Credit: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
As the Detroit Lions wind down their week embedded at the Senior Bowl, here’s a fresh seven-round mock draft for the team.
The Detroit Lions coaching staff is leading the American team down at the Senior Bowl this week, with the game coming Saturday as the 2022 pre-draft process starts to really launch.
With two first-round picks and five of the first 100 picks once compensatory picks are locked in, the Lions are in a good spot to add a bushel of young talent to the mix. With needs across the roster, some of which could be greater when the dust settles on free agency, it will be hard to criticize the order of any draft pick set.
Using the draft order from Tankathon, and Pro Football Focus’ draft simulator, here’s a mock draft for the Detroit Lions to get you through the rest of Senior Bowl week.
Detroit Lions 7-Round Mock Draft: Senior Bowl Week
First Round
2
Kayvon Thibodeaux
DE Oregon
Lions fans would surely love to see homegrown Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson come aboard with the second overall pick. But he was gone at first overall here, so Thibodeaux is the pick. Thibodeaux’s raw sack production was not as good as Hutchinson’s in 2021, but his pressure rate was plenty good (17.8 percent, second-best in the country) as he registered seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
The Lions need to add to their pass rush. They shouldn’t be on the clock long here.
32
Malik Willis
QB Liberty
Willis is showcasing himself nicely down at the Senior Bowl this week, working on the roster led by the Lions coaching staff. He looked good in bad weather conditions during Wednesday’s practice, with the word “explodes” used by more than one analyst on-site down in Mobile to desribe how the ball comes out of his hand.
Willis lasting this long is trending toward being wishful thinking for the Lions. But he was there for the taking here, and I jumped at it. Come April, if there’s a quarterback general manager packages this pick and the next to move up and get, it might be Willis.