Possible scenarios for Lions 2022 NFL draft

It's clear that the Lions are in trouble. After a slow start, it seems that the Lions process is going to be even longer than we imagined. This off-season Lions fans refered to this process as "Re-tooling" rather than a "Rebuild". That was what new GM Brad Holmes said it was going to be. Now it's clear, this is no "Re-tooling" process, but a full blown batten down the hatchets rebuild...

The Lions set themselves up well for the rebuild, trading franchise Quarterback Matthew Stafford, to the LA Rams. In exchange the Lions recieved 3 picks. A 3rd round pick in last seasons draft, and Most importantly two first round picks that can be used to select players in the 2022/2023 NFL draft. 4, 1st round picks in two seasons is exactly what a team like Detroit needs. The draft is the perfect tool for a successful rebuild.

If the season ended today, the Winless Detroit Lions would hold the first overall pick. They will also have the 5-1 Rams pick. If Detroit did have the #1 pick, Lions fans feel confident that they will draft Oregon EDGE Rusher, Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, is a 6' 5", 258 pound, nearly unlockable, one man wrecking crew. He instills fear into college Quarterback's similar to what Rams DT' Aaron Donald has done in the NFL in his career. Kayvon is climbing up the NFL ranks at the same university as 2021 Lions 1st round pick, Penei Sewell. They were teammates in 2019. He has 14 sacks in his 2.5 year career as a Duck. That includes a shortened 2020 season. Only downside to Detroit drafting Kayvon would be it's not their biggest position of need.

Another player on Lions fans radar is Liberty Quarterback, Malik Willis.

Malik Willis is 6' 1", 225 pounds. He has a very unique playing style. There is only two players to compare him to, Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick. Most similar to Jackson, he is a duel threat to any defense. Lightning fast, with an akward running style. Very difficult to blitz. He is considered a Heisman trophy candidate this season. He transfered from Auburn University in 2019 to play for the Flames. he has been very impressive in his college career, 35 passing TD's, 3,971 yards. He has scored 25 career rushing TD's and has rushed for 1,908 yards. He is on pace for more than 1,000 rushing yards this season. He would be a great addition to a good Lions running game which currently is being ran by D'Andre Swift, Jaamal Williams, Jamar Jefferson.

Perhaps the biggest positional need for Detroit is in their secondary and both Saftey, Kyle Hamilton or CB, Derek Stingley could help them.

Kyle Hamilton has a chance to be the first Saftey picked in the top 5 of the NFL draft since 1992, when the Green Bay Packers chose Terrel Buckley. Hamilton is the captain on Notre Dame's defense. Best thought of as a high tempo, playmaker. In the middle of his 3rd season he has 8 career interceptions. He even has a passing TD in 2019. That was the only pass he threw in college. He would fit in great playing alongside Lions Tracie Walker, who is in the middle of a career year with the Lions.

I could easily see the Lions taking LSU, Cornerback Derek Stingley, especially if they win a few games and end up dropping back to 5-7 on the draft board. He is also concidered a play maker and a captain for his defense. 6' 1", 190 pounds, he stays right with the reciever all the way down field and he is a great route runner.

With the Lions Jeff Okudah, a top 3 draft pick in 2020 by Detroit continueing to have issues staying healthy and having a UDFA in Jerry Jacobs as your starter, drafting a Corner doesn't sound so bad right now. If they did draft him it will be interesting to see if it is Okudah or Oruwariye starting in 2022.

With the potential of Detroit holding the #1 overall pick, perhaps the best move would be to trade back and grab more picks.

Here's a trade scenario for the Lions. If Malik Willis were to become the #1, maybe #2 prospect in the draft and Detroit has the 1st overall pick, they can trade that pick to a QB desperate team that is interested in Willis. For example... In last seasons draft the Chicago bears traded from 20th to 11th to draft QB Justin Fields and the Giants recieved an extra 1st round pick in 2022 for it. In this case however the 1st overall pick will hold greater value. The Lions could be looking at a 2023 1st, the recieving teams 1st in the 2022 draft and maybe a 2nd or 3rd, depending on how far back on the board the recieving teams is. This is personally my favorite option.