Booher: Detroit Lions 2022 Mock Draft 4.0
With less than a month until draft day, teams across the NFL are making moves designed to set them up in the best position possible.
One of these teams is the New Orleans Saints, which made a blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia Eagles Monday, in which they swapped a series of picks.
Originally slated to hold the No. 18 overall pick, the Saints have acquired the No. 16 and No. 19 overall selections, while the Eagles will take New Orleans’ original choice. The deal also includes a variety of swapped picks throughout this year’s draft, as well as next year's.
In this hypothetical draft, we’ll assume that the Saints acquired these picks to package them and move up to the No. 2 overall selection, sending both the No. 16 and No. 19 picks, along with the No. 98 overall choice and a second-rounder in the 2023 draft, to move up to select Liberty’s Malik Willis.
In this scenario, what could the Lions do with all of these new picks?
FIRST ROUND
No. 16 overall – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
With their first selection, the Lions strike gold, as Wilson falls to the late teens. The former Buckeyes wideout has supreme body control and physicality that allows him to make a flurry of contested catches.
With his speed, Wilson is fully capable of taking the top off of defenses. He gives quarterback Jared Goff another reliable piece out wide, and could wind up being a big part of the Lions’ offense right from the start of his career.
The Lions re-signed Josh Reynolds, added DJ Chark Jr. and return budding star Amon-Ra St. Brown at wideout. Adding Wilson makes the unit even more explosive, and could create a unit that will be tough to stop.
Kyle Robertson, USA TODAY NETWORK
No. 19 overall – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Though Detroit made a commitment to a pair of linebackers, Alex Anzalone and Chris Board, in free agency, don’t think the train stops there. With a top linebacker available at No. 19, general manager Brad Holmes and company decide to swing big with the acquisition of Dean.
As a physical run-stuffer on one of college football’s all-time great defenses, Dean profiles as another instant contributor for a Detroit unit that was one of the league’s worst in 2021. Having this rookie will push the likes of Anzalone, Board and 2021 draftee Derrick Barnes.
© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
No. 32 overall – Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Thanks to his physical frame and athletic ability, Mafe has seen his stock rise throughout the offseason. With the Minnesota prospect still available at No. 32, Holmes secures a player at a position that is deep in this year’s draft.
While Detroit is unable to land prized in-state prospect Aidan Hutchinson, it can be at ease with Mafe. The former Golden Gopher had seven sacks in 2021, and is explosive coming around the edge.
He’s a player who could fit in well with Detroit’s new 4-3 scheme. He’s seen as someone who can play both with his hand in the turf, as well as while standing up. So, there’s some versatility to be explored.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
SECOND ROUND
No. 34 overall – Daxton Hill, CB/S, Michigan
Speaking of versatility, Hill is another former Big Ten athlete who can make an impact in a number of areas. Whether it be at safety or playing slot corner, the former Michigan Wolverines defensive back is capable of making the big play.
Detroit has a need for playmakers in the secondary. Specifically, the unit needs a player to pair with recently re-signed Tracy Walker III. In Hill, the Lions would get that in spades, with his ability to run with slot receivers and track passes over the top at safety.
THIRD ROUND
No. 66 overall – Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
Detroit nabs the top tight end in the draft class with its first selection of the third round. McBride slips a little farther than expected in this mock, but the Lions are okay with this as it allows them to get another young talent to pair with budding star T.J. Hockenson.
McBride is a physical in-line blocker who has plenty of pass-catching talent, as well. He was over 1,000 yards receiving last season at Colorado State, and was said to have run between a 4.53-4.56 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, according to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy.
This athleticism fits well with head coach Dan Campbell, who is a former tight end himself. Between McBride and Wilson, the Lions begin to build a powerful young offense.
No. 97 overall – Cam Taylor-Britt, CB/S, Nebraska
The Lions need secondary depth, and help address this with the selection of Taylor-Britt in the third round. Like Hill, the Nebraska product is a versatile piece who can do a number of things well.
He’s not as consistent as Hill, and had trouble with tackling, both in the box and in the open field. Yet, he ran a 4.38 40, and has the potential to develop into a solid depth piece. He plays well against the pass, and could wind up being a legitimate contributor with seasoning.
Barbara J. Perenic, Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY NETWORK
No. 98 overall – Neil Farrell Jr., DL, LSU
With the second of back-to-back picks, the Lions elect to add another young piece to the defensive line. After drafting Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill last year, Holmes adds Farrell to the stable of defensive linemen.
At LSU, Farrell was a solid defender in the trenches. He’s surprisingly quick for his size, and is adept at plugging run lanes. He’s another player that may be a project, but with time, he could become a top option.
FOURTH ROUND
No picks in this round
FIFTH ROUND
No. 177 overall – Smoke Monday, S, Auburn
Possessing one of the best names in the draft, Auburn’s starting safety goes off the board to the Lions in round five. This is the third defensive back the team has taken, signaling a commitment to boosting the talent crop in the secondary.
Monday was a very good run stopper, finishing 2021 with nine tackles for loss. And, he has experience on special teams that could prove valuable.
SIXTH ROUND
No. 181 overall – Josh Rivas, G, Kansas State
Detroit needs depth on its front line, which it would acquire with this sixth-round selection. Rivas did not allow a sack in 2021 on any of his 352 pass-blocking snaps, and was named an honorable mention All-Big 12 performer.
With Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Jonah Jackson still around, there’s no pressure to play him right away. However, as was made evident by the injuries on the Lions’ offensive line last season, that could change at any given time.
No. 217 overall – Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
With its final sixth-round selection, Detroit grabs a combine darling in Thornton. The Baylor product stole the show in Indianapolis, with his 4.28 showing in the 40. At 6-foot-2, he’s got good size to go with that blazing speed.
The issue with Thornton is that he’s very thin and raw. Talented as he may be, there’s some work to do. Despite this, the Lions can take a flier on the youngster, with hopes of developing him into something besides a special teamer, which is a role he could excel in.
SEVENTH ROUND
No. 234 overall – Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA
Holmes addresses his running back room with his final selection, opting to add a top group of five back in McCormick. The prospect made waves as a UTSA Roadrunner, twice producing seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards.
In McCormick, the Lions would get another player to compete with the likes of Jermar Jefferson, Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike for the final running back spot.
