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The latest 3-round mock draft from our friends at Draft Wire goes down some familiar roads for the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL draft. But the picks also blaze a couple of potential new trails. The projections reflect some new perceptions around the league about how the top of the draft might play out.
The hot new theory is that the Jacksonville Jaguars will select Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the No. 1 overall pick. This mock goes with Neal at the top, leaving the Lions to choose between Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson and Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux. And these projections go down the Hutchinson path.
Nearly every current mock has one or the other. Draft Wire rolls with Hutchinson,
The Lions are likely to punt on this year’s quarterback class, opting to ride with Jared Goff for another year while stocking up on talent elsewhere. It’s a tough choice here between Hutchinson and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, but the former has is a more well-rounded player right now.
The beaten path takes a new turn to Southern California with the second Lions’ first-round pick. With the selection acquired from the Rams in the Matthew Stafford trade, Detroit tabs USC wide receiver Drake London. Though he ended the year injured, London had an outstanding 2021 campaign and also meshed nicely with Lions top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for the Trojans in 2020.
This draft road veers back to Ann Arbor with the second-rounder. Safety Daxton Hill rejoins forces with Hutchinson a few miles to the east of the Wolverines program. To help with the receiving corps even more, the third-round road leads to Nevada and smooth WR Romeo Doubs.
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