The drama and discord that has kept Detroit on pins and needles during NFL draft season finally ended when commissioner Roger Goodell announced Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson as the Lions pick at No. 2 overall.
Hutchinson, a Detroit native, made the most sense to the most people making the decision for the Lions. The 6-7, 260-pound Hutchinson is a wildly impressive athlete with outstanding power and great quickness. He can play on either side of the formation and offers the potential to play as a stand-up OLB or a hand-in-dirt DE depending on the scheme. For a team like the Lions that wants to mix up looks, it’s a great fit.
Hutchinson’s motor and consistent improvement should instantly endear him to Lions fans as well as head coach Dan Campbell. He absolutely fits the “kneecap-biting” mentality Campbell espouses, and he does so with some technical refinement that should allow him to be an impact player right away.
The Lions chose Hutchinson instead of a few other worthy candidates, including Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Cincinnati CB Sauce Gardner, Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton, Florida State EDGE Jermaine Johnson and a slew of offensive tackles. Arguments were made for Liberty QB Malik Willis, though the Lions weren’t ready to make that risky of a decision with the boom/bust talent. It’s fair to judge Hutchinson against the outcomes of those other players, though situation matters so much in career outcomes.
Adding a true top-tier pass rusher fills a big need for the Lions. He has the potential to make everyone around him better. Returning EDGEs Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris now have a true catalyst to play off of instead of trying to manufacture everything on their own. Hutchinson’s instincts in the run game and length at the line of scrimmage offer him additional ways to impact the opposing offense even if the pass rush isn’t as dynamic as hoped right away.
The Lions made the safe choice instead of a bolder, riskier player. Don’t mistake that for believing that Hutchinson lacks a high ceiling; he’s an athletic freakshow in his own right and has proven his game can continue to grow.
