and not be wrong. Taking a quarterback, and having that quarterback be Willis, is just one of many possibilities.