3 reasons why Aidan Hutchinson was a great pick by the Detroit Lions
In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Michigan edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson. We look into why he was the best possible fit.
The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the door for the Detroit Lions’ dream to come true. With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jags selected Georgia’s defensive end, Trayvon Walker.
It didn’t take long for the Lions to run up with their card for the No. 1 player in the draft, Aidan Hutchinson. The Michigan Wolverines’ defensive end dominated the competition.
In his final season, Hutchinson racked up sack numbers and awards. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year led the Big Ten with 16 sacks. He’ll stay in Michigan and bring those pass-rushing skills to the Lions. Lions fans are undoubtedly ecstatic over the pick—for a few good reasons.
Aidan Hutchinson is the most complete defensive end
Aidan Hutchinson is a 6-7 260-pound edge rusher who can rush the passer and play the run. He has a good first step off the line and does a great job bending.
He dips and rips with the best of them and turns the corner with speed. At the line of scrimmage, he’s capable of winning with a variety of moves.
He does a great job at the point with powerful yet quick hands. Hutchinson lines up with a plan. If Plan A fails, he has a counter for it. He plays the run with intellect, strength, and power.
The former Michigan edge rusher keeps his head up and eyes in the backfield. He’s rarely fooled by play fakes or read options either.
Hutchinson fills a need
Edge rusher is a premium position in the NFL. The Lions have to play against arguably the greatest quarterback in the league, Aaron Rodgers.
The Vikings have an explosive offense with Kirk Cousins under center, and the Chicago Bears are looking to use their dynamic young quarterback to the best of his abilities.
Last season the Lions managed just 201 sacks. They needed a player who could get to the quarterback—Hutchinson is that guy.
Embodies the culture
Despite his production, Aidan Hutchinson still feels like an underdog. He’s talked about as a lunchpail type of walked—he’s all that and more. The 260-pound edge rusher is a tenacious tone-setting player.
He’s a powerful defensive end who’ll set the edge and get dirty in the run game. However, he’s a great athlete with a 36-inch in the vertical and 4.78 40, and an elite 3-cone time (6.73). Even with all that, his athleticism wasn’t respected.
After all, the Jags opted for a guy with better traits. The Lions are looking to rise from the ashes and they’ll do it on the back of the No. 2 overall pick.