1 (2) DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
1 (12) WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
2 (46) DE Joshua Paschal, Kentucky
3 (66) LB Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma
3 (97) S Kerby Joseph, Illinois
5 (177) TE James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
6 (188) LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
6 (217) EDGE James Houston, Jackson State
7 (237) CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State

– If you told the Lions a month ago that they’d get Aidan Hutchinson at the 2, they’d be through the moon. Jacksonville made this decision easy.

It could be argued that one of the top offensive tackles was the better and more valued call – I’d make that case – but as insane as this sound, Hutchinson was a good-value get even at the 2. Combine him with Kentucky’s Josh Paschal from the second round, and problem solved.

– Jameson Williams is one massive call. Of course he’s talented and of course he’s got the talent to be special, but the Lions just passed up a possible franchise DT in Jordan Davis and – arguably – one of the five best players in the draft in S Kyle Hamilton to take the Bama target at the 12.

– What’s among the most notable parts of the Lion draft is what it didn’t do. Eight picks, no quarterbacks. There were plenty of good prospects who slid, and Detroit went to beef up other positions. Outside of Williams, it didn’t do anything else for the skill spots.

Best Value Pick: 3 (97) S Kerby Joseph, Illinois

Biggest Reach: 3 (66) LB Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma

Late Flier That Might Work: 6 (188) LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State

– Here comes what needs to be the franchise-changing draft. There were a few good moments late last season, there”s hope from parts of the last few drafts, and there’s still enough patience to be okay with a building job to be done.

There’s bulk from the free agency market to help the cause, but with three of the first 34 picks, the No. 2 overall, and five of the top 97 selections … let’s go.

– Lone wolf on this fight … Jared Goff isn’t all that bad. He’s a good enough quarterback to not force a pick at the position this year – especially considering the 2023 draft is loaded with top passers. The team just needs as many very good NFL parts as possible regardless of position, but …

– It can take a later flier on a quarterback, it needs more wide receiver help for Amon-Ra St. Brown and TJ Hockenson, and it needs a pass rusher. Getting the Rams pick at the 32 should help secure all three spots.

– So who’ll be there in the first round for Detroit? If Jacksonville doesn’t go with Michigan pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit will do it at the 2. Georgia’s Travon Walker or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux will be there to help the edge rusher issue. Then it’s all about value.

If the Lions really want to go quarterback, Matt Corral of Ole Miss, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, and North Carolina’s Sam Howell should be options – at least two of them should be – at the 32 or 34 – or they really can go the Best Player Available route.

Receiver-wise, Penn State’s Jahan Dotson, Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore, and North Dakota State’s Christian Watson should be around.

1 CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
2 RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
3 LB/DE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
3 OG Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
4 OG Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
5 WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
5 RB Jason Huntley, New Mexico State
6 DT John Penisini, Utah

2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings, Analysis
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LBs | Ss | CBs | 50 Greatest Value Draft Picks Ever
NFL Draft by college over last 5 years: 1-130 rankings