If Aidan Hutchinson is still on the board when the Lions pick at No. 2 overall, it would seemingly represent a perfect fit between the Michigan product and a rebuilding team in need of young cornerstones. The Lions will do more homework on the Heisman finalist, with SI.com’s Albert Breer noting (via Twitter) they will meet with Hutchinson next week.
The Lions will also meet with another top prospect ahead of the Hutchinson visit. Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton is set to visit this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. It would be a surprise if the Lions went with Hamilton, considering his position, but the former Fighting Irish standout has secured meetings with five of the eight teams holding top-10 picks.
[RELATED: Hamilton In Danger Of Falling In Draft?]
Hutchinson is also meeting with the Giants and Jets this week. It would be a surprise if the former Michigan pass-rushing dynamo made it past the Lions at 2. The Jaguars are favored to select the defensive end first overall. That would put the Lions to a decision. Both ESPN.com’s Todd McShay and NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah have Jacksonville taking Hutchinson and Detroit going with Georgia D-lineman Travon Walker. Hutchinson’s college production laps Walker’s, but the latter showcased elite athleticism at the Combine. A defensive end often used inside as well, Walker made a Detroit visit recently. Hutchinson is a Michigan native who played high school football in a Detroit suburb.
The Lions have also been connected to Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux at 2 but are keeping their options open. The pick is for sale, and GM Brad Holmes would be OK parting with it before the draft.
No team has used a top-two pick on a safety since the first Browns iteration selected Eric Turner second in 1991. The Lions have the Okwara brothers at defensive end, but after cutting Trey Flowers and not making a notable addition in free agency, the team certainly needs edge-rushing help. Detroit re-signed safety Tracy Walker this offseason, giving the 2018 draftee a three-year deal worth $25MM, and used Will Harris as a 17-game starter last season. Pro Football Focus graded Harris poorly in 2021, however.
If there is any chance that Will Harris can be just used as a special teams player that would be a help in Detroit. That being said, I hope the Lions stay clear of Hamilton at pick 2.
If Hutchinson is there at 2 and there isn’t a huge trade on the table, he really has to be the pick.