The Detroit Lions have had a brutal 2021 NFL season thus far and there are major questions about the future of the franchise. After making a massive offseason trade to send Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, there are a ton of questions about what direction the team should head in next.

At this point in the season entering Week 11, the Lions have a 0-8-1 record after tying with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.

Jared Goff is the current starting quarterback for the Lions, and fans seem split about whether or not they should move forward with him. He has completed 66.1 percent of his pass attempts for 2,109 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Detroit hasn't given him a lot of weapons to work with, but the numbers aren't great.

Outside of Goff, the offense does have a very good running back duo in D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. They also have a few talented weapons in Amon-Ra St. Brown and T.J. Hockenson that they could work with and add to moving forward.

Defensively, the Lions have a lot of work to do. They have had trouble stopping every single team that they have faced. If Detroit wants to get back into playoff contention, they will need to make some moves in the offseason.

At this point in time, the Lions would have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft if the season ended today. That is subject to change, but it seems very likely that they will have a top-three pick. If that holds, Detroit could find a building block with that pick.

Let's take a look at three 2022 NFL Draft prospects that the Lions should already be targeting with their first-round pick.

2022 NFL Draft For Detroit Lions

3. Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame

Should the Lions choose to go this route with their first-round pick, they could snag him around picks No. 3 through No. 5. That means that if they were to get the No. 1 over No. 2 overall pick, they could consider trading down and picking up other assets.

Kyle Hamilton would be a huge addition for a secondary that has struggled badly over the last couple of years. During the 2021 season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Hamilton has racked up 34 total tackles to go along with three interceptions and four defended passes. He is a good tackler and a capable playmaker at the safety position.

Unfortunately, he has missed some time due to injury which has impacted his overall stat line. Hamilton may not be the best option available for the Lions, but he certainly could be an option and would improve the defense in a big way immediately.

2. Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh

Another option the Lions could consider with their top pick would be finding a new franchise quarterback. If they choose to go away from Goff, or even keep him around for just another season, Kenny Pickett out of Pittsburgh could be a good option. Pickett and Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral are projected to be the top two quarterbacks taken in this draft class.

Pickett has had a massive season for the Pittsburgh Panthers thus far, completing 67.5 percent of his pass attempts for 3,517 yards, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also picked up 231 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

The Lions need to figure out whether they believe in Goff as their long-term starter or not. Pickett would be a good option if the Lions are not comfortable with Goff moving forward. Once again, Detroit could probably trade down if they land the No. 1 pick to get Pickett should they choose to go that direction.

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1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Defensive End, Oregon / Aidan Hutchinson, Defensive End, Michigan

Finally, there is one player that the Lions should be targeting if they get the No. 1 overall pick. That player would be star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is currently projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. Thibodeaux would be the exact kind of defensive cornerstone that Detroit needs.

So far this season with the Oregon Ducks, Thibodeaux has recorded 34 total tackles to go along with six sacks and two forced fumbles. He stands in at 6-foot-5 and just under 260 pounds, and is a physically intimidating presence on the defensive line. That is the kind of player that Detroit would love to add to their defensive front.

Thibodeaux is one of two defensive ends available at the top of the 2022 NFL Draft. The other option for the Lions could be Michigan standout Aidan Hutchinson.

Hutchinson has compiled 42 total tackles to go along with nine sacks and two forced fumbles. Both defensive ends would be perfect additions for the Lions and they likely would not miss on either one of them.