The Detroit Lions are in a unique position to make drastic improvements to their roster in the 2022 NFL Draft. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out, as this franchise will welcome any talent they end up selecting. We take a look at what the Lions might do with our very own mock draft.
We should see this front office take a balanced approach and stack up the roster on both sides of the ball. Considering how many needs this team has, that would be the smart decision for the Lions. We'll see how it plays out, but Detroit will aim to make a splash with nine total selections in the draft this year.
With that said, here is our full Detroit Lions 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Lions 2022 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1 – 2nd Pick Overall: Aiden Hutchinson (EDGE)
The Jacksonville Jaguars might be taking Aiden Hutchinson number one overall, but there is a chance they go another route. If that happens, the Lions should jump on the opportunity and take Hutchinson second overall. He's been a beast throughout his collegiate career and is arguably the best player overall in the draft.
Round 1 – 32nd Pick Overall: Jalen Pitre (CB)
Detroit has the pleasure of double-dipping in the first round of the NFL Draft. At 32nd overall, the Lions should consider taking the top available player off of the board. That makes Jalen Pitre an excellent candidate for this franchise, as he's been a stellar corner in college. With their second pick in the first round, this team could walk away with one of the top available cornerback prospects this offseason.
Round 2 – 34th Pick Overall: Leo Chenal (LB)
The Lions have a dire need for a linebacker and could be in play to select a legitimate prospect. Leo Chenal has proven to be a consistent tackle machine who plays downhill. He'd give Detroit a nice boost in run-stopping while having the potential to become a star in a few years.
Round 3 – 66th Pick Overall: Jalen Tolbert (WR)
We're bound to see the Lions take a wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft, but it's not like they're desperate either. However, Jalen Tolbert would be a smart pick at 66th overall, as he has the potential to be a solid slot receiver in the NFL.
Round 3 – 97th Pick Overall: Kellen Diesch (T)
This team is actually fine at offensive line, but they could use a young depth piece to improve that group. Kellen Diesch has been a decent offensive tackle for the Arizona State Sun Devils and could be a great addition to the Lions. He might not start right away, but Detroit would have an improved offensive line moving forward.
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Round 5 – 177th Pick Overall: Malcolm Rodriguez (LB)
Playing for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Malcolm Rodriguez has been a decent linebacker. He needs to develop at the professional level, but he's the type of knee cap-biting player Dan Campbell would love to have on the Lions' defense. Additionally, he could be a solid special teams player before developing into a more prominent role on the defense.
Round 6 – 181st Pick Overall: Otito Ogbonnia (DL)
The Lions have a chance to add some legitimate depth on the defensive line and Otito Ogbonnia would be a great prospect for Detroit to select. He might be someone who hits the practice squad for a year or two, but the coaching staff should have Ogbonnia marked on their draft boards.
Round 6 – 217th Pick Overall: Josh Rivas (G)
Another offensive lineman prospect that could one day become a more prominent role player. The Lions have a solid offensive line, so we'd likely see Josh Rivas go to the practice squad. His best bet is to become a legitimate role player for a franchise, which makes him the perfect fit for Detroit in the long run.
Round 7 – 234th Pick Overall: CJ Verdell (RB)
D'Andre Swift will be the main running back for the Lions for years to come. In fact, Detroit is probably fine at running back. Regardless, if CJ Verdell is available, the front office could reel in an experienced running back to challenge for a depth spot on the roster. He was a strong runner for the Oregon Ducks and would be an excellent decision for this franchise in the seventh round.
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