Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Michigan defensive back Dax Hill
A hybrid defensive back with elite speed and twitchiness, Michigan’s Dax Hill will look to bring his next-level explosiveness as one of the top back-end defenders in the 2022 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Wolverines’ athletic playmaker in the secondary:
Draft Wire’s latest 3 round mock retools the Detroit Lions defense with potential cornerstone players for the long haul
The NFL offseason has been one full of topsy-turvy moves that may leave you trying to remember where everyone went to. The Detroit Lions were relatively quiet in the free agency market, opting to re-sign most of the players from last season, rewarding them for their hard work. With DJ Chark being the most prominent outside name signed to Detroit, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell are building their team from the draft.
With the combine wrapped up and pro days continuing, teams are bringing in players they may want to get an up and personal look at with their 30 prospect visits. At this point, teams should have a general idea of what their draft board should look like.
Unlike last year, where you could’ve written the number one overall pick in pen right at the beginning of the season, there is no clear-cut prospect destined as the top selection this year. Instead, with the Jacksonville Jaguars selecting for the second consecutive year, the Lions destiny lays in the hands. From our brother site, Draft Wire, Luke Easterling hands in his latest three-round mock, starts by giving the Jaguars, a hometown favorite in Aidan Hutchinson, leaving the Lions with a complicated situation.
Easterling notes with the plethora of talent available, the Lions might look to trade down, but it takes two to tango. So perhaps a team gets eager and jumps up for a quarterback or one of the top tackles, but in this mock, they stay put and take a player who has surged up draft boards and maybe in the running as the top player selected, Georiga EDGE Travon Walker.
Travon Walker has been a popular choice for the Lions with his strong athletic showing from the combine and superior versatility. He is equally effective anywhere on and off the line. Some may point to his minimal production at Georgia, but he fits perfectly in what the Lions will be looking to accomplish on defense due to his athleticism.
With the Lions’ second first-round selection, Easterling has the Lions grabbing one of the most versatile players in the draft and happens to be in their backyard, safety Daxton Hill. He has shown he line up anywhere in the deep part of the field, in nickel and as a blitzer. Between him and Walker, they could make a strong 1-2 combo that could leave defenses confused on the defensive alignment due to the wide array of assignments he can accomplish.
Heading into the second round, the Lions grab a do-it-all receiver in Jahan Dotson from Penn State. Dotson can line up anywhere, giving the Lions flexibility on their offensive alignments, but with his top speed, crafty route running, and separation, the Lions could use more outside where they sorely lacked a receiver of his caliber last year and should help Jared Goff.
Shifting back to defense, Montana State linebacker Troy Andersen is the selection and should immediately help the middle part of the field. Coming into college as a quarterback, Andersen is still learning the position, but his instincts are second to none because of his intelligence on the offensive side of the ball. He processes sideline-to-sideline speed and has superior athleticism and urgency to make an impact quickly.
With the compensatory selection, we continue to retool the defense with the newer name most of us haven’t seen before in Tenneessee cornerback Alontae Taylor. You should get familiar with him because he screams a solid fit in the Detroit: defensive playmaker, high character, and swagger. He has strong athleticism that allows him to play in any system and a fluid hip to stick with receivers. He may tend to gamble too much, leaving plays on the field, but he is there when the ball is thrown more often than not.
The Lions needed some desperate need on the defensive side, and through this mock, they attacked every facet of that area. The input of talent with intelligent and athletic players could help the Lions compete not just this season but build those cornerstone players for the long haul.
Both Brad HOlmes and Aaron Glenn made the trip to Ann Arbor to see the Wolverines defensive prospects
Lions GM Brad Holmes didn’t have far to travel for a major pro day on Friday. Holmes and Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took the short jaunt out I-94 west to Ann Arbor for the Michigan Wolverines pro day workout.
The featured attraction is EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, and the big Detroit native did little to convince anyone otherwise. He is in definite consideration for the No. 1 overall pick, and the Lions at No. 2 have shown real strong interest in Hutchinson as well.
Hutchinson met with Glenn and Holmes after the workout, a meeting confirmed by numerous sources in attendance. They spent at least 20 minutes together. Hutchinson also did a full-length interview with Dannie Rogers of the Lions media team.
Hutchinson wasn’t the only Wolverine who should pique the Lions’ interest. Safety Daxton Hill is a great fit for Glenn’s split-safety defense and is a frequent projection in mock drafts for Detroit with the No. 32 or No. 34 overall pick. The Lions met with Hill during the NFL scouting combine.
Another top Wolverine prospect did not have a good day, unfortunately. EDGE David Ojabo went down with a lower leg injury that silenced the crowd. A likely top-25 pick, Ojabo suffered an audible pop and went down to the practice field turf in obvious pain and anguish.
Spotted David Ojabo on the way out of Michigan’s pro day. He was on crutches and in a walking boot with a wrap that went almost up to his knee.
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) March 18, 2022
He’s going to be an amazing pro! #GoBlue
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Daxton Hill came to Michigan football with much fanfare, as a five-star recruit who flipped to Alabama and back again on signing day in 2018. Like his brother Justice Hill, who played at Oklahoma State and now the Baltimore Ravens, the younger Hill was a three-and-out, seeing the field for three seasons before departing for the NFL.
Hill’s stock is on the rise after a solid performance at the NFL scouting combine earlier this month. He continued his ascent by having a solid pro day in Ann Arbor on Friday, improving on his vertical and broad jump numbers.
Pro Day Results for @daxhill5 #GoBlue // #ProBlue pic.twitter.com/2pOmxarN8t
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) March 18, 2022
Afterward, Hill met with the media to discuss his performance, sharing more on his preparation, his reaction to David Ojabo’s injury, and more.
Watch the bulk of his media availability below:
[mm-video type=video id=01fyf9dh8y2pwzq19ybc playlist_id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]
The Athletic released its post-combine 2022 NFL mock draft and the Detroit Lions pulled an interesting haul from the projections
One of the most popular and respected NFL draft analysts, Dane Brugler from The Athletic, has released his post-combine projections for the 2022 NFL draft. It’s an intriguing inside look at what the Detroit Lions might do come April.
This projection goes two rounds, and it starts off with a bang. The No. 1 overall player off the board to the Jacksonville Jaguars is North Carolina State OT Ikem Ekwonu, not Alabama’s Evan Neal or Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson. That leaves Hutchinson for the Lions and it makes for an easy projection,
Hutchinson didn’t do anything at the combine to hurt his draft standing as one of the best players in the class. While his 40-yard dash time was average, he led all front-seven defenders with a 6.73 three-cone and 4.15 short shuttle, which are both extraordinary numbers. To put those times in perspective, Von Miller posted a 6.70 three-cone, and Khalil Mack had a 4.18 short shuttle.
The Lions use the pick acquired from the Rams at No. 32 overall to secure a quarterback. But it’s not the typical QB projection of Malik Willis or Matt Corral or Sam Howell. This time it’s Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati. Brugler reiterates,
“The Lions have been doing their homework on several quarterbacks in this class, including a formal meeting with Ridder at the combine.”
At No. 34, the projection shifts back to defense and Michigan safety Daxton Hill. Given the available players and the dire need for safety help, it’s a perfectly logical pick.
Some interesting notes and observations on this mock…
[listicle id=74471]
10 takeaways from the top defensive back performances at #NFLCombine #NFLDraft #Sauce #SauceGardner #LewisCine #FlyEaglesFly
The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine has concluded after the defensive backs and special teams players put on a show of their own on Sunday.
Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner solidified himself as the top cornerback on the board, while Georgia Safety Lewis Cine also made himself some money at Lucas Oil Stadium.
UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen continues to rise up draft boards, while Baylor’s Kalon Barnes ran the fastest time among the group.
Here are 10 takeaways from Sunday’s defensive back performances.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid released his latest mock draft giving the Detroit Lions three new starters to push towards the 2022 season
After yet another successful Senior Bowl, the Detroit Lions were able to be up and personnel with some of the draft’s top talent and took advantage. The Lions were able to gauge the players, who may have opened some eyes in the process in hopes of elevating their stock.
The players may have not only impressed the teams in attendance but also possibly a few draftniks in the process. One is Jordan Reid from ESPN, who recently released a mock draft and gave the Lions three players who could immediately contribute next year.
Reid kept with the growing trend of slotting an offensive tackle to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the first overall pick, projecting Alabama’s Evan Neal. In turn, this leaves the Lions with their choice of the top edge rushers, either Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aidan Hutchinson, with the second overall selection.
Reid has the Lions selecting back-to-back Oregon players in his mock draft, with Thibodeaux as the selection. There will be a lot of back-and-forth between the two edge rushers, and at the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either one. Thibodeaux is superbly athletic, can bend for days, and will be a terror off the edge, giving the Lions a playmaker they desperately need on the defensive line.
When the Lions obtained Josh Reynolds off of waivers, you could easily see how more comfortable Jared Goff felt in the offense, and it would benefit the Lions if they obtained another playmaker. Reid does just that by slotting Penn State’s Jahan Dotson. Even though Dotson is more viewed as an outside receiver, he can play in the slot equally effectively as well. That gives the Lions a lot more flexibility on offense with T.J. Hockenson and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The Lions might see a shakeup at safety with Tracy Walker, Dean Marlowe, and C.J. Moore all hitting free agency, leaving a massive hole in the deep part of the field. Reid helps fill the hole with the selection of a local Michigan Wolverine product, Daxton Hill. Aaron Glenn will love to get a hold of Hill, who could be a chess piece on the field with the versatility to line up high or in the slot due to his blazing speed and natural instincts. It will give the Lions the ability to play matchup football and take advantage of any situation laid in front of them.
Reid addressed some of the biggest holes plaguing the Lions squad, which would be a dream scenario heading in the 2022 season. Nabbing two stud defenders and a versatile receiver will help catapult the rebuild for the Lions, who will look to turn this ship around in Detroit.
We now know his final decision after weeks and months of speculation.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Michigan football fans knew back in 2018 when Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington five-star safety Daxton Hill chose the Wolverines, it was likely only going to be three years of him in Ann Arbor. But, as the 2021 season wore on, fans hoped that perhaps he could come back for his senior year.
However, that dream is dead now.
On Thursday, Hill took to Instagram to thank fans, announcing that he’s declaring for the 2022 NFL draft.
I would like to thank God for placing me at the University of Michigan and for giving me an opportunity to represent myself and my family. My experience will be remembered forever because of how I was welcomed into the Michigan Family.
I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of the coaches who have invested in me along with my teammates and friends who have helped me get to this point in my career. Your encouragement has kept me motivated throughout my time here at Michigan and for that, lam extremely grateful.
I want to give a special thank you to my family for the strong support system you all have given me. Without your consistent love and support, I wouldn’t be half of the person I am today.
It’s been a long, unforgettable journey that I’ve had these past three years which has shaped who I’ve become. After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to enter the 2022 NFL Draft.
Thank you. #GOBLUE
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZ-rdYrRwD/
Without Hill, Michigan football will have some big shoes to fill. However, it has three safeties from the 2020 class still in RJ Moten, Makari Paige, and Jordan Morant, along with six defensive backs coming in via the 2022 recruiting class.
Hill played three years, but technically has two years of eligibility he’s leaving on the table.
[listicle id=56100]
Mock draft watch: Draft Wire throws major curveballs to the Lions in its latest 2022 projection
If you’re looking for a different set of projections than normal for the 2022 NFL draft, the latest offering from Draft Wire is right up your alley. Luke Easterling of Draft Wire throws a big curveball to the Detroit Lions with the No. 2 pick in the latest set of projections leading into Week 18.
After the Jacksonville Jaguars take Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson at No. 1 overall, the Lions don’t go with Kayvon Thibodeaux, Derek Stingley Jr., Kyle Hamilton or any defensive players. The projection here is Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett to Detroit at No. 2 overall.
It’s an interesting thought exercise and does anticipate the seemingly inevitable rise of the quarterbacks in the class,
Start getting comfortable with the idea of Pickett going higher than you might expect. He’s got many of the same traits that sent Joe Burrow flying up the board not too long ago, and a strong predraft process could easily convince a QB-needy team like the Lions that he can have the same kind of impact Burrow is having right now in Cincinnati.
The other Lions first-rounder, currently the No. 30 pick, is also dedicated to fixing the team’s anemic passing attack. Purdue WR David Bell gets the nod with the pick acquired from the Rams in the Matthew Stafford deal. Bell is often projected into the second round but it’s not out of range to see him go in the first.
In the second round, Draft Wire projects Michigan safety Daxton Hill to Detroit. The third round pick doubles up on secondary help with Alabama CB Josh Jobe.
[listicle id=70261]
Fingers crossed he can play! #GoBlue
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
DANIA BEACH, Fla. — The big question surrounding Michigan football in the past week is whether or not junior safety Daxton Hill will be available to play in the Capital One Orange Bowl against Georgia on Friday.
The day before the game, we finally got a little clarity.
It was discovered earlier in the week that Hill remained in Ann Arbor while the rest of the team made its way to South Florida. Michigan did not disclose the reasons as to why Hill did not make the trip.
On Thursday, head coach Jim Harbaugh said that the Wolverines will have a better idea on whether or not he’ll be able to play in the College Football Playoff semifinal later in the day.
“His status is going to be questionable,” Harbaugh said. “He’s working through something right now. We’ll know more today whether he’ll be able to play.”
[lawrence-related id=55827,55968,55971]
But does that mean that Hill has made his way to South Florida? Or has he yet to make the trip?
Harbaugh clarified, saying that he still hasn’t arrived, but if he’s cleared to play, he could be down in the area by later Thursday.
“He’s not right now. He might be,” Harbaugh said. “He could be here today. He may not. But not currently in Florida, no.”
[listicle id=56025]
