Why Mel Kiper Believes Lions Taking DE Kayvon Thibodeaux Would Be Risky

Safety Kyle Hamilton being drafted by the Detroit Lions is gaining strong momentum.

If defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the top pick, the Detroit Lions could turn to defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. 

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper told reporters he believes the Lions would be taking a chance that Thibodeaux does not live up to expectations. 

“There’s more risk with Thibodeaux than I’d like for a No. 2 pick because there’s no guarantee he’ll grow into his immense upside,” Kiper wrote in his latest mock draft. “I’d prefer a safer pick here, and I’ve come around to the fit of Hamilton in Detroit, which my guy Todd McShay has pushed for a little bit."

Kiper expressed to reporters that former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton is a "rare and unique talent."

Hamilton would be quite the polarizing draft selection for the Lions and general manager Brad Holmes.

Many pundits believe selecting a safety with the No. 2 overall pick does not provide enough value for a team investing in a player that high. 

“I would say probably 90% Hutchinson at Pick 1,” Kiper said. “But there’s that remote chance Jacksonville could still take an offensive lineman, which would push Hutchinson to the two. If he goes one? I have Kyle Hamilton, the safety from Notre Dame, who is a unique, rare talent going to the Lions at two."

If selected in the top three, Hamilton would be the first safety taken that high since Eric Berry back in 2010. 

“He has really good instincts. He tackles well," Kiper said. "The eight career interceptions, he missed seven games this past year, he would have probably had 10 career interceptions or more. He’s a guy -- I think for the way the game is played today, he’s a guy defensive coordinators are going to really like."