Assorted 2022 NFL Mock Drafts

[MBGreen]

Starting to think Aidan Hutchinson is a serious possibility for the Lions at 1.

Why?

[Andrew Ryan]

Why?

He's arguably had the best performance of any defender in college football this season, has gotten hyped more than seemingly any other prospect recently, and, to top it off, he goes to Michigan and grew up within a half hour of Ford Field. The last part admittedly shouldn't be a deciding factor in who to take with the #1 pick in the draft but these are the Lions... and it would be by no means a terrible pick... the guy's a legit top-5 prospect.

[Heismanberg]

the guy's a legit top-5 prospect.

He's a top 2 prospect.

It's Thibodeaux, Hutchinson, and then everyone else

[Andrew Ryan]

He's a top 2 prospect.

It's Thibodeaux, Hutchinson, and then everyone else

Hopefully one of them will be wearing green and white next season.

[MBGreen]

He's arguably had the best performance of any defender in college football this season, has gotten hyped more than seemingly any other prospect recently, and, to top it off, he goes to Michigan and grew up within a half hour of Ford Field. The last part admittedly shouldn't be a deciding factor in who to take with the #1 pick in the draft but these are the Lions... and it would be by no means a terrible pick... the guy's a legit top-5 prospect.

I hope we draft either one. I was just curious if something surfaced where he was the clear-cut #1 prospect now.

[Andrew Ryan]

I hope we draft either one. I was just curious if something surfaced where he was the clear-cut #1 prospect now.

Nah. Just me trying to read the tea leaves...

[Badger]

He's arguably had the best performance of any defender in college football this season, has gotten hyped more than seemingly any other prospect recently, and, to top it off, he goes to Michigan and grew up within a half hour of Ford Field. The last part admittedly shouldn't be a deciding factor in who to take with the #1 pick in the draft but these are the Lions... and it would be by no means a terrible pick... the guy's a legit top-5 prospect.

He's a top 2 prospect.

It's Thibodeaux, Hutchinson, and then everyone else

For reference, I've seen some people argue that Thibs isn't on the same level as Garrett/Bosa Bros/Young as a prospect, but this is the first time I've seen anyone put Hutch ahead of him (obviously due to his ongoing performance).

[Heismanberg]

For reference, I've seen some people argue that Thibs isn't on the same level as Garrett/Bosa Bros/Young as a prospect, but this is the first time I've seen anyone put Hutch ahead of him (obviously due to his ongoing performance).

He is every bit as good as those prospects.

I’d put him ahead of the Bosas.

[reuben]

Man I'd love to see the Lions or Texans fall in love with a quarterback. 

[Badger]

Man I'd love to see the Lions or Texans fall in love with a quarterback.

This is what I've been hoping for.

[Andrew Ryan]

This is what I've been hoping for.

Impossible to rule out, especially if ownership gets involved...

[MBGreen]

Man I'd love to see the Lions or Texans fall in love with a quarterback.

Lions are definitely a possibility...but Texans, I think they still have a hard-on for Davis Mills

[Johnny English]

Man I'd love to see the Lions or Texans fall in love with a quarterback. 

Lions only have one more year of wearing Goff's contract, after the 22 season he's a $10M hit if they cut him so a QB is feasible.

Texans are impossible to read because everything revolves around Watson. I still don't think the door is completely closed on him in Houston, especially if there's no viable market.

[Andrew Ryan]

There will be a viable market for Watson as soon as his legal issues are resolved (if they're resolved). If they're not, the Texans will be looking for a new quarterback anyway. Watson will never play another game for Houston.

[Johnny English]

There will be a viable market for Watson as soon as his legal issues are resolved (if they're resolved). If they're not, the Texans will be looking for a new quarterback anyway. Watson will never play another game for Houston.

OK, but if that's true then their ability to trade him massively impacts their draft strategy. If his legal issues get resolved and he's clear to play, the return is significant and the Texans are spending like a sailor with a shore pass. If they don't and they can't trade him, then they have to think much more carefully about what they do in the draft and MB's point about thinking seriously about what they already have becomes far more likely. So they're still impossible to call right now, because without a slam dunk QB prospect in the draft their strategy is still completely up in the air.