Detroit Lions: 3 best offseason additions in 2022

Detroit Lions top offseason pickup: DE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)

As Peter King of Football Night in America pointed out after the fact, Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes didn’t really waste a lot of time on the first day of the 2022 NFL Draft when it came to making his decision.

The team was in the market for pass rush help and University of Michigan standout Aidan Hutchinson was there to be taken. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had this to say about the 2021 Heisman Trophy runner-up.

"“Defensive end prospect with a can’t-miss combination of football character, skill and physical traits who is more likely to contend for occasional Pro Bowls than become an All-Pro playmaker. Hutchinson’s strength and flexion allows him to drop a deep anchor and set a very firm edge, and that is unlikely to change as a pro whether he’s used in 4-3 or 3-4 fronts… He needs to add a few more items to his rush menu in order to maintain his rush production against NFL tackles. Hutchinson is scheme versatile and should be a very good starter with a very high floor, but his ceiling might not be as elevated as some of the talent he’s been compared to.”"

Only the Atlanta Falcons (18) and Philadelphia Eagles (29) totaled fewer sacks than the Lions (30). Meanwhile, Hutchinson totaled 14 sacks in his final season with the Wolverines.