The Detroit Lions finished 3-13-1 in Dan Campbell‘s first season at the helm. The fanbase had to watch its former franchise QB, Matthew Stafford, hoist the Lombardi Trophy last Sunday. The QB they acquired back in trade, Jared Goff, is inadequate at best.
The Detroit Lions are currently slated to make ten picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. With holes up and down the roster, all 10 could have a realistic shot to make the team.
Using the Mock Draft simulator from NFL Mock Draft Database, I went through the entire draft and selected the players that I believe can help the Jags get back on track. For this simulation, I used the consensus big board accumulated by NFL MDD, with the realistic draft mode setting.
Let’s see how it plays out.
DETROIT LIONS: 7-ROUND MOCK DRAFT
1-2: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The ceiling for Kayvon Thibodeaux is sky high. Around draftnik circles, however, is seemingly prospect fatigue setting in on him. Don’t be fooled. This is just because he has basically gone coast-to-coast during this process as the top overall prospect. Thibodeaux will be a stud off of the edge in the same vein as those that have come before him in previous years like Myles Garrett, Chase Young, and the Bosas
1-32: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Sam Howell had a down year in 2022 compared to his previous years in Chapel Hill. perhaps this was due to most of the skill players in 2020 being drafted last year. Be that as it may, Howell was arguably the most consistent of the six quarterbacks during Senior Bowl week. The Detroit Lions acquired this pick in the Stafford to LA trade last offseason. How fitting that they may draft his permanent replacement with it.
2-34: David Bell, WR, Purdue
Bell was a tremendously productive player at Purdue during his three seasons in West Lafayette. He has great size and body control. Bell has good hands and runs stellar routes. Chris Brown of Smart Football had a great comp for Bell today. I trust his reaction.
he’s keenan allen
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) February 17, 2022
3-66: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
Jalen Pitre has excellent closing speed and ball skills. There weren’t many safeties that stood out at the Senior Bowl. However, Pitre was one of them. The former star at Baylor had four career picks and returned two for touchdowns in 2020. It would be hard to imagine a scenario where Pitre wasn’t a starter during the Detroit Lions 2022 season if he was selected here.
3-97: Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee
The former Volunteers DB is a versatile cover man. Taylor can take reps on the outside, in the nickel, or he can even line up at free safety. He had four career interceptions at Tennessee and had another during the Senior Bowl game. A game in which he was coached by this Lions staff.
THE REST OF THE DRAFT
5-176: Aaron Hansford, LB, Texas A&M
6-179: Thomas Booker, DL, Stanford
6-217: Jerreth Sterns, WR, Western Kentucky
7-231: Ty Chandler, RB, North Carolina
7-239: Austin Allen, TE, Nebraska
PREVIOUS TEAM MOCK DRAFTS
JAX –