Aidan Hutchinson Happy Jaguars Passed on Him in 2022 Draft
Entering his second NFL season, there is no question that Detroit Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson is right where he belongs.
The stars aligned perfectly for Hutchinson on draft night in April of last year, allowing the Michigan native to fall into the laps of his hometown Lions at No. 2 overall.
Only one team stood in the way of Hutchinson donning the Honolulu Blue: the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit's joint practice opponent this week.
Instead of drafting the ex-Wolverines defensive lineman, the Jaguars opted to select Georgia EDGE Travon Walker with the No. 1 overall pick.
Despite being passed up by Jacksonville, Hutchinson told reporters Wednesday that he holds no hard feelings toward the Florida-based AFC South franchise.
"I’m happy here. Very thankful, very thankful," Hutchinson expressed Wednesday, at the Lions' Allen Park practice facility. "I mean, it all worked out. It was divine timing. The way things went was the way things were supposed to go.”
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson is happy that the Jaguars selected Walker, but still heaped praise upon Hutchinson for his solid rookie season.
“Obviously a great player. Did our due diligence and really studied him and all the top EDGE rushers last year. And, the way he came out and played obviously in our game and the way he, what 9.5 sacks last year? Just a great performance for a young player, and obviously, the sky’s the limit," Pederson said about Hutchinson. "He’s just going to continue to get better, and he really makes that defense a little more solid."
Hutchinson outperformed Walker in year No. 1. He suited up for all 17 games, and most notably produced 9.5 sacks, which led all rookies in 2022. Meanwhile, Walker played in 15 games for the Jaguars, and amassed 3.5 sacks.
A season ago, Hutchinson – a product of Dearborn (Mich.) Divine Child High School – also compiled three interceptions, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. And, in doing so, he became the first rookie in NFL history to produce a season with at least 7.5 sacks, three interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries.
As a result of his impressive first year, he finished as the runner-up for the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
It was a season to remember for Hutchinson, and now the hope is that he carries over his success from year No. 1 to his sophomore campaign in the NFL.
If his start to training camp this summer is any indication of things to come for the second-year pro, then he should be in store for another productive campaign. He has once again looked the part of a productive pass-rusher, and he put in a good week of practices last week against the Giants.
The 23-year-old did miss Monday’s practice with an ankle injury, and has been sick in recent days. However, he returned to the practice field on Wednesday, and took part in one-on-one reps with the Jaguars.
Lions third-year head man Dan Campbell loves the fact that the joint practices provides Hutchinson and his teammates with an opportunity to line up against another team's players in camp.
"I just think you get unbelievable work, and the intensity that you do get, it’s hard to duplicate, particularly in this point in camp with your own guys. You’re trying, you want to. But, man, when you bring in fresh blood, it’s just different, and it’s great for our guys," Campbell said of the joint practices. "And there again, I mean (Lions offensive tackle Penei) Sewell, you go against 'Hutch' every day, it only makes you better.
"But, at some point, you learn each other’s (tendencies) -- and to find a new opponent that does something a little different. Like this (Jaguars OLB) Josh Allen is going to bring something a little different. This is some speed, speed off the edge. And, we know Travon and those guys with the length. It will be good.”
Hutchinson, for one, is looking forward to a big 2023 season.
"I think the sky’s the limit for me,” he said after Wednesday's practice. “I really feel that. I haven’t even scratched my potential yet. I feel like I’m still stacking the days, getting so much better every day. Man, it’s going to be a fun year.”
