The Detroit Lions head into the 2022 NFL Draft with plenty of capital at their disposal. With three picks in the top 34 selections and five picks in the top 100 selections, the Lions have an opportunity to plenty of talent to a roster that lacks it. However, they didn’t wait for the draft to add talent to the team. Detroit re-signed two of their own on defense, bringing back safety Tracy Walker and edge rusher Charles Harris. The Lions also added wide receiver DJ Chark from the Jacksonville Jaguars and cornerback Mike Hughes from the Kansas City Chiefs. Even after their moves in free agency, the Lions have several holes on the roster to fill.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 2: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Detroit could take the best player available with all their picks as the roster is full of holes. However, the Lions would love to pick Aidan Hutchinson with this selection. Unfortunately for Detroit, the Jacksonville Jaguars will likely take Hutchinson with the first overall pick. Instead, they turn their attention to Walker. While Kyle Hamilton is an option, the Lions will probably pass on the former Notre Dame star after re-signing Walker. While he didn’t put up massive sack numbers during his time at Georgia, Walker was a force rushing the passer when given a chance. He would step in as a rookie and lead the team in sacks.
For more on Walker, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 1, Pick 32: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Unfortunately, Ojabo suffered a torn Achilles at his pro day, and his 2022 season is in jeopardy. After the league watched Cam Akers return from a torn Achilles, Ojabo could still end a top-20 pick. However, the Lions should snatch him up if he slides to this pick. He might miss his entire rookie season, but Ojabo has as much upside as any edge rusher in the draft class. Ojabo finished with 11 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss in his final season at Michigan. Drafting Walker shouldn’t keep the Lions from snagging Ojabo with this pick. With Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Justin Fields in the division, the Lions need as many high upside pass rushers as possible.
For more on Ojabo, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 2, Pick 34: Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State
Many believe the Lions could target a quarterback with this pick. However, that doesn’t make sense for Detroit, as the 2023 quarterback class should have several excellent prospects. Rather than wasting a pick on a quarterback here, the Lions should spend it on a weapon for the future signal-caller. Amon-Ra St. Brown was a steal in the fourth round last year, but he is the only wide receiver on the roster with a guaranteed future in Detroit. While the Lions added Chark in free agency, he signed only a one-year contract. Adding Dotson would give Jared Goff another reliable wide receiver for next season. In his final season at Penn State, Dotson had 13 total touchdowns despite terrible quarterback play.
For more on Dotson, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 3, Pick 66: Jamaree Salyer, iOL, Georgia
After spending their first-round pick last year on Penei Sewell, the Lions have one of the best young offensive lines in the NFL. Detroit has invested three first-round picks on the offensive line in Sewell, Taylor Decker, and Frank Ragnow. They also spent a 2020 third-round pick on Jonah Jackson at left guard. However, Halapoulivaati Vaitai is slated to start at right guard and could use some competition. Salyer has good reactive athleticism and body control. He is a force in the running game and moves defenders with ease. Detroit’s strength on offense is their running game and offensive line. Adding Salyer will only make both all the better.
Round 3, Pick 97: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
The Lions shouldn’t use an early-round pick on a quarterback. However, they have to take one of the top six guys if they slide to the end of day two. A month ago, no one would have thought Strong would slide to the third round. Yet, after all the quarterback movement this offseason, he could slide to the Lions with this pick. Goff played well enough last season to deserve the starting role in 2022. However, he isn’t the franchise quarterback for the Lions. Strong has a history of knee injuries that could impact his draft stock. If the medical comes back clean, he could be the steal of the draft. Over his final two years at Nevada, Strong had 63 passing touchdowns and only 12 interceptions.
For more on Strong, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 5, Pick 177: Josh Thompson, CB, Texas
Detroit didn’t make a splashy move at cornerback, opting not to make an offer to J.C. Jackson in free agency. However, they did add Hughes and will get back Jeff Okudah after he tore his Achilles last season. Despite that, the Lions could use more depth at the cornerback position. Meanwhile, Thompson had a solid career at Texas, playing meaningful snaps since his freshman season. He scored his only career touchdown last season on a pick-six. Furthermore, Thompson is an excellent run support cornerback and can make tackles in space. His physicality also gives him the potential to play some snaps at safety. Thompson would be a solid depth addition for the Lions.
Round 5, Pick 181: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
T.J. Hockenson is one of the better young tight ends in the NFL. He is coming off a career year despite missing several games with a hand injury. However, the depth behind him is super thin. Brock Wright filled in for Hockenson when he went down with the injury. Unfortunately for the Lions, Wright had only 12 receptions as an undrafted rookie. While the Lions don’t need to spend an early pick on the tight end position, they should take advantage of the depth this year. Over his final two years at Nevada, Turner had 1,282 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns. While he likely will never turn into a starter, Turner would be a massive upgrade as Detroit’s No. 2 tight end.
Round 6, Pick 217: Verone McKinley, SAF, Oregon
After re-signing Walker, the Lions have both their starting safeties under contract for next year. However, Will Harris is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the depth at safety is thin. Unless the Lions add a veteran safety in free agency before the draft, they need to address the lack of depth on day three, and McKinley would be an excellent target. He is a good athlete and has excellent quickness in coverage. McKinley also has superior ball skills, totaling 11 interceptions over his final three years at Oregon. However, he is inconsistent at times and can get caught out of position. Yet, his upside is too good to pass up at this point in the draft.
Round 7, Pick 234: Britain Covey, WR, Utah
The Lions added Chark in free agency. They also re-signed two of their own wide receivers in Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond. However, Detroit lacks a slot receiver behind St. Brown. Despite his small frame, Covey was productive during his college career. Covey played a role in both the run and passing game. He finished with 66 total touches for 613 scrimmage yards in his final year at Utah. More importantly, Covey is a dangerous return specialist, averaging 11.9 yards per punt return and 25.4 yards per kick return in his college career. He also scored a touchdown once every 25 returns. Covey is a slam dunk pick for any team this late in the seventh round.
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