The Lions built up the tight end room with their first pick on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft. James Mitchell of Virginia Tech joins the Lions as the No. 177 overall pick in the fifth round of the draft.
Mitchell is more of a “move” tight end who can also align in the backfield and operate as an H-back or even play fullback if needed. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound Mitchell had a strong 2020 campaign for the Hokies, catching 26 passes and scoring four TDs in nine games. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to build off the solid season.
Mitchell tore his ACL early in the season in 2021 and missed all but two games. Entering the year he was a player often seen as a potential riser into Day 2 of the draft, but the injury stymied his momentum. He is on track to be ready for training camp, so the Lions seem fine with his injury progress.
