With the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions ended weeks of topsy-turvy speculation and selected Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson.
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Georgia EDGE Travon Walker at No. 1 overall, which left the two primary options — Hutchinson and Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux — debated about for the Lions. In the end, the Lions front office and coaching staff opted to go with Hutchinson.
It’s a fine choice. Hutchinson produced elite athletic testing for a 6-foot-7, 260-pound defensive end. At Michigan, Hutchinson dominated college football in 2021 enough that he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. He registered 14 sacks, 16.5 TFLs and 62 total tackles for the Wolverines in 2021.
The Lions go on the clock again at No. 32 overall.